Робинзон Крузо

           Ihadanotherreflection,whichassistedmealsotocomfortmymindwithhopes; andthiswas,comparingmypresentconditionwithwhatIhaddeserved,andhadthereforereasontoexpectfromthehandofProvidence. Ihadlivedadreadfullife,perfectlydestituteoftheknowledgeandfearofGod. Ihadbeenwellinstructedbyfatherandmother;neitherhadtheybeenwantingtomeintheirearlyendeavorstoinfuseareligiousaweofGodintomymind,asenseofmyduty,andofwhatthenatureandendofmybeingrequiredofme. But,alas! fallingearlyintotheseafaringlife,which,ofallthelives,isthemostdestituteofthefearofGod,thoughHisterrorsarealwaysbeforethem; Isay,fallingearlyintotheseafaringlife,andintoseafaringcompany,allthatlittlesenseofreligionwhichIhadentertainedwaslaughedoutofmebymymessmates; byahardeneddespisingofdangers,andtheviewsofdeath,whichgrewhabitualtome; bymylongabsencefromallmannerofopportunitiestoconversewithanythingbutwhatwaslikemyself,ortohearanythingthatwasgood,ortendedtowardsit. 

           SovoidwasIofeverythingthatwasgood,oroftheleastsenseofwhatIwas,orwastobe,thatinthegreatestdeliverancesIenjoyed,suchasmyescapefromSallee; mybeingtakenupbythePortuguesemasteroftheship; mybeingplantedsowellintheBrazils;myreceivingthecargofromEngland,andthelike;Ineverhadoncethewords"ThankGod,"somuchasonmymind,orinmymouth; norinthegreatestdistresshadIsomuchasthoughttopraytoHim,orsomuchastosay, "Lord,havemercyuponme!" no,nortomentionthenameofGod,unlessitwastoswearbyandblasphemeit. 

           Ihadterriblereflectionsuponmymindformanymonths,asIhavealreadyobserved,ontheaccountofmywickedandhardenedlifepast;