William Paley Quotes on Knowledge
William Paley was an English Anglican clergyman, philosopher of religion, and moral philosopher and for half a century one of the most read writers in British religious thought. This page collects quotes attributed to William Paley on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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“The infidelity of the Gentile world, and that more especially of men of rank and learning in it, is resolved into a principle which, in my judgment, will account for the inefficacy of any argument, or any evidence whatever, viz . contempt prior to examination.”
A View of the Evidences of Christianity (1794). | Variant: There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all argument, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance. This principle is, contempt prior to examination. As quoted or paraphrased in Anglo-Israel or, The British Nation: The Lost Tribes of Israel (1879) by Rev. William H. Poole. A simil -
“A View of the Evidences of Christianity (1794).”
The infidelity of the Gentile world, and that more especially of men of rank and learning in it, is resolved into a principle which, in my judgment, will account for the inefficacy of any argument, or any evidence whatever, viz . contempt prior to examination. -
“Vol. I, Book II, Ch. V.”
God, when he created the human species, wished their happiness; and made for them the provision which he has made, with that view, and for that purpose. -
“Vol. I, Book II, Ch. XI.”
Some excuse seems necessary for the pain and loss which we occasion to brutes , by restraining them of their liberty, mutilating their bodies, and, at last, putting an end to their lives (which we suppose to be the whole of their existence), for our pleasure or conveniency. The reasons alleged in vindication of this practice, are the following: that the several species of brutes being created to p -
“Wanton, and, what is worse, studied cruelty to brutes, is certainly wrong.”
Vol. I, Book II, Ch. XI. -
“Vol. I, Book II, Ch. XI.”
Wanton, and, what is worse, studied cruelty to brutes, is certainly wrong.