Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
by-interest en · NOUN
Meanings
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Self-interest; private advantage.
It is a very difficult Matter to think of God aright, for either our Underſtandings, are blinded by the Clouds of our Paſſions, or led aſide by ſome By-intereſt or prevailing Affection; and hence proceed moſt of theſe extravagant Conceipts, concerning the Deity, entertained by the Generality.
a. 1732, Lewis Atterbury, “Sermon I. The Nature and Necessity of Faith in God.”, in Sermons on Select Subjects. […], volume I, London: […] Thomas Osborne, […], published 1743, →OCLC, pages 16–17: