The greatest virtues that men possess are owing to Love. From whence
proceeds the balmy band of friendship?--From Love. What felicity would
there he in the marriage state without Love? How wretched are those
mortals who are incapable of friendship, and who feel no satisfaction in
loving or being loved! How morose, how savage, how indelicate, how dull,
how cruel would man be, if exempt from social virtues?--And from whence
do they all spring, but from Love? I will even go so far as so say, that
the polite arts owe their origin to Love. Even the most celebrated poets
have exerted their utmost skill on the subject of Love. It sooths,
softens, and harmonizes the minds of men, and inspires them with
sentiments of tenderness and humanity. It even disposes them to feel for
their fellow creatures, and comfort the bosom of affliction. It cannot
be denied but men’s glory, honour, profit, and pleasure, all depend upon
Love. Love would wish that all men should live in perfect harmony with
each other, and that there should be no distinction of persons. Love
inspires honour, friendship, charity, humanity, benevolence, modesty,
meekness, and chastity.
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