An Enquiry into an Origin of Honour; and the Usefulness of Christianity in War

The essays propose that moral virtues are human constructions rather than divinely prescribed, tracing the language and concept of virtue to martial courage and insisting that genuine virtue involves palpable self-denial. Etymological and historical reflection supports the claim that bravery was first prized and later extended to milder qualities, while justice and temperance require different, less violent forms of restraint. The inquiry treats honour as a subsequent social invention, a refined form of flattery that promotes self-admiration. It concludes by assessing the practical role of Christianity in warfare, weighing how religious teachings can shape martial discipline, courage, and conduct.