Bitter principle

Principle Prin"ci*ple, n. [F. principe, L. principium beginning, foundation, fr. princeps, -cipis. See {Prince}.] 1. Beginning; commencement. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Doubting sad end of principle unsound. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

2. A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause. [1913 Webster]

The soul of man is an active principle. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]

3. An original faculty or endowment. [1913 Webster]

Nature in your principles hath set [benignity]. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Those active principles whose direct and ultimate object is the communication either of enjoyment or suffering. --Stewart. [1913 Webster]

4. A fundamental truth; a comprehensive law or doctrine, from which others are derived, or on which others are founded; a general truth; an elementary proposition; a maxim; an axiom; a postulate. [1913 Webster]

Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection. --Heb. vi. 1. [1913 Webster]

A good principle, not rightly understood, may prove as hurtful as a bad. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

5. A settled rule of action; a governing law of conduct; an opinion or belief which exercises a directing influence on the life and behavior; a rule (usually, a right rule) of conduct consistently directing one's actions; as, a person of no principle. [1913 Webster]

All kinds of dishonesty destroy our pretenses to an honest principle of mind. --Law. [1913 Webster]

6. (Chem.) Any original inherent constituent which characterizes a substance, or gives it its essential properties, and which can usually be separated by analysis; -- applied especially to drugs, plant extracts, etc. [1913 Webster]

Cathartine is the bitter, purgative principle of senna. --Gregory. [1913 Webster]

{Bitter principle}, {Principle of contradiction}, etc. See under {Bitter}, {Contradiction}, etc. [1913 Webster]