As imports of coffee, tea, and sugar from the colonies increased exponentially, people began to consider the effects of new patterns of consumption on their societies. In 1705, a Dutch-born English physician published a satirical poem that came to be know as “The Fable of the Bees,” in which he argued that private vices, such as greed, actually contributed to the public benefit because they increased economic activity and therefore the wealth of society (Document 1). Among Mandeville’s many critics was the clergyman William Law, who denounced the Fable of the Bees as immoral (Document 2). They started an argument that continues to this day about the virtues or vices of consumption.

1. Bernard de Mandeville, “The Fable of the Bees” (1705)

Mandeville used a poem to make his point that the vices of individuals could result in public benefits. In later editions, he put “private vices, public benefits” in the title itself. Although widely condemned and even threatened with government prosecution, Mandeville laid the foundation for sociology, that is, the study of the rules underpinning society.

Vast Numbers throng’d the fruitful Hive;

Yet those vast Numbers made ‘em thrive;

Millions endeavouring to supply

Each other’s Lust and Vanity;. . . .

Thus every Part was full of Vice,

Yet the whole Mass a Paradise;

Flatter’d in Peace, and fear’d in Wars,

They were th’Esteem of Foreigners,

And lavish of their Wealth and Lives,

The Ballance of all other Hives.

Such were the Blessings of that State;

Their Crimes conspir’d to make them Great:

And Virtue, who from Politicks

Had learn’d a Thousand Cunning Tricks,

Was, by their happy Influence,

Made Friends with Vice: And ever since,

The worst of all the Multitude

Did something for the Common Good

Source: Bernard de Mandeville, The Fable of the Bees, 3rd ed. (London: J. Tonson, 1724), 3 and 9.

2. William Law, Denunciation of Fable of the Bees, 1724

In his long pamphlet against Mandeville, Law recalled the Christian arguments in favor of personal virtue. At issue is nothing less than a conflict over human nature and whether wanting what others have is good or bad for society.

Moral Virtue, however disregarded in Practice, has hitherto had a speculative Esteem amongst Men; her Praises have been celebrated by Authors of all kinds, as the confess’d Beauty, Ornament and Perfection of Human Nature. . . .

You [Mandeville] consider Man, merely as an Animal having like other Animals, nothing to do but to follow his Appetites. . . .

So that Man and Morality are here both destroy’d together; Man is declar’d to be only an Animal, and Morality an Imposture. . . .

But this is not all, for you dare farther affirm in praise of Immorality, That Evil as well moral, as natural, is the solid Basis, the Life and Support of all Trades and Employments without exception; that there we must look for the true Origin of all Arts and Sciences, and that the Moment Evil ceases, the Society must be spoil’d, if not dissolv’d.

Source: William Law, Remarks Upon a Late Book, Entituled [sic], The Fable of the Bees, Or Private Vices, Public Benefits: In a Letter to the Author: To Which Is Added, a Postscript, Containing an Observation Or Two Upon Mr. Bayle, 2nd ed. (London: William and John Innys, 1725), 2–3.

Questions to Consider