BOOKII：OFTHERELIGIONSOFTHEUTOPIANS
THEREareseveralsortsofreligions，notonlyindifferentparts
oftheisland，butevenineverytown;someworshippingthesun，
othersthemoonoroneoftheplanets：someworshipsuchmenas
havebeeneminentinformertimesforvirtueorglory，notonlyas
ordinarydeities，butasthesupremeGod：yetthegreaterand
wisersortofthemworshipnoneofthese，butadoreoneeternal，
invisible，infinite，andincomprehensibleDeity;asabeingthat
isfaraboveallourapprehensions，thatisspreadoverthewhole
universe，notbyHisbulk，butbyHispowerandvirtue;Himthey
calltheFatherofAll，andacknowledgethatthebeginnings，the
increase，theprogress，thevicissitudes，andtheendofall
thingscomeonlyfromHim;nordotheyofferdivinehonorstoany
buttoHimalone。Andindeed，thoughtheydifferconcerningother
things，yetallagreeinthis，thattheythinkthereisone
SupremeBeingthatmadeandgovernstheworld，whomtheycallin
thelanguageoftheircountryMithras。Theydifferinthis，that
onethinksthegodwhomheworshipsisthisSupremeBeing，and
anotherthinksthathisidolisthatGod;buttheyallagreein
oneprinciple，thatwhoeveristhisSupremeBeing，Heisalsothat
greatEssencetowhosegloryandmajestyallhonorsareascribed
bytheconsentofallnations。
Bydegrees，theyfallofffromthevarioussuperstitionsthatare
amongthem，andgrowuptothatonereligionthatisthebestand
mostinrequest;andthereisnodoubttobemadebutthatallthe
othershadvanishedlongago，ifsomeofthosewhoadvisedthemto
layasidetheirsuperstitionshadnotmetwithsomeunhappy
accident，whichbeingconsideredasinflictedbyheaven，madethem
afraidthattheGodwhoseworshiphadliketohavebeenabandoned，
hadinterposed，andrevengedthemselvesonthosewhodespised
theirauthority。Aftertheyhadheardfromusanaccountofthe
doctrine，thecourseoflife，andthemiraclesofChrist，andof
thewonderfulconstancyofsomanymartyrs，whoseblood，so
willinglyofferedupbythem，wasthechiefoccasionofspreading
theirreligionoveravastnumberofnations;itisnottobe
imaginedhowinclinedtheyweretoreceiveit。Ishallnot
determinewhetherthisproceededfromanysecretinspirationof
God，orwhetheritwasbecausetseemedsofavorabletothat
communityofgoods，whichisanopinionsoparticularaswellas
sodeartothem;sincetheyperceivedthatChristandhis
followerslivedbythatruleandthatitwasstillkeptupinsome
communitiesamongthesincerestsortofChristians。From
whichsoeverofthesemotivesitmightbe，trueitisthatmanyof
themcameovertoourreligion，andwereinitiatedintoitby
baptism。Butastwoofournumberweredead，sononeofthefour
thatsurvivedwereinpriest’sorders;wethereforecouldonly
baptizethem;sothattoourgreatregrettheycouldnotpartake
oftheothersacraments，thatcanonlybeadministeredbypriests;
buttheyareinstructedconcerningthem，andlongmostvehemently
forthem。Theyhavehadgreatdisputesamongthemselves，whether
onechosenbythemtobeapriestwouldnotbetherebyqualified
todoallthethingsthatbelongtothatcharacter，eventhoughhe
hadnoauthorityderivedfromthePope;andtheyseemedtobe
resolvedtochoosesomeforthatemployment，buttheyhadnotdone
itwhenIleftthem。
Thoseamongthemthathavenotreceivedourreligion，donot
frightanyfromit，andusenoneillthatgoesovertoit;sothat
allthewhileIwasthere，onemanwasonlypunishedonthis
occasion。Hebeingnewlybaptized，did，notwithstandingallthat
wecouldsaytothecontrary，disputepubliclyconcerningthe
Christianreligionwithmorezealthandiscretion;andwithso
muchheat，thathenotonlypreferredourworshiptotheirs，but
condemnedalltheirritesasprofane;andcriedoutagainstall
thatadheredtothem，asimpiousandsacrilegiouspersons，that
weretobedamnedtoeverlastingburnings。Uponhishaving
frequentlypreachedinthismanner，hewasseized，andaftertrial
hewascondemnedtobanishment，notforhavingdisparagedtheir
religion，butforhisinflamingthepeopletosedition：forthis
isoneoftheirmostancientlaws，thatnomanoughttobe
punishedforhisreligion。Atthefirstconstitutionoftheir
government，Utopushavingunderstoodthatbeforehiscomingamong
themtheoldinhabitantshadbeenengagedingreatquarrels
concerningreligion，bywhichtheyweresodividedamong
themselves，thathefounditaneasythingtoconquerthem，since
insteadofunitingtheirforcesagainsthim，everydifferentparty
inreligionfoughtbythemselves;afterhehadsubduedthem，he
madealawthateverymanmightbeofwhatreligionhepleased，
andmightendeavortodrawotherstoitbyforceofargument，and
byamicableandmodestways，butwithoutbitternessagainstthose
ofotheropinions;butthatheoughttousenootherforcebut
thatofpersuasion，andwasneithertomixwithitreproachesnor
violence;andsuchasdidotherwiseweretobecondemnedto
banishmentorslavery。
ThislawwasmadebyUtopus，notonlyforpreservingthepublic
peace，whichhesawsufferedmuchbydailycontentionsand
irreconcilableheats，butbecausehethoughttheinterestof
religionitselfrequiredit。Hejudgeditnotfittodetermine
anythingrashly，andseemedtodoubtwhetherthosedifferentforms
ofreligionmightnotallcomefromGod，whomightinspiremenin
adifferentmanner，andbepleasedwiththisvariety;hetherefore
thoughtitindecentandfoolishforanymantothreatenand
terrifyanothertomakehimbelievewhatdidnotappeartohimto
betrue。Andsupposingthatonlyonereligionwasreallytrue，and
therestfalse，heimaginedthatthenativeforceoftruthwould
atlastbreakforthandshinebright，ifsupportedonlybythe
strengthofargument，andattendedtowithagentleand
unprejudicedmind;while，ontheotherhand，ifsuchdebateswere
carriedonwithviolenceandtumults，asthemostwickedare
alwaysthemostobstinate，sothebestandmostholyreligion
mightbechokedwithsuperstition，ascorniswithbriarsand
thorns。
Hethereforeleftmenwhollytotheirliberty，thattheymightbe
freetobelieveastheyshouldseecause;onlyhemadeasolemn
andseverelawagainstsuchasshouldsofardegeneratefromthe
dignityofhumannatureastothinkthatoursoulsdiedwithour
bodies，orthattheworldwasgovernedbychance，withoutawise
overrulingProvidence：fortheyallformerlybelievedthatthere
wasastateofrewardsandpunishmentstothegoodandbadafter
thislife;andtheynowlookonthosethatthinkotherwiseas
scarcefittobecountedmen，sincetheydegradesonobleabeing
asthesoul，andreckonitnobetterthanabeast’s：thustheyare
farfromlookingonsuchmenasfitforhumansociety，ortobe
citizensofawell-orderedcommonwealth;sinceamanofsuch
principlesmustneeds，asoftashedaresdoit，despisealltheir
lawsandcustoms：forthereisnodoubttobemadethatamanwho
isafraidofnothingbutthelaw，andapprehendsnothingafter
death，willnotscrupletobreakthroughallthelawsofhis
country，eitherbyfraudorforce，whenbythismeanshemay
satisfyhisappetites。Theyneverraiseanythatholdthese
maxims，eithertohonorsoroffices，noremploytheminanypublic
trust，butdespisethem，asmenofbaseandsordidminds：yetthey
donotpunishthem，becausetheylaythisdownasamaximthata
mancannotmakehimselfbelieveanythinghepleases;nordothey
driveanytodissembletheirthoughtsbythreatenings，sothatmen
arenottemptedtolieordisguisetheiropinions;whichbeinga
sortoffraud，isabhorredbytheUtopians。Theytakecareindeed
topreventtheirdisputingindefenceoftheseopinions，
especiallybeforethecommonpeople;buttheysuffer，andeven
encouragethemtodisputeconcerningtheminprivatewiththeir
priestsandothergravemen，beingconfidentthattheywillbe
curedofthosemadopinionsbyhavingreasonlaidbeforethem。
Therearemanyamongthemthatrunfartotheotherextreme，
thoughitisneitherthoughtanillnorunreasonableopinion，and
thereforeisnotatalldiscouraged。Theythinkthatthesoulsof
beastsareimmortal，thoughfarinferiortothedignityofthe
humansoul，andnotcapableofsogreatahappiness。Theyare
almostallofthemveryfirmlypersuadedthatgoodmenwillbe
infinitelyhappyinanotherstate;sothatthoughtheyare
compassionatetoallthataresick，yettheylamentnoman’s
death，excepttheyseehimlothtodepartwithlife;fortheylook
onthisasaveryillpresage，asifthesoul，conscioustoitself
ofguilt，andquitehopeless，wasafraidtoleavethebody，from
somesecrethintsofapproachingmisery。Theythinkthatsucha
man’sappearancebeforeGodcannotbeacceptabletohim，whobeing
calledon，doesnotgooutcheerfully，butisbackwardand
unwilling，andis，asitwere，draggedtoit。Theyarestruckwith
horrorwhentheyseeanydieinthismanner，andcarrythemoutin
silenceandwithsorrow，andprayingGodthathewouldbemerciful
totheerrorsofthedepartedsoul，theylaythebodyinthe
ground;butwhenanydiecheerfully，andfullofhope，theydonot
mournforthem，butsinghymnswhentheycarryouttheirbodies，
andcommendingtheirsoulsveryearnestlytoGod：theirwhole
behavioristhenrathergravethansad，theyburnthebody，and
setupapillarwherethepilewasmade，withaninscriptionto
thehonorofthedeceased。
Whentheycomefromthefuneral，theydiscourseofhisgoodlife
andworthyactions，butspeakofnothingoftenerandwithmore
pleasurethanofhisserenityatthehourofdeath。Theythink
suchrespectpaidtothememoryofgoodmenisboththegreatest
incitementtoengageotherstofollowtheirexample，andthemost
acceptableworshipthatcanbeofferedthem;fortheybelievethat
thoughbytheimperfectionofhumansighttheyareinvisibleto
us，yettheyarepresentamongus，andhearthosediscoursesthat
passconcerningthemselves。Theybelieveitinconsistentwiththe
happinessofdepartedsoulsnottobeatlibertytobewherethey
will，anddonotimaginethemcapableoftheingratitudeofnot
desiringtoseethosefriendswithwhomtheylivedonearthinthe
strictestbondsofloveandkindness：besidestheyarepersuaded
thatgoodmenafterdeathhavetheseaffectionsandallothergood
dispositionsincreasedratherthandiminished，andtherefore
concludethattheyarestillamongtheliving，andobserveall
theysayordo。Fromhencetheyengageinalltheiraffairswith
thegreaterconfidenceofsuccess，astrustingtotheir
protection;whilethisopinionofthepresenceoftheirancestors
isarestraintthatpreventstheirengaginginilldesigns。
Theydespiseandlaughatauguries，andtheothervainand
superstitiouswaysofdivination，somuchobservedamongother
nations;buthavegreatreverenceforsuchmiraclesascannotflow
fromanyofthepowersofnature，andlookonthemaseffectsand
indicationsofthepresenceoftheSupremeBeing，ofwhichthey
saymanyinstanceshaveoccurredamongthem;andthatsometimes
theirpublicprayers，whichupongreatanddangerousoccasions
theyhavesolemnlyputuptoGod，withassuredconfidenceofbeing
heard，havebeenansweredinamiraculousmanner。
TheythinkthecontemplatingGodinHisworks，andtheadoringHim
forthem，isaveryacceptablepieceofworshiptoHim。
Therearemanyamongthem，thatuponamotiveofreligionneglect
learning，andapplythemselvestonosortofstudy;nordothey
allowthemselvesanyleisuretime，butareperpetuallyemployed。
believingthatbythegoodthingsthatamandoeshesecuresto
himselfthathappinessthatcomesafterdeath。Someofthesevisit
thesick;othersmendhighways，cleanseditches，repairbridges，
ordigturf，gravel，orstones。Othersfellandcleavetimber，and
bringwood，corn，andothernecessariesoncartsintotheirtowns。
Nordotheseonlyservethepublic，buttheyserveevenprivate
men，morethantheslavesthemselvesdo;forifthereisanywhere
arough，hard，andsordidpieceofworktobedone，fromwhich
manyarefrightenedbythelaborandloathsomenessofit，ifnot
thedespairofaccomplishingit，theycheerfully，andoftheirown
accord，takethattotheirshare;andbythatmeans，astheyease
othersverymuch，sotheyafflictthemselves，andspendtheir
wholelifeinhardlabor;andyettheydonotvaluethemselves
uponthis，norlessenotherpeople’scredittoraisetheirown;
butbytheirstoopingtosuchservileemployments，theyaresofar
frombeingdespised，thattheyaresomuchthemoreesteemedby
thewholenation
Ofthesetherearetwosorts;someliveunmarriedandchaste，and
abstainfromeatinganysortofflesh;andthusweaningthemselves
fromallthepleasuresofthepresentlife，whichtheyaccount
hurtful，theypursue，evenbythehardestandpainfullestmethods
possible，thatblessednesswhichtheyhopeforhereafter;andthe
nearertheyapproachtoit，theyarethemorecheerfulandearnest
intheirendeavorsafterit。Anothersortofthemislesswilling
toputthemselvestomuchtoil，andthereforepreferamarried
statetoasingleone;andastheydonotdenythemselvesthe
pleasureofit，sotheythinkthebegettingofchildrenisadebt
whichtheyowetohumannatureandtotheircountry;nordothey
avoidanypleasurethatdoesnothinderlabor，andthereforeeat
fleshsomuchthemorewillingly，astheyfindthatbythismeans
theyarethemoreabletowork;theUtopianslookupontheseas
thewisersect，buttheyesteemtheothersasthemostholy。They
wouldindeedlaughatanyman，whofromtheprinciplesofreason
wouldpreferanunmarriedstatetoamarried，oralifeoflabor
toaneasylife;buttheyreverenceandadmiresuchasdoitfrom
themotivesofreligion。Thereisnothinginwhichtheyaremore
cautiousthaningivingtheiropinionpositivelyconcerningany
sortofreligion。Thementhatleadthoseseverelivesarecalled
inthelanguageoftheircountryBrutheskas，whichanswersto
thosewecallreligiousorders。
Theirpriestsaremenofeminentpiety，andthereforetheyarebut
fewforthereareonlythirteenineverytown，oneforevery
temple;butwhentheygotowar，sevenofthesegooutwiththeir
forces，andsevenothersarechosentosupplytheirroomintheir
absence;buttheseenteragainupontheiremploymentwhenthey
return;andthosewhoservedintheirabsenceattenduponthe
high-priest，tillvacanciesfallbydeath;forthereisoneset
overalltherest。Theyarechosenbythepeopleastheother
magistratesare，bysuffragesgiveninsecret，forpreventingof
factions;andwhentheyarechosentheyareconsecratedbythe
CollegeofPriests。Thecareofallsacredthings，theworshipof
God，andaninspectionintothemannersofthepeople，are
committedtothem。Itisareproachtoamantobesentforbyany
ofthem，orforthemtospeaktohiminsecret，forthatalways
givessomesuspicion。Allthatisincumbentonthemisonlyto
exhortandadmonishthepeople;forthepowerofcorrectingand
punishingillmenbelongswhollytothePrinceandtotheother
magistrates。Theseverestthingthatthepriestdoesisthe
excludingthosethataredesperatelywickedfromjoiningintheir
worship。Thereisnotanysortofpunishmentmoredreadedbythem
thanthis，forasitloadsthemwithinfamy，soitfillsthemwith
secrethorrors，suchistheirreverencetotheirreligion;nor
willtheirbodiesbelongexemptedfromtheirshareoftrouble;
foriftheydonotveryquicklysatisfythepriestsofthetruth
oftheirrepentance，theyareseizedonbytheSenate，and
punishedfortheirimpiety。Theeducationofyouthbelongstothe
priests，yettheydonottakesomuchcareofinstructingthemin
lettersasinformingtheirmindsandmannersaright;theyuseall
possiblemethodstoinfuseveryearlyintothetenderandflexible
mindsofchildrensuchopinionsasarebothgoodinthemselvesand
willbeusefultotheircountry。Forwhendeepimpressionsof
thesethingsaremadeatthatage，theyfollowmenthroughthe
wholecourseoftheirlives，andconducemuchtopreservethe
peaceofthegovernment，whichsuffersbynothingmorethanby
vicesthatriseoutofill-opinions。Thewivesoftheirpriests
arethemostextraordinarywomenofthewholecountry;sometimes
thewomenthemselvesaremadepriests，thoughthatfallsoutbut
seldom，norareanybutancientwidowschosenintothatorder。
Noneofthemagistrateshasgreaterhonorpaidhimthanispaid
thepriests;andiftheyshouldhappentocommitanycrime，they
wouldnotbequestionedforit。TheirpunishmentislefttoGod，
andtotheirownconsciences;fortheydonotthinkitlawfulto
layhandsonanyman，howwickedsoeverheis，thathasbeenina
peculiarmannerdedicatedtoGod;nordotheyfindanygreat
inconvenienceinthis，bothbecausetheyhavesofewpriests，and
becausethesearechosenwithmuchcaution，sothatitmustbea
veryunusualthingtofindonewhomerelyoutofregardtohis
virtue，andforhisbeingesteemedasingularlygoodman，was
raiseduptosogreatadignity，degenerateintocorruptionand
vice。Andifsuchathingshouldfallout，formanisachangeable
creature，yettherebeingfewpriests，andthesehavingno
authoritybutwhatrisesoutoftherespectthatispaidthem，
nothingofgreatconsequencetothepubliccanproceedfromthe
indemnitythatthepriestsenjoy。
Theyhaveindeedveryfewofthem，lestgreaternumberssharingin
thesamehonormightmakethedignityofthatorderwhichthey
esteemsohighlytosinkinitsreputation。Theyalsothinkit
difficulttofindoutmanyofsuchanexaltedpitchofgoodness，
astobeequaltothatdignitywhichdemandstheexerciseofmore
thanordinaryvirtues。Norarethepriestsingreaterveneration
amongthemthantheyareamongtheirneighboringnations，asyou
mayimaginebythatwhichIthinkgivesoccasionforit。
WhentheUtopiansengageinbattle，thepriestswhoaccompanythem
tothewar，apparelledintheirsacredvestments，kneeldown
duringtheaction，inaplacenotfarfromthefield;andlifting
uptheirhandstoheaven，pray，firstforpeace，andthenfor
victorytotheirownside，andparticularlythatitmaybegained
withouttheeffusionofmuchbloodoneitherside;andwhenthe
victoryturnstotheirside，theyruninamongtheirownmento
restraintheirfury;andifanyoftheirenemiesseethem，orcall
tothem，theyarepreservedbythatmeans;andsuchascancomeso
nearthemastotouchtheirgarments，havenotonlytheirlives，
buttheirfortunessecuredtothem;itisuponthisaccountthat
allthenationsroundaboutconsiderthemsomuch，andtreatthem
withsuchreverence，thattheyhavebeenoftennolessableto
preservetheirownpeoplefromthefuryoftheirenemies，thanto
savetheirenemiesfromtheirrage;forithassometimesfallen
out，thatwhentheirarmieshavebeenindisorder，andforcedto
fly，sothattheirenemieswererunningupontheslaughterand
spoil，thepriestsbyinterposinghaveseparatedthemfromone
another，andstoppedtheeffusionofmoreblood;sothatbytheir
mediationapeacehasbeenconcludedonveryreasonableterms;nor
isthereanynationaboutthemsofierce，cruel，orbarbarousas
nottolookupontheirpersonsassacredandinviolable。
Thefirstandthelastdayofthemonth，andoftheyear，isa
festival。Theymeasuretheirmonthsbythecourseofthemoon，and
theiryearsbythecourseofthesun。Thefirstdaysarecalledin
theirlanguagetheCynemernes，andthelasttheTrapemernes;which
answersinourlanguagetothefestivalthatbegins，orends，the
season。
Theyhavemagnificenttemples，thatarenotonlynoblybuilt，but
extremelyspacious;whichisthemorenecessary，astheyhaveso
fewofthem;theyarealittledarkwithin，whichproceedsnot
fromanyerrorinthearchitecture，butisdonewithdesign;for
theirprieststhinkthattoomuchlightdissipatesthethoughts，
andthatamoremoderatedegreeofitbothrecollectsthemindand
raisesdevotion。Thoughtherearemanydifferentformsofreligion
amongthem，yetallthese，howvarioussoever，agreeinthemain
point，whichistheworshippingoftheDivineEssence;and
thereforethereisnothingtobeseenorheardintheirtemplesin
whichtheseveralpersuasionsamongthemmaynotagree;forevery
sectperformsthoseritesthatarepeculiartoit，intheir
privatehouses，noristhereanythinginthepublicworshipthat
contradictstheparticularwaysofthosedifferentsects。There
arenoimagesforGodintheirtemples，sothateveryonemay
representHimtohisthoughts，accordingtothewayofhis
religion;nordotheycallthisoneGodbyanyothernamethan
thatofMithras，whichisthecommonnamebywhichtheyall
expresstheDivineEssence，whatsoeverotherwisetheythinkitto
be;norarethereanyprayersamongthembutsuchaseveryoneof
themmayusewithoutprejudicetohisownopinion。
Theymeetintheirtemplesontheeveningofthefestivalthat
concludesaseason：andnothavingyetbroketheirfast，they
thankGodfortheirgoodsuccessduringthatyearormonth，which
isthenatanend;andthenextdaybeingthatwhichbeginsthe
newseason，theymeetearlyintheirtemples，toprayforthe
happyprogressofalltheiraffairsduringthatperioduponwhich
theythenenter。Inthefestivalwhichconcludestheperiod，
beforetheygotothetemple，bothwivesandchildrenfallon
theirkneesbeforetheirhusbandsorparents，andconfess
everythinginwhichtheyhaveeithererredorfailedintheir
duty，andbegpardonforit。Thusalllittlediscontentsin
familiesareremoved，thattheymayofferuptheirdevotionswith
apureandserenemind;fortheyholditagreatimpietytoenter
uponthemwithdisturbedthoughts，orwithaconsciousnessof
theirbearinghatredorangerintheirheartstoanyperson
whatsoever;andthinkthattheyshouldbecomeliabletosevere
punishmentsiftheypresumedtooffersacrificeswithoutcleansing
theirhearts，andreconcilingalltheirdifferences。Inthe
temples，thetwosexesareseparated，themengototheright
hand，andthewomentotheleft;andthemalesandfemalesall
placethemselvesbeforetheheadandmasterormistressofthat
familytowhichtheybelong;sothatthosewhohavethegovernment
ofthemathomemayseetheirdeportmentinpublic;andthey
interminglethemso，thattheyoungerandtheoldermaybesetby
oneanother;foriftheyoungersortwereallsettogether，they
wouldperhapstrifleawaythattimetoomuchinwhichtheyought
tobegetinthemselvesthatreligiousdreadoftheSupremeBeing，
whichisthegreatestandalmosttheonlyincitementtovirtue。
Theyofferupnolivingcreatureinsacrifice，nordotheythink
itsuitabletotheDivineBeing，fromwhosebountyitisthat
thesecreatureshavederivedtheirlives，totakepleasurein
theirdeaths，ortheofferingupoftheirblood。Theyburnincense
andothersweetodors，andhaveagreatnumberofwaxlights
duringtheirworship;notoutofanyimaginationthatsuch
oblationscanaddanythingtothedivinenature，whicheven
prayerscannotdo;butasitisaharmlessandpurewayof
worshippingGod，sotheythinkthosesweetsavorsandlights，
togetherwithsomeotherceremonies，byasecretandunaccountable
virtue，elevatemen’ssouls，andinflamethemwithgreaterenergy
andcheerfulnessduringthedivineworship。
Allthepeopleappearinthetemplesinwhitegarments，butthe
priest’svestmentsareparti-colored，andboththeworkandcolors
arewonderful。Theyaremadeofnorichmaterials，fortheyare
neitherembroiderednorsetwithpreciousstones，butarecomposed
oftheplumesofseveralbirds，laidtogetherwithsomuchartand
soneatly，thatthetruevalueofthemisfarbeyondthecostliest
materials。Theysaythatintheorderingandplacingthoseplumes
somedarkmysteriesarerepresented，whichpassdownamongtheir
priestsinasecrettraditionconcerningthem;andthattheyare
ashieroglyphics，puttingtheminmindoftheblessingsthatthey
havereceivedfromGod，andoftheirdutiesbothtoHimandto
theirneighbors。Assoonasthepriestappearsinthoseornaments，
theyallfallprostrateontheground，withsomuchreverenceand
sodeepasilencethatsuchaslookoncannotbutbestruckwith
it，asifitweretheeffectoftheappearanceofadeity。After
theyhavebeenforsometimeinthisposture，theyallstandup，
uponasigngivenbythepriest，andsinghymnstothehonorof
God，somemusicalinstrumentsplayingallthewhile。Theseare
quiteofanotherformthanthoseusedamongus：butasmanyof
themaremuchsweeterthanours，soothersaremadeuseofbyus。
Yetinonethingtheyverymuchexceedus;alltheirmusic，both
vocalandinstrumental，isadaptedtoimitateandexpressthe
passions，andissohappilysuitedtoeveryoccasion，thatwhether
thesubjectofthehymnbecheerfulorformedtosootheortrouble
themind，ortoexpressgrieforremorse，themusictakesthe
impressionofwhateverisrepresented，affectsandkindlesthe
passions，andworksthesentimentsdeepintotheheartsofthe
hearers。Whenthisisdone，bothpriestsandpeopleofferupvery
solemnprayerstoGodinasetformofwords;andtheseareso
composed，thatwhatsoeverispronouncedbythewholeassemblymay
belikewiseappliedbyeverymaninparticulartohisown
condition;inthesetheyacknowledgeGodtobetheauthorand
governoroftheworld，andthefountainofallthegoodthey
receive，andthereforeofferuptoHimtheirthanksgiving;andin
particularblessHimforHisgoodnessinorderingitsothatthey
arebornunderthehappiestgovernmentintheworld，andareofa
religionwhichtheyhopeisthetruestofallothers：butifthey
aremistaken，andifthereiseitherabettergovernmentora
religionmoreacceptabletoGod，theyimploreHimgoodnesstolet
themknowit，vowingthattheyresolvetofollowHimwhithersoever
Heleadsthem。Butiftheirgovernmentisthebestandtheir
religionthetruest，thentheypraythatHemayfortifythemin
it，andbringalltheworldbothtothesamerulesoflife，andto
thesameopinionsconcerningHimself;unless，accordingtothe
unsearchablenessofHismind，Heispleasedwithavarietyof
religions。ThentheypraythatGodmaygivethemaneasypassage
atlasttoHimself;notpresumingtosetlimitstoHim，howearly
orlateitshouldbe;butifitmaybewishedfor，without
derogatingfromHissupremeauthority，theydesiretobequickly
delivered，andtobetakentoHimself，thoughbythemostterrible
kindofdeath，ratherthantobedetainedlongfromseeingHimby
themostprosperouscourseoflife。Whenthisprayerisended，
theyallfalldownagainupontheground，andafteralittlewhile
theyriseup，gohometodinner，andspendtherestofthedayin
diversionormilitaryexercises。
ThushaveIdescribedtoyou，asparticularlyasIcould，the
constitutionofthatcommonwealth，whichIdonotonlythinkthe
bestintheworld，butindeedtheonlycommonwealththattruly
deservesthatname。Inallotherplacesitisvisible，thatwhile
peopletalkofacommonwealth，everymanonlyseekshisown
wealth;butthere，wherenomanhasanyproperty，allmen
zealouslypursuethegoodofthepublic：and，indeed，itisno
wondertoseemenactsodifferently;forinothercommonwealths，
everymanknowsthatunlessheprovidesforhimself，how
flourishingsoeverthecommonwealthmaybe，hemustdieofhunger;
sothatheseesthenecessityofpreferringhisownconcernsto
thepublic;butinUtopia，whereeverymanhasarightto
everything，theyallknowthatifcareistakentokeepthepublic
storesfull，noprivatemancanwantanything;foramongthem
thereisnounequaldistribution，sothatnomanispoor，nonein
necessity;andthoughnomanhasanything，yettheyareallrich;
forwhatcanmakeamansorichastoleadasereneandcheerful
life，freefromanxieties;neitherapprehendingwanthimself，nor
vexedwiththeendlesscomplaintsofhiswife？Heisnotafraidof
themiseryofhischildren，norishecontrivinghowtoraisea
portionforhisdaughters，butissecureinthis，thatbothheand
hiswife，hischildrenandgrandchildren，toasmanygenerations
ashecanfancy，willalllivebothplentifullyandhappily;since
amongthemthereisnolesscaretakenofthosewhowereonce
engagedinlabor，butgrowafterwardunabletofollowit，than
thereiselsewhereofthesethatcontinuestillemployed。
Iwouldgladlyhearanymancomparethejusticethatisamongthem
withthatofallothernations;amongwhom，mayIperish，ifIsee
anythingthatlookseitherlikejusticeorequity：forwhat
justiceisthereinthis，thatanobleman，agoldsmith，abanker，
oranyotherman，thateitherdoesnothingatall，oratbestis
employedinthingsthatareofnousetothepublic，shouldlive
ingreatluxuryandsplendor，uponwhatissoillacquired;anda
meanman，acarter，asmith，oraploughman，thatworksharder
eventhanthebeaststhemselves，andisemployedinlaborsso
necessary，thatnocommonwealthcouldholdoutayearwithout
them，canonlyearnsopooralivelihood，andmustleadso
miserablealife，thattheconditionofthebeastsismuchbetter
thantheirs？Forasthebeastsdonotworksoconstantly，sothey
feedalmostaswell，andwithmorepleasure;andhavenoanxiety
aboutwhatistocome，whilstthesemenaredepressedbyabarren
andfruitlessemployment，andtormentedwiththeapprehensionsof
wantintheiroldage;sincethatwhichtheygetbytheirdaily
labordoesbutmaintainthematpresent，andisconsumedasfast
asitcomesin，thereisnooverpluslefttolayupforoldage。
Isnotthatgovernmentbothunjustandungrateful，thatisso
prodigalofitsfavorstothosethatarecalledgentlemen，or
goldsmiths，orsuchotherswhoareidle，orliveeitherby
flattery，orbycontrivingtheartsofvainpleasure;andonthe
otherhand，takesnocareofthoseofameanersort，suchas
ploughmen，colliers，andsmiths，withoutwhomitcouldnot
subsist？Butafterthepublichasreapedalltheadvantageof
theirservice，andtheycometobeoppressedwithage，sickness，
andwant，alltheirlaborsandthegoodtheyhavedoneis
forgotten;andalltherecompensegiventhemisthattheyareleft
todieingreatmisery。Therichersortareoftenendeavoringto
bringthehireoflaborerslower，notonlybytheirfraudulent
practices，butbythelawswhichtheyprocuretobemadetothat
effect;sothatthoughitisathingmostunjustinitself，to
givesuchsmallrewardstothosewhodeservesowellofthe
public，yettheyhavegiventhosehardshipsthenameandcolorof
justice，byprocuringlawstobemadeforregulatingthem。
ThereforeImustsaythat，asIhopeformercy，Icanhaveno
othernotionofalltheothergovernmentsthatIseeorknow，than
thattheyareaconspiracyoftherich，whoonpretenceof
managingthepubliconlypursuetheirprivateends，anddeviseall
thewaysandartstheycanfindout;first，thattheymay，without
danger，preserveallthattheyhavesoillacquired，andthenthat
theymayengagethepoortotoilandlaborforthemataslow
ratesaspossible，andoppressthemasmuchastheyplease。Andif
theycanbutprevailtogetthesecontrivancesestablishedbythe
showofpublicauthority，whichisconsideredasthe
representativeofthewholepeople，thentheyareaccountedlaws。
Yetthesewickedmenaftertheyhave，byamostinsatiable
covetousness，dividedthatamongthemselveswithwhichallthe
restmighthavebeenwellsupplied，arefarfromthathappiness
thatisenjoyedamongtheUtopians：fortheuseaswellasthe
desireofmoneybeingextinguished，muchanxietyandgreat
occasionsofmischiefiscutoffwithit。Andwhodoesnotsee
thatthefrauds，thefts，robberies，quarrels，tumults，
contentions，seditions，murders，treacheries，andwitchcrafts，
whichareindeedratherpunishedthanrestrainedbytheseverities
oflaw，wouldallfalloff，ifmoneywerenotanymorevaluedby
theworld？Men’sfears，solicitudes，cares，labors，andwatchings，
wouldallperishinthesamemomentwiththevalueofmoney：even
povertyitself，forthereliefofwhichmoneyseemsmost
necessary，wouldfall。But，inordertotheapprehendingthis
aright，takeoneinstance。
Consideranyyearthathasbeensounfruitfulthatmanythousands
havediedofhunger;andyetifattheendofthatyearasurvey
wasmadeofthegranariesofalltherichmenthathavehoardedup
thecorn，itwouldbefoundthattherewasenoughamongthemto
havepreventedallthatconsumptionofmenthatperishedin
misery;andthatifithadbeendistributedamongthem，nonewould
havefelttheterribleeffectsofthatscarcity;soeasyathing
woulditbetosupplyallthenecessitiesoflife，ifthatblessed
thingcalledmoney，whichispretendedtobeinventedfor
procuringthem，wasnotreallytheonlythingthatobstructed
theirbeingprocured！
Idonotdoubtbutrichmenaresensibleofthis，andthatthey
wellknowhowmuchagreaterhappinessitistowantnothing
necessarythantoaboundinmanysuperfluities，andtoberescued
outofsomuchmiserythantoaboundwithsomuchwealth;andI
cannotthinkbutthesenseofeveryman’sinterest，addedtothe
authorityofChrist’scommands，whoasHewasinfinitelywise，
knewwhatwasbest，andwasnotlessgoodindiscoveringittous，
wouldhavedrawnalltheworldovertothelawsoftheUtopians，
ifpride，thatplagueofhumannature，thatsourceofsomuch
misery，didnothinderit;forthisvicedoesnotmeasure
happinesssomuchbyitsownconveniencesasbythemiseriesof
others;andwouldnotbesatisfiedwithbeingthoughtagoddess，
ifnonewereleftthatweremiserable，overwhomshemightinsult。
Pridethinksitsownhappinessshinesthebrighterbycomparingit
withthemisfortunesofotherpersons;thatbydisplayingitsown
wealth，theymayfeeltheirpovertythemoresensibly。Thisis
thatinfernalserpentthatcreepsintothebreastsofmortals，and
possessesthemtoomuchtobeeasilydrawnout;andthereforeIam
gladthattheUtopianshavefallenuponthisformofgovernment，
inwhichIwishthatalltheworldcouldbesowiseastoimitate
them;fortheyhaveindeedlaiddownsuchaschemeandfoundation
ofpolicy，thatasmenlivehappilyunderit，soitisliketobe
ofgreatcontinuance;fortheyhavingrootedoutofthemindsof
theirpeoplealltheseedsbothofambitionandfaction，thereis
nodangerofanycommotionathome;whichalonehasbeentheruin
ofmanyStatesthatseemedotherwisetobewellsecured;butas
longastheyliveinpeaceathome，andaregovernedbysuchgood
laws，theenvyofalltheirneighboringprinces，whohaveoften
thoughinvainattemptedtheirruin，willneverbeabletoput
theirStateintoanycommotionordisorder。
WhenRaphaelhadthusmadeanendofspeaking，thoughmanythings
occurredtome，bothconcerningthemannersandlawsofthat
people，thatseemedveryabsurd，aswellintheirwayofmaking
war，asintheirnotionsofreligionanddivinematters;together
withseveralotherparticulars，butchieflywhatseemedthe
foundationofalltherest，theirlivingincommon，withoutthe
useofmoney，bywhichallnobility，magnificence，splendor，and
majesty，which，accordingtothecommonopinion，arethetrue
ornamentsofanation，wouldbequitetakenaway;——yetsinceI
perceivedthatRaphaelwasweary，andwasnotsurewhetherhe
couldeasilybearcontradiction，rememberingthathehadtaken
noticeofsomewhoseemedtothinktheywereboundinhonorto
supportthecreditoftheirownwisdom，byfindingoutsomething
tocensureinallothermen’sinventions，besidestheirown;I
onlycommendedtheirconstitution，andtheaccounthehadgivenof
itingeneral;andsotakinghimbythehand，carriedhimto
supper，andtoldhimIwouldfindoutsomeothertimefor
examiningthissubjectmoreparticularly，andfordiscoursingmore
copiouslyuponit;andindeedIshallbegladtoembracean
opportunityofdoingit。Inthemeanwhile，thoughitmustbe
confessedthatheisbothaverylearnedman，andapersonwhohas
obtainedagreatknowledgeoftheworld，Icannotperfectlyagree
toeverythinghehasrelated;however，therearemanythingsin
theCommonwealthofUtopiathatIratherwish，thanhope，tosee
followedinourgovernments。