The Ruins; Or, Meditation on the Revolutions of Empires and the Law of Nature

of nature pres

able, to the support of strength and health: and because a simple calculation proves that, for s

it forbid

nd expensive habits, which destroy his means of existence, his public consideration, and his credit; his intrigues occasion continual embarrassment, cares, quarrels and lawsuits, without mentioning the grie

t absolute chastity so recommended in

both. First, it injures society by depriving it of population, which is one of its principal sources of wealth and power; and as bachelors

ircumstances of age, regimen, or temperament, that absolute continence injures the constitution and causes severe diseases, because it is contrary to the physical laws on which nature has founded the system of the reproduction

sidered a greater virt

en pregnant contrary to law, they become an object of public scandal and contempt, and spend the remainder of their lives in bitterness and misery. Moreover, all the expense of maintaining and educating their fatherless children falls on them: which expense impoverishes them, and is every way prejudicial to their physical

extend so far as the scrup

ur body, those actions become mechanical wants which recur at certain periods of days or of weeks, so that, at such a time, the want is renewed of such an action and such a secreti

sty be conside

order, and to self-preservation. The modest woman is esteemed, courted, and established, with advantages of fortune which ensure her e