Such a condition cannot but enervate the soul, relax the springs of the will, and prepare a people for servitude.

Nor does it only happen, in such a case, that they allow their freedom to be wrested from them; they frequently themselves surrender it.

When there is no longer any principle of authority in religion any more than in politics, men are speedily frightened at the aspect of this unbounded independence.

The constant agitation of all surrounding things alarms and exhausts them.

As everything is at sea in the sphere of the intellect, they determine at least that the mechanism of society should be firm and fixed; and as they cannot resume their ancient belief, they assume a master.
For my own part, I doubt whether man can ever support at the same time complete religious independence and entire public freedom.