Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Literary
February 13, 1767
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
An essay critiquing human credulity, where people easily believe and shift based on reports. It attributes false rumors to detraction (calumny) and loquacity (talkativeness), which delude the public. Ends with Latin: 'Malice gives the start to rumor, talkativeness its growth.'
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
ENTERTAINMENT.
An Extract thought suitable to the Times.
On CREDULITY.
I HAVE often thought the Generality of Mankind ready to receive any Impression. to believe any Account, whether founded on Truth or Falsity, apt to change by the most trifling Incident on this Side, and as ridiculously weak again to the other, judging according to Report ; and on that alone whether sufficiently valid or not, place their Credit : so inconsistent is their Disposition, so inconsistent their Passion, and so prone are they to believe whatsoever is promulged, that even if any Thing new should arise as contradictory to what might have before said, they will immediately embrace it, and be now as fervent and censorious against the Insufficiency of a former Report, as before they were Fautors and Adherers to it : Such is the implicit Faith, with Regard to every Thing reported, that so evidently shews itself amongst the Generality of Mankind.
Detraction and Loquacity are the two impelling Motives. which so often occasion Reports, and inflame the Minds of the Publick. with so many incoherent and false Rumours. A Man endowed with a Spirit of Calumny.is never deficient in inventing Falsities :-by this his reigning Passion feels a most sensible Delight. and no sooner is another of the same STAMP acquainted with what is made Publick, but he, in order to give the most pleasing Gratification to his Desires, never fails of propagating what he has been acquainted with, by Expressions couch'd in more calumnious and dishonourable Terms, than he himself primarily received them,—The loquacious or talkative Man, never weighs his Expressions before he utters them whether they are detrimental or beneficial either to the Publick, or this, that, or the other Man it matters not to him ; his Passion, when the least Opportunity offers, must be gratified : A too fond CREDULITY furnishes him with Matter, and a Volubility of Tongue with delivering his Sentiments ; By this the Ears of others are inflam'd. and a Report by him so nourish'd prevails. Thus the Publick is deluded, by Reports, first engendered, and propagated by the slandering Backbiter, and talkative Coxcomb.
Initium famæ dat malignitas, incrementum Loquacitas.
An Extract thought suitable to the Times.
On CREDULITY.
I HAVE often thought the Generality of Mankind ready to receive any Impression. to believe any Account, whether founded on Truth or Falsity, apt to change by the most trifling Incident on this Side, and as ridiculously weak again to the other, judging according to Report ; and on that alone whether sufficiently valid or not, place their Credit : so inconsistent is their Disposition, so inconsistent their Passion, and so prone are they to believe whatsoever is promulged, that even if any Thing new should arise as contradictory to what might have before said, they will immediately embrace it, and be now as fervent and censorious against the Insufficiency of a former Report, as before they were Fautors and Adherers to it : Such is the implicit Faith, with Regard to every Thing reported, that so evidently shews itself amongst the Generality of Mankind.
Detraction and Loquacity are the two impelling Motives. which so often occasion Reports, and inflame the Minds of the Publick. with so many incoherent and false Rumours. A Man endowed with a Spirit of Calumny.is never deficient in inventing Falsities :-by this his reigning Passion feels a most sensible Delight. and no sooner is another of the same STAMP acquainted with what is made Publick, but he, in order to give the most pleasing Gratification to his Desires, never fails of propagating what he has been acquainted with, by Expressions couch'd in more calumnious and dishonourable Terms, than he himself primarily received them,—The loquacious or talkative Man, never weighs his Expressions before he utters them whether they are detrimental or beneficial either to the Publick, or this, that, or the other Man it matters not to him ; his Passion, when the least Opportunity offers, must be gratified : A too fond CREDULITY furnishes him with Matter, and a Volubility of Tongue with delivering his Sentiments ; By this the Ears of others are inflam'd. and a Report by him so nourish'd prevails. Thus the Publick is deluded, by Reports, first engendered, and propagated by the slandering Backbiter, and talkative Coxcomb.
Initium famæ dat malignitas, incrementum Loquacitas.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Credulity
Detraction
Loquacity
Rumors
Calumny
Public Delusion
Literary Details
Title
On Credulity.
Subject
An Extract Thought Suitable To The Times.
Key Lines
Such Is The Implicit Faith, With Regard To Every Thing Reported, That So Evidently Shews Itself Amongst The Generality Of Mankind.
Detraction And Loquacity Are The Two Impelling Motives. Which So Often Occasion Reports, And Inflame The Minds Of The Publick. With So Many Incoherent And False Rumours.
Initium Famæ Dat Malignitas, Incrementum Loquacitas.