XXIV.8 On the harmony of moral laws with those of religion

, par Stewart

In a country which has the misfortune of having a religion that did not come from God, it is still necessary for it to accord with morality, because religion, even if false, is the best assurance men can have of their probity.

The principal points of the religion of the people of Pegu [1] are not to kill, not to steal, to avoid immodesty, never to displease one’s neighbor, and to do him on the contrary all the good one can. With that they believe you will be saved in any religion whatsoever : for which reason these peoples, although proud and poor, are gentle and compassionate toward the unfortunate.

Notes

[1Recueil des voyages qui ont servi à l’établissement de la Compagnie des Indes, vol. III, part I, p. 63.