Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 1 · Plutarch
BY WILLIAM BAXTER, GENT.
Ignorance respecting God may lead either to atheism or superstition, 168. Atheism and superstition compared, 168, _et seq._ Atheism tends to indifference, superstition to terror, 169. Superstition infuses into the mind a constant alarm and dread, 170. Superstition allows of no escape from fear, it permits no hope, 172. It perverts the moral sense, 173, 174. The atheist may be fretful and impatient; the superstitious man charges all his misfortunes and troubles to God, 175. Is full of unreasonable apprehensions, 176. Converts tolerable evils into fatal ones, 177. Misinterprets the course of nature, 177. Is afraid of things that will not hurt him, 177. Allows himself no enjoyment, 178. Entertains dishonorable thoughts of God, 180; and thus is morally wrong, 181. He secretly hates God, and would have no God, 181. Superstition affords an apology for atheism, 152. Superstition of the Gauls, Scythians, and Carthaginians; they offered human sacrifices, 182, 183. In avoiding superstition do not fall into atheism, 184. THE APOPHTHEGMS OR REMARKABLE SAYINGS OF KINGS AND GREAT COMMANDERS, 185-250.
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