TO argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture.
In a critique of those who reject reason, this passage describes the futility of attempting to persuade individuals who hold humanity in contempt.
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Man cannot, properly speaking, make circumstances for his purpose, but he always has it in his power to improve them when they occur, and this was the case in France.
But from such opposition the French Revolution, instead of suffering, receives an homage.
A knowledge of the practice was then joined to the theory; and all that was wanting to give it real existence was opportunity.