It is evident to me that we only willingly carry out those religious duties which flatter our passions. Christians excel at hating enemies. Our zeal works wonders when it strengthen our tendency towards hatred, enmity, ambition, avarice, evil-speaking... and rebellion. On the other hand, zeal never makes anyone go flying towards goodness, kindness or temperance, unless he is miraculously pre-disposed to them by some rare complexion. Our religion was made to root out vices: now it cloaks them, nurses them, stimulates them.
Michel de Montaigne - An apology for Raymond Sebond (Essays II, 12)
