Principles of Nature

{{Short description|1801 book by Elihu Palmer}}

{{Italic title}}

{{wikisource|Principles of nature; or, a development of the morals causes of happiness and misery among the human species}}Principles of Nature, also known as The Principles of Nature, or A Development of the Moral Causes of Happiness and Misery among the Human Species, was a work written in 1801 by Elihu Palmer.{{cite web|url=http://www.clements.umich.edu/Exhibits/bannedbooks/entry11.html|title=Dangerous Ideas: Controversial Works from the William L. Clements Library - Principles of Nature|work=University of Michigan|publisher=William L. Clements Library|accessdate=13 December 2009}} The work was similar to Thomas Paine's writings, and focused on "God, Deism, "revealed" religions, etc."{{cite web|url=http://www.deism.com/principlesofnature.htm|title=Elihu Palmer's Principles of Nature|publisher=World Union of Deists|accessdate=13 December 2009}} It has been considered the Bible of American deism. Although Palmer first published in America, after his death, in 1819, Principles of Nature was published in England. Richard Carlile was fined and jailed for several years for publishing Palmer's work in Britain (among other works deemed blasphemous, including those by Thomas Paine) .