"Flattery's the bellows blows up sin."
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About Bernard de Mandeville
Bernard de Mandeville (1670-1733) was a Dutch-born British philosopher and satirist known for his controversial work 'The Fable of the Bees'. He studied medicine at the University of Leiden before moving to England where he practiced as a physician and later focused on writing. Mandeville's works often challenged conventional moral principles, advocating the idea that private vices can lead to public benefits. His writings sparked debates on ethics, economics, and social behavior during the Enlightenment period.
Related Quotes
"The more public provisions are made for the poor, the less they provide for themselves."
"Private vices by the dextrous management of a skillful politician may be turned into public benefits."
"The Idle Drone - Gets it by heart that dirt is clean."
"Fools who came to scoff remained to pray."