be
admired and respected by men; we shall be in the right way to be loved
by those who rule over us, and respected by those who serve us; we
shall be truly happy in this world, and we shall have nothing to fear
in the next.

These are laws so clear, so demonstrable, and whose infraction is so
evidently punished, whose observance is so surely recompensed, that
they constitute the code of nature of all living beings, sentient and
reasoning; all acknowledge their authority; all find in them the
evidence of Deity, and consider those as sceptics who doubt their
efficacy. The Freethinker does not refuse to acknowledge as
fundamental laws, those which are obviously founded on the God of
Nature, and on the immutable and necessary circumstances of things
cognizable to the faculties of sentient natures. The Indian, the
Chinese, the savage, perceives these self-evident laws, whenever he is
not carried headlong by his passions into crime and error. In fine,
these laws, so true, and so evident, never can appear uncertain,
obscure, or false, as are those superstitious chimeras of the
imagination, which knaves have substituted for the truths of nature
and the dicta of common sense; and those devotees who know no other
laws than those of the caprices of their priests, necessarily obey a
morality little calculated to produce personal or general happiness,
but much calculated to lead to extravagance and inconvenient
practices.

Hence, charming Eugenia, you will allow mankind to think as they
please, and judge of them after their actions. Oppose reason to their
systems, when they are pernicious to themselves or others; remove
their prejudices if you can, that they may not become the victims of
their caprices; show them the truth, which may always remove error;
banish from their minds the phantoms which disturb them; advise them
not to meditate on the mysteries of their priests; bid them renounce
all those illusions they have substituted for morality; and advise
them to turn their thoughts on that which conduces to their happiness.
Meditate yourself on your own nature, and the duties which it imposes
on you. Fear those chastisements which follow inattention to this law.
Be ambitious to be approved by your own understanding, and you will
rarely fail to receive the applauses of the human kind, as a good
member of society.

If you wish to meditate, think with the greatest strength of your mind
on your nature. Never abandon the torch of