Talk:Religion
Relígion. n.s. [religion, Fr. religio, Lat.]
1. Virtue, as founded upon reverence of God, and expectation of future rewards and punishments.
- He that is void of fear, may soon be just,
- And no religion binds men to be traitors. Benj. Johnson.
- One spake much of right and wrong,
- Of justice, of religion, truth and peace
- And judgment from above. Milton.
- If we consider it as directed against God, it is a breach of religion; if as to men, it is an offence against morality. South.
- By her inform'd, we best religion learn,
- Its glorious object by her aid discern. Blackmore.
- Religion or virtue, in a large sense, includes duty to God and our neighbour, but in a proper sense, virtue signifies duty towards men, and religion duty to God. Watts.
2. A system of divine faith and worship as opposite to others. The image of a brute, adorn'd With gay religions, full of pomp and gold. Milton.
- The christian religion, rightly understood, is the deepest and choicest piece of philosophy that is. More.
- The doctrine of the gospel proposes to men such glorious rewards and such terrible punishments as no religion ever did, and gives us far greater assurance of their reality and certainty than ever the world had. Tillotson.
- A Dictionary of the English Language,
A Digital Edition of the 1755 Classic by Samuel Johnson
Virtue Vi'rtue. n.s. [virtus, Lat.]
1. Moral grounds.
- Either I'm mistaken, or there is virtue in that Falstaff. Shakesp.
- If there's a power above us,
- And that there is, all nature cries aloud
- Through all her works, he must delight in virtue,
- And that which he delights in must be happy. Addison.
- Virtue only makes our bliss below. Pope.
- The character of prince Henry is improved by Shakespear; and through the veil of his vices and irregularities, we see a dawn of greatness and virtue. Shakesp. illustrated.
2. A particular moral excellence.
- In Belmont is a lady,
- And she is fair, and, fairer than that word,
- Of wond'rous virtues. Shakesp. Merchant of Venice.
- Remember all his virtues,
- And shew mankind that goodness is your care. Addison.
3. Medicinal quality.
- All blest secrets,
- All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth,
- Be aidant and remediate. Shakesp. K. Lear.
- The virtuous bezoar is taken from the beast that feedeth upon the mountains; and that without virtue from those that feed in the vallies. Bacon.
4. Medicinal efficacy.
- An essay writer must practice the chemical method, and give the vitue of a draught in a few drops. Addison.
5. Efficacy; power.
- If neither words, nor herbs will do, I'll try stones; for there's a virtue in them. L'Estrange.
- Where there is a full purpose to please God, there, what a man can do, shall, by virtue therefore, be accepted. South.
- They are not sure, by virtue of syllogism, that the conclusion certainly follows from the premises. Locke.
- This they shall attain, partly in virtue of the promise made by God; and partly in virtue of piety. Atterbury.
- He used to travel through Greece, by virtue of this fable, which procured him reception in all the towns. Addison.
6. Acting power.
- Jesus knowing that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about. Mark v. 30.
7. Secret agency; efficacy, without visible or material action.
- She moves the body, which she doth possess;
- Yet no part toucheth, but by virtue's touch. Davies.
8. Bravery; valour.
- Trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers
- Took their discharge. Shakesp. K. Lear.
- The conquest of Palestine, with singular virtue they performed, and held that kingdom some few generations. Raleigh.
9. Excellence; that which gives excellence.
- In the Greek poets, as also in Plautus, the oeconomy of poems is better observed than in Terence; who thought the sole grace and virtue of their fable, the sticking in of sentences, as ours do the forcing in of jests. B. Johnson.
10. One of the orders of the celestial hierarchy.
- Thrones, domination, princedoms, virtues, pow'rs. Milt.
- A winged virtue through th' etherial sky,
- From orb to orb unwearied dost thou fly. Tickell.
- A Dictionary of the English Language,
A Digital Edition of the 1755 Classic by Samuel Johnson