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diff --git a/old/nqpmr10.txt b/old/nqpmr10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e0ad154 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/nqpmr10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5772 @@ +The Project Gutenberg Etext An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals +by David Hume + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before distributing this or any other +Project Gutenberg file. + +We encourage you to keep this file, exactly as it is, on your +own disk, thereby keeping an electronic path open for future +readers. Please do not remove this. + +This header should be the first thing seen when anyone starts to +view the etext. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.10/04/01*END* + + + + + + +This etext was produced by John Mamoun (mamounjo@umdnj.edu), +Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + +AN ENQUIRY CONCERNING THE PRINCIPLES OF MORALS + +BY DAVID HUME + +A 1912 REPRINT OF THE EDITION OF 1777 + + + +INFORMATION ABOUT THIS E-TEXT EDITION + + + +The following is an e-text of a 1912 reprint of the 1777 edition +of David Hume's An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals. +Each page was cut out of the original book with an X-acto knife +and fed into an Automatic Document Feeder Scanner to make this +e-text, so the original book was disbinded in order to save it. + +Some adaptations from the original text were made while +formatting it for an e-text. Italics in the original book are +capitalized in this e-text. The original spellings of words are +preserved, such as "connexion" for "connection," "labour" for +"labor," etc. Original footnotes are put in brackets "[]" at the +points where they are cited in the text. + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS + + + +AUTHOR'S ADVERTISEMENT +CONTENTS PAGE +AN ENQUIRY CONCERNING THE PRINCIPLES OF MORALS +APPENDIX + + +AUTHOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. + + + +Most of the principles, and reasonings, contained in this volume, + +[Footnote: Volume II. of the posthumous edition of Hume's works +published in 1777 and containing, besides the present ENQUIRY, A +DISSERTATION ON THE PASSIONS, and AN ENQUIRY CONCERNING HUMAN +UNDERSTANDING. A reprint of this latter treatise has already +appeared in The Religion of Science Library (NO. 45)] + +were published in a work in three volumes, called A TREATISE OF +HUMAN NATURE: A work which the Author had projected before he +left College, and which he wrote and published not long after. +But not finding it successful, he was sensible of his error in +going to the press too early, and he cast the whole anew in the +following pieces, where some negligences in his former reasoning +and more in the expression, are, he hopes, corrected. Yet several +writers who have honoured the Author's Philosophy with answers, +have taken care to direct all their batteries against that +juvenile work, which the author never acknowledged, and have +affected to triumph in any advantages, which, they imagined, they +had obtained over it: A practice very contrary to all rules of +candour and fair-dealing, and a strong instance of those +polemical artifices which a bigotted zeal thinks itself +authorized to employ. Henceforth, the Author desires, that the +following Pieces may alone be regarded as containing his +philosophical sentiments and principles. + + + +CONTENTS PAGE + + I. Of the General Principles of Morals + II. Of Benevolence + III. Of Justice + IV. Of Political Society + V. Why Utility Pleases + VI. Of Qualities Useful to Ourselves + VII. Of Qualities Immediately Agreeable to Ourselves + VIII. Of Qualities Immediately Agreeable to Others + IX. Conclusion + +APPENDIX. + + I. Concerning Moral Sentiment + II. Of Self-love + III. Some Farther Considerations with Regard to Justice + IV. Of Some Verbal Disputes + + + +AN ENQUIRY CONCERNING THE PRINCIPLES OF MORALS + + + +SECTION I. + + + +OF THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF MORALS. + + + +DISPUTES with men, pertinaciously obstinate in their principles, +are, of all others, the most irksome; except, perhaps, those with +persons, entirely disingenuous, who really do not believe the +opinions they defend, but engage in the controversy, from +affectation, from a spirit of opposition, or from a desire of +showing wit and ingenuity, superior to the rest of mankind. The +same blind adherence to their own arguments is to be expected in +both; the same contempt of their antagonists; and the same +passionate vehemence, in inforcing sophistry and falsehood. And +as reasoning is not the source, whence either disputant derives +his tenets; it is in vain to expect, that any logic, which speaks +not to the affections, will ever engage him to embrace sounder +principles. + +Those who have denied the reality of moral distinctions, may be +ranked among the disingenuous disputants; nor is it conceivable, +that any human creature could ever seriously believe, that all +characters and actions were alike entitled to the affection and +regard of everyone. The difference, which nature has placed +between one man and another, is so wide, and this difference is +still so much farther widened, by education, example, and habit, +that, where the opposite extremes come at once under our +apprehension, there is no scepticism so scrupulous, and scarce +any assurance so determined, as absolutely to deny all +distinction between them. Let a man's insensibility be ever so +great, he must often be touched with the images of Right and +Wrong; and let his prejudices be ever so obstinate, he must +observe, that others are susceptible of like impressions. The +only way, therefore, of converting an antagonist of this kind, is +to leave him to himself. For, finding that nobody keeps up the +controversy with him, it is probable he will, at last, of +himself, from mere weariness, come over to the side of common +sense and reason. + +There has been a controversy started of late, much better worth +examination, concerning the general foundation of Morals; whether +they be derived from Reason, or from Sentiment; whether we attain +the knowledge of them by a chain of argument and induction, or by +an immediate feeling and finer internal sense; whether, like all +sound judgement of truth and falsehood, they should be the same +to every rational intelligent being; or whether, like the +perception of beauty and deformity, they be founded entirely on +the particular fabric and constitution of the human species. + +The ancient philosophers, though they often affirm, that virtue +is nothing but conformity to reason, yet, in general, seem to +consider morals as deriving their existence from taste and +sentiment. On the other hand, our modern enquirers, though they +also talk much of the beauty of virtue, and deformity of vice, +yet have commonly endeavoured to account for these distinctions +by metaphysical reasonings, and by deductions from the most +abstract principles of the understanding. Such confusion reigned +in these subjects, that an opposition of the greatest consequence +could prevail between one system and another, and even in the +parts of almost each individual system; and yet nobody, till very +lately, was ever sensible of it. The elegant Lord Shaftesbury, +who first gave occasion to remark this distinction, and who, in +general, adhered to the principles of the ancients, is not, +himself, entirely free from the same confusion. + +It must be acknowledged, that both sides of the question are +susceptible of specious arguments. Moral distinctions, it may be +said, are discernible by pure reason: else, whence the many +disputes that reign in common life, as well as in philosophy, +with regard to this subject: the long chain of proofs often +produced on both sides; the examples cited, the authorities +appealed to, the analogies employed, the fallacies detected, the +inferences drawn, and the several conclusions adjusted to their +proper principles. Truth is disputable; not taste: what exists in +the nature of things is the standard of our judgement; what each +man feels within himself is the standard of sentiment. +Propositions in geometry may be proved, systems in physics may be +controverted; but the harmony of verse, the tenderness of +passion, the brilliancy of wit, must give immediate pleasure. No +man reasons concerning another's beauty; but frequently +concerning the justice or injustice of his actions. In every +criminal trial the first object of the prisoner is to disprove +the facts alleged, and deny the actions imputed to him: the +second to prove, that, even if these actions were real, they +might be justified, as innocent and lawful. It is confessedly by +deductions of the understanding, that the first point is +ascertained: how can we suppose that a different faculty of the +mind is employed in fixing the other? On the other hand, those +who would resolve all moral determinations into sentiment, may +endeavour to show, that it is impossible for reason ever to draw +conclusions of this nature. To virtue, say they, it belongs to be +amiable, and vice odious. This forms their very nature or +essence. But can reason or argumentation distribute these +different epithets to any subjects, and pronounce beforehand, +that this must produce love, and that hatred? Or what other +reason can we ever assign for these affections, but the original +fabric and formation of the human mind, which is naturally +adapted to receive them? + +The end of all moral speculations is to teach us our duty; and, +by proper representations of the deformity of vice and beauty of +virtue, beget correspondent habits, and engage us to avoid the +one, and embrace the other. But is this ever to be expected from +inferences and conclusions of the understanding, which of +themselves have no hold of the affections or set in motion the +active powers of men? They discover truths: but where the truths +which they discover are indifferent, and beget no desire or +aversion, they can have no influence on conduct and behaviour. +What is honourable, what is fair, what is becoming, what is +noble, what is generous, takes possession of the heart, and +animates us to embrace and maintain it. What is intelligible, +what is evident, what is probable, what is true, procures only +the cool assent of the understanding; and gratifying a +speculative curiosity, puts an end to our researches. + +Extinguish all the warm feelings and prepossessions in favour of +virtue, and all disgust or aversion to vice: render men totally +indifferent towards these distinctions; and morality is no longer +a practical study, nor has any tendency to regulate our lives and +actions. + +These arguments on each side (and many more might be produced) +are so plausible, that I am apt to suspect, they may, the one as +well as the other, be solid and satisfactory, and that reason and +sentiment concur in almost all moral determinations and +conclusions. The final sentence, it is probable, which pronounces +characters and actions amiable or odious, praise-worthy or +blameable; that which stamps on them the mark of honour or +infamy, approbation or censure; that which renders morality an +active principle and constitutes virtue our happiness, and vice +our misery; it is probable, I say, that this final sentence +depends on some internal sense or feeling, which nature has made +universal in the whole species. For what else can have an +influence of this nature? But in order to pave the way for such a +sentiment, and give a proper discernment of its object, it is +often necessary, we find, that much reasoning should precede, +that nice distinctions be made, just conclusions drawn, distant +comparisons formed, complicated relations examined, and general +facts fixed and ascertained. Some species of beauty, especially +the natural kinds, on their first appearance, command our +affection and approbation; and where they fail of this effect, it +is impossible for any reasoning to redress their influence, or +adapt them better to our taste and sentiment. But in many orders +of beauty, particularly those of the finer arts, it is requisite +to employ much reasoning, in order to feel the proper sentiment; +and a false relish may frequently be corrected by argument and +reflection. There are just grounds to conclude, that moral beauty +partakes much of this latter species, and demands the assistance +of our intellectual faculties, in order to give it a suitable +influence on the human mind. + +But though this question, concerning the general principles of +morals, be curious and important, it is needless for us, at +present, to employ farther care in our researches concerning it. +For if we can be so happy, in the course of this enquiry, as to +discover the true origin of morals, it will then easily appear +how far either sentiment or reason enters into all determinations +of this nature [Footnote: See Appendix I]. In order to attain +this purpose, we shall endeavour to follow a very simple method: +we shall analyse that complication of mental qualities, which +form what, in common life, we call Personal Merit: we shall +consider every attribute of the mind, which renders a man an +object either of esteem and affection, or of hatred and contempt; +every habit or sentiment or faculty, which, if ascribed to any +person, implies either praise or blame, and may enter into any +panegyric or satire of his character and manners. The quick +sensibility, which, on this head, is so universal among mankind, +gives a philosopher sufficient assurance, that he can never be +considerably mistaken in framing the catalogue, or incur any +danger of misplacing the objects of his contemplation: he needs +only enter into his own breast for a moment, and consider whether +or not he should desire to have this or that quality ascribed to +him, and whether such or such an imputation would proceed from a +friend or an enemy. The very nature of language guides us almost +infallibly in forming a judgement of this nature; and as every +tongue possesses one set of words which are taken in a good +sense, and another in the opposite, the least acquaintance with +the idiom suffices, without any reasoning, to direct us in +collecting and arranging the estimable or blameable qualities of +men. The only object of reasoning is to discover the +circumstances on both sides, which are common to these qualities; +to observe that particular in which the estimable qualities agree +on the one hand, and the blameable on the other; and thence to +reach the foundation of ethics, and find those universal +principles, from which all censure or approbation is ultimately +derived. As this is a question of fact, not of abstract science, +we can only expect success, by following the experimental method, +and deducing general maxims from a comparison of particular +instances. The other scientific method, where a general abstract +principle is first established, and is afterwards branched out +into a variety of inferences and conclusions, may be more perfect +in itself, but suits less the imperfection of human nature, and +is a common source of illusion and mistake in this as well as in +other subjects. Men are now cured of their passion for hypotheses +and systems in natural philosophy, and will hearken to no +arguments but those which are derived from experience. It is full +time they should attempt a like reformation in all moral +disquisitions; and reject every system of ethics, however subtle +or ingenious, which is not founded on fact and observation. + +We shall begin our enquiry on this head by the consideration of +the social virtues, Benevolence and Justice. The explication of +them will probably give us an opening by which the others may be +accounted for. + + + +SECTION II. + + + +OF BENEVOLENCE. + + + +PART I. + + + +It may be esteemed, perhaps, a superfluous task to prove, that +the benevolent or softer affections are estimable; and wherever +they appear, engage the approbation and good-will of mankind. The +epithets SOCIABLE, GOOD-NATURED, HUMANE, MERCIFUL, GRATEFUL, +FRIENDLY, GENEROUS, BENEFICENT, or their equivalents, are known +in all languages, and universally express the highest merit, +which HUMAN NATURE is capable of attaining. Where these amiable +qualities are attended with birth and power and eminent +abilities, and display themselves in the good government or +useful instruction of mankind, they seem even to raise the +possessors of them above the rank of HUMAN NATURE, and make them +approach in some measure to the divine. Exalted capacity, +undaunted courage, prosperous success; these may only expose a +hero or politician to the envy and ill-will of the public: but as +soon as the praises are added of humane and beneficent; when +instances are displayed of lenity, tenderness or friendship; envy +itself is silent, or joins the general voice of approbation and +applause. + +When Pericles, the great Athenian statesman and general, was on +his death-bed, his surrounding friends, deeming him now +insensible, began to indulge their sorrow for their expiring +patron, by enumerating his great qualities and successes, his +conquests and victories, the unusual length of his +administration, and his nine trophies erected over the enemies of +the republic. YOU FORGET, cries the dying hero, who had heard +all, YOU FORGET THE MOST EMINENT OF MY PRAISES, WHILE YOU DWELL +SO MUCH ON THOSE VULGAR ADVANTAGES, IN WHICH FORTUNE HAD A +PRINCIPAL SHARE. YOU HAVE NOT OBSERVED THAT NO CITIZEN HAS EVER +YET WORNE MOURNING ON MY ACCOUNT. [Plut. in Pericle] + +In men of more ordinary talents and capacity, the social virtues +become, if possible, still more essentially requisite; there +being nothing eminent, in that case, to compensate for the want +of them, or preserve the person from our severest hatred, as well +as contempt. A high ambition, an elevated courage, is apt, says +Cicero, in less perfect characters, to degenerate into a +turbulent ferocity. The more social and softer virtues are there +chiefly to be regarded. These are always good and amiable [Cic. +de Officiis, lib. I]. + +The principal advantage, which Juvenal discovers in the extensive +capacity of the human species, is that it renders our benevolence +also more extensive, and gives us larger opportunities of +spreading our kindly influence than what are indulged to the +inferior creation [Sat. XV. 139 and seq.]. It must, indeed, be +confessed, that by doing good only, can a man truly enjoy the +advantages of being eminent. His exalted station, of itself but +the more exposes him to danger and tempest. His sole prerogative +is to afford shelter to inferiors, who repose themselves under +his cover and protection. + +But I forget, that it is not my present business to recommend +generosity and benevolence, or to paint, in their true colours, +all the genuine charms of the social virtues. These, indeed, +sufficiently engage every heart, on the first apprehension of +them; and it is difficult to abstain from some sally of +panegyric, as often as they occur in discourse or reasoning. But +our object here being more the speculative, than the practical +part of morals, it will suffice to remark, (what will readily, I +believe, be allowed) that no qualities are more intitled to the +general good-will and approbation of mankind than beneficence and +humanity, friendship and gratitude, natural affection and public +spirit, or whatever proceeds from a tender sympathy with others, +and a generous concern for our kind and species. These wherever +they appear seem to transfuse themselves, in a manner, into each +beholder, and to call forth, in their own behalf, the same +favourable and affectionate sentiments, which they exert on all +around. + + + +PART II. + + + +We may observe that, in displaying the praises of any humane, +beneficent man, there is one circumstance which never fails to be +amply insisted on, namely, the happiness and satisfaction, +derived to society from his intercourse and good offices. To his +parents, we are apt to say, he endears himself by his pious +attachment and duteous care still more than by the connexions of +nature. His children never feel his authority, but when employed +for their advantage. With him, the ties of love are consolidated +by beneficence and friendship. The ties of friendship approach, +in a fond observance of each obliging office, to those of love +and inclination. His domestics and dependants have in him a sure +resource; and no longer dread the power of fortune, but so far as +she exercises it over him. From him the hungry receive food, the +naked clothing, the ignorant and slothful skill and industry. +Like the sun, an inferior minister of providence he cheers, +invigorates, and sustains the surrounding world. + +If confined to private life, the sphere of his activity is +narrower; but his influence is all benign and gentle. If exalted +into a higher station, mankind and posterity reap the fruit of +his labours. + +As these topics of praise never fail to be employed, and with +success, where we would inspire esteem for any one; may it not +thence be concluded, that the utility, resulting from the social +virtues, forms, at least, a PART of their merit, and is one +source of that approbation and regard so universally paid to +them? + +When we recommend even an animal or a plant as USEFUL and +BENEFICIAL, we give it an applause and recommendation suited to +its nature. As, on the other hand, reflection on the baneful +influence of any of these inferior beings always inspires us with +the sentiment of aversion. The eye is pleased with the prospect +of corn-fields and loaded vine-yards; horses grazing, and flocks +pasturing: but flies the view of briars and brambles, affording +shelter to wolves and serpents. + +A machine, a piece of furniture, a vestment, a house well +contrived for use and conveniency, is so far beautiful, and is +contemplated with pleasure and approbation. An experienced eye is +here sensible to many excellencies, which escape persons ignorant +and uninstructed. + +Can anything stronger be said in praise of a profession, such as +merchandize or manufacture, than to observe the advantages which +it procures to society; and is not a monk and inquisitor enraged +when we treat his order as useless or pernicious to mankind? + +The historian exults in displaying the benefit arising from his +labours. The writer of romance alleviates or denies the bad +consequences ascribed to his manner of composition. + +In general, what praise is implied in the simple epithet USEFUL! +What reproach in the contrary! + +Your Gods, says Cicero [De Nat. Deor. lib. i.], in opposition to +the Epicureans, cannot justly claim any worship or adoration, +with whatever imaginary perfections you may suppose them endowed. +They are totally useless and inactive. Even the Egyptians, whom +you so much ridicule, never consecrated any animal but on account +of its utility. + +The sceptics assert [Sext. Emp. adrersus Math. lib. viii.], +though absurdly, that the origin of all religious worship was +derived from the utility of inanimate objects, as the sun and +moon, to the support and well-being of mankind. This is also the +common reason assigned by historians, for the deification of +eminent heroes and legislators [Diod. Sic. passim.]. + +To plant a tree, to cultivate a field, to beget children; +meritorious acts, according to the religion of Zoroaster. + +In all determinations of morality, this circumstance of public +utility is ever principally in view; and wherever disputes arise, +either in philosophy or common life, concerning the bounds of +duty, the question cannot, by any means, be decided with greater +certainty, than by ascertaining, on any side, the true interests +of mankind. If any false opinion, embraced from appearances, has +been found to prevail; as soon as farther experience and sounder +reasoning have given us juster notions of human affairs, we +retract our first sentiment, and adjust anew the boundaries of +moral good and evil. + +Giving alms to common beggars is naturally praised; because it +seems to carry relief to the distressed and indigent: but when we +observe the encouragement thence arising to idleness and +debauchery, we regard that species of charity rather as a +weakness than a virtue. + +Tyrannicide, or the assassination of usurpers and oppressive +princes, was highly extolled in ancient times; because it both +freed mankind from many of these monsters, and seemed to keep the +others in awe, whom the sword or poinard could not reach. But +history and experience having since convinced us, that this +practice increases the jealousy and cruelty of princes, a +Timoleon and a Brutus, though treated with indulgence on account +of the prejudices of their times, are now considered as very +improper models for imitation. + +Liberality in princes is regarded as a mark of beneficence, but +when it occurs, that the homely bread of the honest and +industrious is often thereby converted into delicious cates for +the idle and the prodigal, we soon retract our heedless praises. +The regrets of a prince, for having lost a day, were noble and +generous: but had he intended to have spent it in acts of +generosity to his greedy courtiers, it was better lost than +misemployed after that manner. + +Luxury, or a refinement on the pleasures and conveniences of +life, had not long been supposed the source of every corruption +in government, and the immediate cause of faction, sedition, +civil wars, and the total loss of liberty. It was, therefore, +universally regarded as a vice, and was an object of declamation +to all satirists, and severe moralists. Those, who prove, or +attempt to prove, that such refinements rather tend to the +increase of industry, civility, and arts regulate anew our MORAL +as well as POLITICAL sentiments, and represent, as laudable or +innocent, what had formerly been regarded as pernicious and +blameable. + +Upon the whole, then, it seems undeniable, THAT nothing can +bestow more merit on any human creature than the sentiment of +benevolence in an eminent degree; and THAT a PART, at least, of +its merit arises from its tendency to promote the interests of +our species, and bestow happiness on human society. We carry our +view into the salutary consequences of such a character and +disposition; and whatever has so benign an influence, and +forwards so desirable an end, is beheld with complacency and +pleasure. The social virtues are never regarded without their +beneficial tendencies, nor viewed as barren and unfruitful. The +happiness of mankind, the order of society, the harmony of +families, the mutual support of friends, are always considered as +the result of their gentle dominion over the breasts of men. + +How considerable a PART of their merit we ought to ascribe to +their utility, will better appear from future disquisitions; +[Footnote: Sect. III. and IV.] as well as the reason, why this +circumstance has such a command over our esteem and approbation. +[Footnote: Sect. V.] + + + +SECTION III. + +OF JUSTICE. + + + +PART I. + + + +THAT Justice is useful to society, and consequently that PART of +its merit, at least, must arise from that consideration, it would +be a superfluous undertaking to prove. That public utility is the +SOLE origin of justice, and that reflections on the beneficial +consequences of this virtue are the SOLE foundation of its merit; +this proposition, being more curious and important, will better +deserve our examination and enquiry. + +Let us suppose that nature has bestowed on the human race such +profuse ABUNDANCE of all EXTERNAL conveniencies, that, without +any uncertainty in the event, without any care or industry on our +part, every individual finds himself fully provided with whatever +his most voracious appetites can want, or luxurious imagination +wish or desire. His natural beauty, we shall suppose, surpasses +all acquired ornaments: the perpetual clemency of the seasons +renders useless all clothes or covering: the raw herbage affords +him the most delicious fare; the clear fountain, the richest +beverage. No laborious occupation required: no tillage: no +navigation. Music, poetry, and contemplation form his sole +business: conversation, mirth, and friendship his sole amusement. +It seems evident that, in such a happy state, every other social +virtue would flourish, and receive tenfold increase; but the +cautious, jealous virtue of justice would never once have been +dreamed of. For what purpose make a partition of goods, where +every one has already more than enough? Why give rise to +property, where there cannot possibly be any injury? Why call +this object MINE, when upon the seizing of it by another, I need +but stretch out my hand to possess myself to what is equally +valuable? Justice, in that case, being totally useless, would be +an idle ceremonial, and could never possibly have place in the +catalogue of virtues. + +We see, even in the present necessitous condition of mankind, +that, wherever any benefit is bestowed by nature in an unlimited +abundance, we leave it always in common among the whole human +race, and make no subdivisions of right and property. Water and +air, though the most necessary of all objects, are not challenged +as the property of individuals; nor can any man commit injustice +by the most lavish use and enjoyment of these blessings. In +fertile extensive countries, with few inhabitants, land is +regarded on the same footing. And no topic is so much insisted on +by those, who defend the liberty of the seas, as the unexhausted +use of them in navigation. Were the advantages, procured by +navigation, as inexhaustible, these reasoners had never had any +adversaries to refute; nor had any claims ever been advanced of a +separate, exclusive dominion over the ocean. + +It may happen, in some countries, at some periods, that there be +established a property in water, none in land [Footnote: Genesis, +cbaps. xiii. and xxi.]; if the latter be in greater abundance +than can be used by the inhabitants, and the former be found, +with difficulty, and in very small quantities. + +Again; suppose, that, though the necessities of human race +continue the same as at present, yet the mind is so enlarged, and +so replete with friendship and generosity, that every man has the +utmost tenderness for every man, and feels no more concern for +his own interest than for that of his fellows; it seems evident, +that the use of justice would, in this case, be suspended by such +an extensive benevolence, nor would the divisions and barriers of +property and obligation have ever been thought of. Why should I +bind another, by a deed or promise, to do me any good office, +when I know that he is already prompted, by the strongest +inclination, to seek my happiness, and would, of himself, perform +the desired service; except the hurt, he thereby receives, be +greater than the benefit accruing to me? in which case, he knows, +that, from my innate humanity and friendship, I should be the +first to oppose myself to his imprudent generosity. Why raise +landmarks between my neighbour's field and mine, when my heart +has made no division between our interests; but shares all his +joys and sorrows with the same force and vivacity as if +originally my own? Every man, upon this supposition, being a +second self to another, would trust all his interests to the +discretion of every man; without jealousy, without partition, +without distinction. And the whole human race would form only one +family; where all would lie in common, and be used freely, +without regard to property; but cautiously too, with as entire +regard to the necessities of each individual, as if our own +interests were most intimately concerned. + +In the present disposition of the human heart, it would, perhaps, +be difficult to find complete instances of such enlarged +affections; but still we may observe, that the case of families +approaches towards it; and the stronger the mutual benevolence is +among the individuals, the nearer it approaches; till all +distinction of property be, in a great measure, lost and +confounded among them. Between married persons, the cement of +friendship is by the laws supposed so strong as to abolish all +division of possessions; and has often, in reality, the force +ascribed to it. And it is observable, that, during the ardour of +new enthusiasms, when every principle is inflamed into +extravagance, the community of goods has frequently been +attempted; and nothing but experience of its inconveniencies, +from the returning or disguised selfishness of men, could make +the imprudent fanatics adopt anew the ideas of justice and of +separate property. So true is it, that this virtue derives its +existence entirely from its necessary USE to the intercourse and +social state of mankind. + +To make this truth more evident, let us reverse the foregoing +suppositions; and carrying everything to the opposite extreme, +consider what would be the effect of these new situations. +Suppose a society to fall into such want of all common +necessaries, that the utmost frugality and industry cannot +preserve the greater number from perishing, and the whole from +extreme misery; it will readily, I believe, be admitted, that the +strict laws of justice are suspended, in such a pressing +emergence, and give place to the stronger motives of necessity +and self-preservation. Is it any crime, after a shipwreck, to +seize whatever means or instrument of safety one can lay hold of, +without regard to former limitations of property? Or if a city +besieged were perishing with hunger; can we imagine, that men +will see any means of preservation before them, and lose their +lives, from a scrupulous regard to what, in other situations, +would be the rules of equity and justice? The use and tendency of +that virtue is to procure happiness and security, by preserving +order in society: but where the society is ready to perish from +extreme necessity, no greater evil can be dreaded from violence +and injustice; and every man may now provide for himself by all +the means, which prudence can dictate, or humanity permit. The +public, even in less urgent necessities, opens granaries, without +the consent of proprietors; as justly supposing, that the +authority of magistracy may, consistent with equity, extend so +far: but were any number of men to assemble, without the tie of +laws or civil jurisdiction; would an equal partition of bread in +a famine, though effected by power and even violence, be regarded +as criminal or injurious? + +Suppose likewise, that it should be a virtuous man's fate to fall +into the society of ruffians, remote from the protection of laws +and government; what conduct must he embrace in that melancholy +situation? He sees such a desperate rapaciousness prevail; such a +disregard to equity, such contempt of order, such stupid +blindness to future consequences, as must immediately have the +most tragical conclusion, and must terminate in destruction to +the greater number, and in a total dissolution of society to the +rest. He, meanwhile, can have no other expedient than to arm +himself, to whomever the sword he seizes, or the buckler, may +belong: To make provision of all means of defence and security: +And his particular regard to justice being no longer of use to +his own safety or that of others, he must consult the dictates of +self-preservation alone, without concern for those who no longer +merit his care and attention. + +When any man, even in political society, renders himself by his +crimes, obnoxious to the public, he is punished by the laws in +his goods and person; that is, the ordinary rules of justice are, +with regard to him, suspended for a moment, and it becomes +equitable to inflict on him, for the BENEFIT of society, what +otherwise he could not suffer without wrong or injury. + +The rage and violence of public war; what is it but a suspension +of justice among the warring parties, who perceive, that this +virtue is now no longer of any USE or advantage to them? The laws +of war, which then succeed to those of equity and justice, are +rules calculated for the ADVANTAGE and UTILTIY of that particular +state, in which men are now placed. And were a civilized nation +engaged with barbarians, who observed no rules even of war, the +former must also suspend their observance of them, where they no +longer serve to any purpose; and must render every action or +recounter as bloody and pernicious as possible to the first +aggressors. + +Thus, the rules of equity or justice depend entirely on the +particular state and condition in which men are placed, and owe +their origin and existence to that utility, which results to the +public from their strict and regular observance. Reverse, in any +considerable circumstance, the condition of men: Produce extreme +abundance or extreme necessity: Implant in the human breast +perfect moderation and humanity, or perfect rapaciousness and +malice: By rendering justice totally USELESS, you thereby totally +destroy its essence, and suspend its obligation upon mankind. The +common situation of society is a medium amidst all these +extremes. We are naturally partial to ourselves, and to our +friends; but are capable of learning the advantage resulting from +a more equitable conduct. Few enjoyments are given us from the +open and liberal hand of nature; but by art, labour, and +industry, we can extract them in great abundance. Hence the ideas +of property become necessary in all civil society: Hence justice +derives its usefulness to the public: And hence alone arises its +merit and moral obligation. + +These conclusions are so natural and obvious, that they have not +escaped even the poets, in their descriptions of the felicity +attending the golden age or the reign of Saturn. The seasons, in +that first period of nature, were so temperate, if we credit +these agreeable fictions, that there was no necessity for men to +provide themselves with clothes and houses, as a security against +the violence of heat and cold: The rivers flowed with wine and +milk: The oaks yielded honey; and nature spontaneously produced +her greatest delicacies. Nor were these the chief advantages of +that happy age. Tempests were not alone removed from nature; but +those more furious tempests were unknown to human breasts, which +now cause such uproar, and engender such confusion. Avarice, +ambition, cruelty, selfishness, were never heard of: Cordial +affection, compassion, sympathy, were the only movements with +which the mind was yet acquainted. Even the punctilious +distinction of MINE and THINE was banished from among the happy +race of mortals, and carried with it the very notion of property +and obligation, justice and injustice. + +This POETICAL fiction of the GOLDEN AGE, is in some respects, of +a piece with the PHILOSOPHICAL fiction of the STATE OF NATURE; +only that the former is represented as the most charming and most +peaceable condition, which can possibly be imagined; whereas the +latter is painted out as a state of mutual war and violence, +attended with the most extreme necessity. On the first origin of +mankind, we are told, their ignorance and savage nature were so +prevalent, that they could give no mutual trust, but must each +depend upon himself and his own force or cunning for protection +and security. No law was heard of: No rule of justice known: No +distinction of property regarded: Power was the only measure of +right; and a perpetual war of all against all was the result of +men's untamed selfishness and barbarity. + +[Footnote: This fiction of a state of nature, as a state of war, +was not first started by Mr. Hobbes, as is commonly imagined. +Plato endeavours to refute an hypothesis very like it in the +second, third, and fourth books de republica. Cicero, on the +contrary, supposes it certain and universally acknowledged in the +following passage. 'Quis enim vestrum, judices, ignorat, ita +naturam rerum tulisse, ut quodam tempore homines, nondum neque +naturali neque civili jure descripto, fusi per agros ac dispersi +vagarentur tantumque haberent quantum manu ac viribus, per caedem +ac vulnera, aut eripere aut retinere potuissent? Qui igitur primi +virtute & consilio praestanti extiterunt, ii perspecto genere +humanae docilitatis atque ingenii, dissipatos unum in locum +congregarunt, eosque ex feritate illa ad justitiam ac +mansuetudinem transduxerunt. Tum res ad communem utilitatem, quas +publicas appellamus, tum conventicula hominum, quae postea +civitates nominatae sunt, tum domicilia conjuncta, quas urbes +dicamus, invento & divino & humano jure moenibus sepserunt. Atque +inter hanc vitam, perpolitam humanitate, & llam immanem, nihil +tam interest quam JUS atque VIS. Horum utro uti nolimus, altero +est utendum. Vim volumus extingui. Jus valeat necesse est, idi +est, judicia, quibus omne jus continetur. Judicia displicent, ant +nulla sunt. Vis dominetur necesse est. Haec vident omnes.' Pro +Sext. sec. 42.] + +Whether such a condition of human nature could ever exist, or if +it did, could continue so long as to merit the appellation of a +STATE, may justly be doubted. Men are necessarily born in a +family-society, at least; and are trained up by their parents to +some rule of conduct and behaviour. But this must be admitted, +that, if such a state of mutual war and violence was ever real, +the suspension of all laws of justice, from their absolute +inutility, is a necessary and infallible consequence. + +The more we vary our views of human life, and the newer and more +unusual the lights are in which we survey it, the more shall we +be convinced, that the origin here assigned for the virtue of +justice is real and satisfactory. + +Were there a species of creatures intermingled with men, which, +though rational, were possessed of such inferior strength, both +of body and mind, that they were incapable of all resistance, and +could never, upon the highest provocation, make us feel the +effects of their resentment; the necessary consequence, I think, +is that we should be bound by the laws of humanity to give gentle +usage to these creatures, but should not, properly speaking, lie +under any restraint of justice with regard to them, nor could +they possess any right or property, exclusive of such arbitrary +lords. Our intercourse with them could not be called society, +which supposes a degree of equality; but absolute command on the +one side, and servile obedience on the other. Whatever we covet, +they must instantly resign: Our permission is the only tenure, by +which they hold their possessions: Our compassion and kindness +the only check, by which they curb our lawless will: And as no +inconvenience ever results from the exercise of a power, so +firmly established in nature, the restraints of justice and +property, being totally USELESS, would never have place in so +unequal a confederacy. + +This is plainly the situation of men, with regard to animals; and +how far these may be said to possess reason, I leave it to others +to determine. The great superiority of civilized Europeans above +barbarous Indians, tempted us to imagine ourselves on the same +footing with regard to them, and made us throw off all restraints +of justice, and even of humanity, in our treatment of them. In +many nations, the female sex are reduced to like slavery, and are +rendered incapable of all property, in opposition to their lordly +masters. But though the males, when united, have in all countries +bodily force sufficient to maintain this severe tyranny, yet such +are the insinuation, address, and charms of their fair companions, +that women are commonly able to break the confederacy, and share +with the other sex in all the rights and privileges of society. + +Were the human species so framed by nature as that each +individual possessed within himself every faculty, requisite both +for his own preservation and for the propagation of his kind: +Were all society and intercourse cut off between man and man, by +the primary intention of the supreme Creator: It seems evident, +that so solitary a being would be as much incapable of justice, +as of social discourse and conversation. Where mutual regards and +forbearance serve to no manner of purpose, they would never +direct the conduct of any reasonable man. The headlong course of +the passions would be checked by no reflection on future +consequences. And as each man is here supposed to love himself +alone, and to depend only on himself and his own activity for +safety and happiness, he would, on every occasion, to the utmost +of his power, challenge the preference above every other being, +to none of which he is bound by any ties, either of nature or of +interest. But suppose the conjunction of the sexes to be +established in nature, a family immediately arises; and +particular rules being found requisite for its subsistence, these +are immediately embraced; though without comprehending the rest +of mankind within their prescriptions. Suppose that several +families unite together into one society, which is totally +disjoined from all others, the rules, which preserve peace and +order, enlarge themselves to the utmost extent of that society; +but becoming then entirely useless, lose their force when carried +one step farther. But again suppose, that several distinct +societies maintain a kind of intercourse for mutual convenience +and advantage, the boundaries of justice still grow larger, in +proportion to the largeness of men's views, and the force of +their mutual connexions. History, experience, reason sufficiently +instruct us in this natural progress of human sentiments, and in +the gradual enlargement of our regards to justice, in proportion +as we become acquainted with the extensive utility of that +virtue. + + + +PART II. + + + +If we examine the PARTICULAR laws, by which justice is directed, +and property determined; we shall still be presented with the +same conclusion. The good of mankind is the only object of all +these laws and regulations. Not only is it requisite, for the +peace and interest of society, that men's possessions should be +separated; but the rules, which we follow, in making the +separation, are such as can best be contrived to serve farther +the interests of society. + +We shall suppose that a creature, possessed of reason, but +unacquainted with human nature, deliberates with himself what +rules of justice or property would best promote public interest, +and establish peace and security among mankind: His most obvious +thought would be, to assign the largest possessions to the most +extensive virtue, and give every one the power of doing good, +proportioned to his inclination. In a perfect theocracy, where a +being, infinitely intelligent, governs by particular volitions, +this rule would certainly have place, and might serve to the +wisest purposes: But were mankind to execute such a law; so great +is the uncertainty of merit, both from its natural obscurity, and +from the self-conceit of each individual, that no determinate +rule of conduct would ever result from it; and the total +dissolution of society must be the immediate consequence. +Fanatics may suppose, THAT DOMINION IS FOUNDED ON GRACE, and THAT +SAINTS ALONE INHERIT THE EARTH; but the civil magistrate very +justly puts these sublime theorists on the same footing with +common robbers, and teaches them by the severest discipline, that +a rule, which, in speculation, may seem the most advantageous to +society, may yet be found, in practice, totally pernicious and +destructive. + +That there were RELIGIOUS fanatics of this kind in England, +during the civil wars, we learn from history; though it is +probable, that the obvious TENDENCY of these principles excited +such horror in mankind, as soon obliged the dangerous enthusiasts +to renounce, or at least conceal their tenets. Perhaps the +LEVELLERS, who claimed an equal distribution of property, were a +kind of POLITICAL fanatics, which arose from the religious +species, and more openly avowed their pretensions; as carrying a +more plausible appearance, of being practicable in themselves, as +well as useful to human society. It must, indeed, be confessed, +that nature is so liberal to mankind, that, were all her presents +equally divided among the species, and improved by art and +industry, every individual would enjoy all the necessaries, and +even most of the comforts of life; nor would ever be liable to +any ills but such as might accidentally arise from the sickly +frame and constitution of his body. It must also be confessed, +that, wherever we depart from this equality, we rob the poor of +more satisfaction than we add to the rich, and that the slight +gratification of a frivolous vanity, in one individual, +frequently costs more than bread to many families, and even +provinces. It may appear withal, that the rule of equality, as it +would be highly USEFUL, is not altogether IMPRACTICABLE; but has +taken place, at least in an imperfect degree, in some republics; +particularly that of Sparta; where it was attended, it is said, +with the most beneficial consequences. Not to mention that the +Agrarian laws, so frequently claimed in Rome, and carried into +execution in many Greek cities, proceeded, all of them, from a +general idea of the utility of this principle. + +But historians, and even common sense, may inform us, that, +however specious these ideas of PERFECT equality may seem, they +are really, at bottom, IMPRACTICABLE; and were they not so, would +be extremely PERNICIOUS to human society. Render possessions ever +so equal, men's different degrees of art, care, and industry will +immediately break that equality. Or if you check these virtues, +you reduce society to the most extreme indigence; and instead of +preventing want and beggary in a few, render it unavoidable to +the whole community. The most rigorous inquisition too is +requisite to watch every inequality on its first appearance; and +the most severe jurisdiction, to punish and redress it. But +besides, that so much authority must soon degenerate into +tyranny, and be exerted with great partialities; who can possibly +be possessed of it, in such a situation as is here supposed? +Perfect equality of possessions, destroying all subordination, +weakens extremely the authority of magistracy, and must reduce +all power nearly to a level, as well as property. + +We may conclude, therefore, that, in order to establish laws for +the regulation of property, we must be acquainted with the nature +and situation of man; must reject appearances, which may be +false, though specious; and must search for those rules, which +are, on the whole, most USEFUL and BENEFICIAL. Vulgar sense and +slight experience are sufficient for this purpose; where men give +not way to too selfish avidity, or too extensive enthusiasm. + +Who sees not, for instance, that whatever is produced or improved +by a man's art or industry ought, for ever, to be secured to him, +in order to give encouragement to such USEFUL habits and +accomplishments? That the property ought also to descend to +children and relations, for the same USEFUL purpose? That it may +be alienated by consent, in order to beget that commerce and +intercourse, which is so BENEFICIAL to human society? And that +all contracts and promises ought carefully to be fulfilled, in +order to secure mutual trust and confidence, by which the general +INTEREST of mankind is so much promoted? + +Examine the writers on the laws of nature; and you will always +find, that, whatever principles they set out with, they are sure +to terminate here at last, and to assign, as the ultimate reason +for every rule which they establish, the convenience and +necessities of mankind. A concession thus extorted, in opposition +to systems, has more authority than if it had been made in +prosecution of them. + +What other reason, indeed, could writers ever give, why this must +be MINE and that YOURS; since uninstructed nature surely never +made any such distinction? The objects which receive those +appellations are, of themselves, foreign to us; they are totally +disjoined and separated from us; and nothing but the general +interests of society can form the connexion. + +Sometimes the interests of society may require a rule of justice +in a particular case; but may not determine any particular rule, +among several, which are all equally beneficial. In that case, +the slightest analogies are laid hold of, in order to prevent +that indifference and ambiguity, which would be the source of +perpetual dissension. Thus possession alone, and first +possession, is supposed to convey property, where no body else +has any preceding claim and pretension. Many of the reasonings of +lawyers are of this analogical nature, and depend on very slight +connexions of the imagination. + +Does any one scruple, in extraordinary cases, to violate all +regard to the private property of individuals, and sacrifice to +public interest a distinction which had been established for the +sake of that interest? The safety of the people is the supreme +law: All other particular laws are subordinate to it, and +dependent on it: And if, in the COMMON course of things, they be +followed and regarded; it is only because the public safety and +interest COMMONLY demand so equal and impartial an +administration. + +Sometimes both UTILITY and ANALOGY fail, and leave the laws of +justice in total uncertainty. Thus, it is highly requisite, that +prescription or long possession should convey property; but what +number of days or months or years should be sufficient for that +purpose, it is impossible for reason alone to determine. CIVIL +LAWS here supply the place of the natural CODE, and assign +different terms for prescription, according to the different +UTILITIES, proposed by the legislator. Bills of exchange and +promissory notes, by the laws of most countries, prescribe sooner +than bonds, and mortgages, and contracts of a more formal nature. + +In general we may observe that all questions of property are +subordinate to the authority of civil laws, which extend, +restrain, modify, and alter the rules of natural justice, +according to the particular CONVENIENCE of each community. The +laws have, or ought to have, a constant reference to the +constitution of government, the manners, the climate, the +religion, the commerce, the situation of each society. A late +author of genius, as well as learning, has prosecuted this +subject at large, and has established, from these principles, a +system of political knowledge, which abounds in ingenious and +brilliant thoughts, and is not wanting in solidity. + + + +[Footnote: The author of L'ESPRIT DES LOIX, This illustrious +writer, however, sets out with a different theory, and supposes +all right to be founded on certain RAPPORTS or relations; which +is a system, that, in my opinion, never will be reconciled with +true philosophy. Father Malebranche, as far as I can learn, was +the first that started this abstract theory of morals, which was +afterwards adopted by Cudworth, Clarke, and others; and as it +excludes all sentiment, and pretends to found everything on +reason, it has not wanted followers in this philosophic age. See +Section I, Appendix I. With regard to justice, the virtue here +treated of, the inference against this theory seems short and +conclusive. Property is allowed to be dependent on civil laws; +civil laws are allowed to have no other object, but the interest +of society: This therefore must be allowed to be the sole +foundation of property and justice. Not to mention, that our +obligation itself to obey the magistrate and his laws is founded +on nothing but the interests of society. + +If the ideas of justice, sometimes, do not follow the +dispositions of civil law; we shall find, that these cases, +instead of objections, are confirmations of the theory delivered +above. Where a civil law is so perverse as to cross all the +interests of society, it loses all its authority, and men judge +by the ideas of natural justice, which are conformable to those +interests. Sometimes also civil laws, for useful purposes, +require a ceremony or form to any deed; and where that is +wanting, their decrees run contrary to the usual tenour of +justice; but one who takes advantage of such chicanes, is not +commonly regarded as an honest man. Thus, the interests of +society require, that contracts be fulfilled; and there is not a +more material article either of natural or civil justice: But the +omission of a trifling circumstance will often, by law, +invalidate a contract, in foro humano, but not in foro +conscientiae, as divines express themselves. In these cases, the +magistrate is supposed only to withdraw his power of enforcing +the right, not to have altered the right. Where his intention +extends to the right, and is conformable to the interests of +society; it never fails to alter the right; a clear proof of the +origin of justice and of property, as assigned above.] + + + +WHAT IS A MAN'S PROPERTY? Anything which it is lawful for him, +and for him alone, to use. BUT WHAT RULE HAVE WE, BY WHICH WE CAN +DISTINGUISH THESE OBJECTS? Here we must have recourse to +statutes, customs, precedents, analogies, and a hundred other +circumstances; some of which are constant and inflexible, some +variable and arbitrary. But the ultimate point, in which they all +professedly terminate, is the interest and happiness of human +society. Where this enters not into consideration, nothing can +appear more whimsical, unnatural, and even superstitious, than +all or most of the laws of justice and of property. + +Those who ridicule vulgar superstitions, and expose the folly of +particular regards to meats, days, places, postures, apparel, +have an easy task; while they consider all the qualities and +relations of the objects, and discover no adequate cause for that +affection or antipathy, veneration or horror, which have so +mighty an influence over a considerable part of mankind. A Syrian +would have starved rather than taste pigeon; an Egyptian would +not have approached bacon: But if these species of food be +examined by the senses of sight, smell, or taste, or scrutinized +by the sciences of chemistry, medicine, or physics, no difference +is ever found between them and any other species, nor can that +precise circumstance be pitched on, which may afford a just +foundation for the religious passion. A fowl on Thursday is +lawful food; on Friday abominable: Eggs in this house and in this +diocese, are permitted during Lent; a hundred paces farther, to +eat them is a damnable sin. This earth or building, yesterday was +profane; to-day, by the muttering of certain words, it has become +holy and sacred. Such reflections as these, in the mouth of a +philosopher, one may safely say, are too obvious to have any +influence; because they must always, to every man, occur at first +sight; and where they prevail not, of themselves, they are surely +obstructed by education, prejudice, and passion, not by ignorance +or mistake. + +It may appear to a careless view, or rather a too abstracted +reflection, that there enters a like superstition into all the +sentiments of justice; and that, if a man expose its object, or +what we call property, to the same scrutiny of sense and science, +he will not, by the most accurate enquiry, find any foundation +for the difference made by moral sentiment. I may lawfully +nourish myself from this tree; but the fruit of another of the +same species, ten paces off, it is criminal for me to touch. Had +I worn this apparel an hour ago, I had merited the severest +punishment; but a man, by pronouncing a few magical syllables, +has now rendered it fit for my use and service. Were this house +placed in the neighbouring territory, it had been immoral for me +to dwell in it; but being built on this side the river, it is +subject to a different municipal law, and by its becoming mine I +incur no blame or censure. The same species of reasoning it may +be thought, which so successfully exposes superstition, is also +applicable to justice; nor is it possible, in the one case more +than in the other, to point out, in the object, that precise +quality or circumstance, which is the foundation of the +sentiment. + +But there is this material difference between SUPERSTITION and +JUSTICE, that the former is frivolous, useless, and burdensome; +the latter is absolutely requisite to the well-being of mankind +and existence of society. When we abstract from this circumstance +(for it is too apparent ever to be overlooked) it must be +confessed, that all regards to right and property, seem entirely +without foundation, as much as the grossest and most vulgar +superstition. Were the interests of society nowise concerned, it +is as unintelligible why another's articulating certain sounds +implying consent, should change the nature of my actions with +regard to a particular object, as why the reciting of a liturgy +by a priest, in a certain habit and posture, should dedicate a +heap of brick and timber, and render it, thenceforth and for +ever, sacred. + + + +[Footnote: It is evident, that the will or consent alone never +transfers property, nor causes the obligation of a promise (for +the same reasoning extends to both), but the will must be +expressed by words or signs, in order to impose a tie upon any +man. The expression being once brought in as subservient to he +will, soon becomes the principal part of the promise; nor will a +man be less bound by his word, though he secretly give a +different direction to his intention, and withhold the assent of +his mind. But though the expression makes, on most occasions, the +whole of the promise, yet it does not always so; and one who +should make use of any expression, of which he knows not the +meaning, and which he uses without any sense of the consequences, +would not certainly be bound by it. Nay, though he know its +meaning, yet if he use it in jest only, and with such signs as +evidently show, that he has no serious intention of binding +himself, he would not lie under any obligation of performance; +but it is necessary, that the words be a perfect expression of +the will, without any contrary signs. Nay, even this we must not +carry so far as to imagine, that one, whom, by our quickness of +understanding, we conjecture, from certain signs, to have an +intention of deceiving us, is not bound by his expression or +verbal promise, if we accept of it; but must limit this +conclusion to those cases where the signs are of a different +nature from those of deceit. All these contradictions are easily +accounted for, if justice arise entirely from its usefulness to +society; but will never be explained on any other hypothesis. + +It is remarkable that the moral decisions of the JESUITS and +other relaxed casuists, were commonly formed in prosecution of +some such subtilties of reasoning as are here pointed out, and +proceed as much from the habit of scholastic refinement as from +any corruption of the heart, if we may follow the authority of +Mons. Bayle. See his Dictionary, article Loyola. And why has the +indignation of mankind risen so high against these casuists; but +because every one perceived, that human society could not subsist +were such practices authorized, and that morals must always be +handled with a view to public interest, more than philosophical +regularity? If the secret direction of the intention, said every +man of sense, could invalidate a contract; where is our security? +And yet a metaphysical schoolman might think, that, where an +intention was supposed to be requisite, if that intention really +had not place, no consequence ought to follow, and no obligation +be imposed. The casuistical subtilties may not be greater than +the snbtilties of lawyers, hinted at above; but as the former are +PERNICIOUS, and the latter INNOCENT and even NECESSARY, this is +the reason of the very different reception they meet with from +the world. + +It is a doctrine of the Church of Rome, that the priest, by a +secret direction of his intention, can invalidate any sacrament. +This position is derived from a strict and regular prosecution of +the obvious truth, that empty words alone, without any meaning or +intention in the speaker, can never be attended with any effect. +If the same conclusion be not admitted in reasonings concerning +civil contracts, where the affair is allowed to be of so much +less consequence than the eternal salvation of thousands, it +proceeds entirely from men's sense of the danger and +inconvenience of the doctrine in the former case: And we may +thence observe, that however positive, arrogant, and dogmatical +any superstition may appear, it never can convey any thorough +persuasion of the reality of its objects, or put them, in any +degree, on a balance with the common incidents of life, which we +learn from daily observation and experimental reasoning.] + + + +These reflections are far from weakening the obligations of +justice, or diminishing anything from the most sacred attention +to property. On the contrary, such sentiments must acquire new +force from the present reasoning. For what stronger foundation +can be desired or conceived for any duty, than to observe, that +human society, or even human nature, could not subsist without +the establishment of it; and will still arrive at greater degrees +of happiness and perfection, the more inviolable the regard is, +which is paid to that duty? + +The dilemma seems obvious: As justice evidently tends to promote +public utility and to support civil society, the sentiment of +justice is either derived from our reflecting on that tendency, +or like hunger, thirst, and other appetites, resentment, love of +life, attachment to offspring, and other passions, arises from a +simple original instinct in the human breast, which nature has +implanted for like salutary purposes. If the latter be the case, +it follows, that property, which is the object of justice, is +also distinguished by a simple original instinct, and is not +ascertained by any argument or reflection. But who is there that +ever heard of such an instinct? Or is this a subject in which new +discoveries can be made? We may as well expect to discover, in +the body, new senses, which had before escaped the observation of +all mankind. + +But farther, though it seems a very simple proposition to say, +that nature, by an instinctive sentiment, distinguishes property, +yet in reality we shall find, that there are required for that +purpose ten thousand different instincts, and these employed +about objects of the greatest intricacy and nicest discernment. +For when a definition of PROPERTY is required, that relation is +found to resolve itself into any possession acquired by +occupation, by industry, by prescription, by inheritance, by +contract, &c. Can we think that nature, by an original instinct, +instructs us in all these methods of acquisition? + +These words too, inheritance and contract, stand for ideas +infinitely complicated; and to define them exactly, a hundred +volumes of laws, and a thousand volumes of commentators, have not +been found sufficient. Does nature, whose instincts in men are +all simple, embrace such complicated and artificial objects, and +create a rational creature, without trusting anything to the +operation of his reason? + +But even though all this were admitted, it would not be +satisfactory. Positive laws can certainly transfer property. It +is by another original instinct, that we recognize the authority +of kings and senates, and mark all the boundaries of their +jurisdiction? Judges too, even though their sentence be erroneous +and illegal, must be allowed, for the sake of peace and order, to +have decisive authority, and ultimately to determine property. +Have we original innate ideas of praetors and chancellors and +juries? Who sees not, that all these institutions arise merely +from the necessities of human society? + +All birds of the same species in every age and country, built +their nests alike: In this we see the force of instinct. Men, in +different times and places, frame their houses differently: Here +we perceive the influence of reason and custom. A like inference +may be drawn from comparing the instinct of generation and the +institution of property. + +How great soever the variety of municipal laws, it must be +confessed, that their chief outlines pretty regularly concur; +because the purposes, to which they tend, are everywhere exactly +similar. In like manner, all houses have a roof and walls, +windows and chimneys; though diversified in their shape, figure, +and materials. The purposes of the latter, directed to the +conveniencies of human life, discover not more plainly their +origin from reason and reflection, than do those of the former, +which point all to a like end. + +I need not mention the variations, which all the rules of +property receive from the finer turns and connexions of the +imagination, and from the subtilties and abstractions of law- +topics and reasonings. There is no possibility of reconciling +this observation to the notion of original instincts. + +What alone will beget a doubt concerning the theory, on which I +insist, is the influence of education and acquired habits, by +which we are so accustomed to blame injustice, that we are not, +in every instance, conscious of any immediate reflection on the +pernicious consequences of it. The views the most familiar to us +are apt, for that very reason, to escape us; and what we have +very frequently performed from certain motives, we are apt +likewise to continue mechanically, without recalling, on every +occasion, the reflections, which first determined us. The +convenience, or rather necessity, which leads to justice is so +universal, and everywhere points so much to the same rules, that +the habit takes place in all societies; and it is not without +some scrutiny, that we are able to ascertain its true origin. The +matter, however, is not so obscure, but that even in common life +we have every moment recourse to the principle of public utility, +and ask, WHAT MUST BECOME OF THE WORLD, IF SUCH PRACTICES +PREVAIL? HOW COULD SOCIETY SUBSIST UNDER SUCH DISORDERS? Were the +distinction or separation of possessions entirely useless, can +any one conceive, that it ever should have obtained in society? + +Thus we seem, upon the whole, to have attained a knowledge of the +force of that principle here insisted on, and can determine what +degree of esteem or moral approbation may result from reflections +on public interest and utility. The necessity of justice to the +support of society is the sole foundation of that virtue; and +since no moral excellence is more highly esteemed, we may +conclude that this circumstance of usefulness has, in general, +the strongest energy, and most entire command over our +sentiments. It must, therefore, be the source of a considerable +part of the merit ascribed to humanity, benevolence, friendship, +public spirit, and other social virtues of that stamp; as it is +the sole source of the moral approbation paid to fidelity, +justice, veracity, integrity, and those other estimable and +useful qualities and principles. It is entirely agreeable to the +rules of philosophy, and even of common reason; where any +principle has been found to have a great force and energy in one +instance, to ascribe to it a like energy in all similar +instances. This indeed is Newton's chief rule of philosophizing +[Footnote: Principia. Lib. iii.]. + + + +SECTION IV. + +OF POLITICAL SOCIETY. + + + +Had every man sufficient SAGACITY to perceive, at all times, the +strong interest which binds him to the observance of justice and +equity, and STRENGTH OF MIND sufficient to persevere in a steady +adherence to a general and a distant interest, in opposition to +the allurements of present pleasure and advantage; there had +never, in that case, been any such thing as government or +political society, but each man, following his natural liberty, +had lived in entire peace and harmony with all others. What need +of positive law where natural justice is, of itself, a sufficient +restraint? Why create magistrates, where there never arises any +disorder or iniquity? Why abridge our native freedom, when, in +every instance, the utmost exertion of it is found innocent and +beneficial? It is evident, that, if government were totally +useless, it never could have place, and that the sole foundation +of the duty of allegiance is the ADVANTAGE, which it procures to +society, by preserving peace and order among mankind. + +When a number of political societies are erected, and maintain a +great intercourse together, a new set of rules are immediately +discovered to be USEFUL in that particular situation; and +accordingly take place under the title of Laws of Nations. Of +this kind are, the sacredness of the person of ambassadors, +abstaining from poisoned arms, quarter in war, with others of +that kind, which are plainly calculated for the ADVANTAGE of +states and kingdoms in their intercourse with each other. + +The rules of justice, such as prevail among individuals, are not +entirely suspended among political societies. All princes pretend +a regard to the rights of other princes; and some, no doubt, +without hypocrisy. Alliances and treaties are every day made +between independent states, which would only be so much waste of +parchment, if they were not found by experience to have SOME +influence and authority. But here is the difference between +kingdoms and individuals. Human nature cannot by any means +subsist, without the association of individuals; and that +association never could have place, were no regard paid to the +laws of equity and justice. Disorder, confusion, the war of all +against all, are the necessary consequences of such a licentious +conduct. But nations can subsist without intercourse. They may +even subsist, in some degree, under a general war. The observance +of justice, though useful among them, is not guarded by so strong +a necessity as among individuals; and the moral obligation holds +proportion with the USEFULNESS. All politicians will allow, and +most philosophers, that reasons of state may, in particular +emergencies, dispense with the rules of justice, and invalidate +any treaty or alliance, where the strict observance of it would +be prejudicial, in a considerable degree, to either of the +contracting parties. But nothing less than the most extreme +necessity, it is confessed, can justify individuals in a breach +of promise, or an invasion of the properties of others. + +In a confederated commonwealth, such as the Achaean republic of +old, or the Swiss Cantons and United Provinces in modern times; +as the league has here a peculiar UTILITY, the conditions of +union have a peculiar sacredness and authority, and a violation +of them would be regarded as no less, or even as more criminal, +than any private injury or injustice. + +The long and helpless infancy of man requires the combination of +parents for the subsistence of their young; and that combination +requires the virtue of chastity or fidelity to the marriage bed. +Without such a UTILITY, it will readily be owned, that such a +virtue would never have been thought of. + +[Footnote: The only solution, which Plato gives to all the +objections that might be raised against the community of women, +established in his imaginary commonwealth, is, [Greek quotation +here]. Scite enim istud et dicitur et dicetur, Id quod utile sit +honestum esse, quod autem inutile sit turpe esse. [De Rep lib v p +457 ex edit Ser]. And this maxim will admit of no doubt, where +public utility is concerned, which is Plato's meaning. And indeed +to what other purpose do all the ideas of chastity and modesty +serve? "Nisi utile est quod facimus, frustra est gloria," says +Phaedrus." [Greek quotation here]," says Plutarch, de vitioso +pudore. "Nihil eorum quae damnosa sunt, pulchrum est." The same +was the opinion of the Stoics [Greek quotation here; from Sept. +Emp lib III cap 20]. + +An infidelity of this nature is much more PERNICIOUS in WOMEN +than in MEN. Hence the laws of chastity are much stricter over +the one sex than over the other. + +These rules have all a reference to generation; and yet women +past child-bearing are no more supposed to be exempted from them +than those in the flower of their youth and beauty. GENERAL RULES +are often extended beyond the principle whence they first arise; +and this in all matters of taste and sentiment. It is a vulgar +story at Paris, that, during the rage of the Mississippi, a hump- +backed fellow went every day into the Rue de Quincempoix, where +the stock-jobbers met in great crowds, and was well paid for +allowing them to make use of his hump as a desk, in order to sign +their contracts upon it. Would the fortune, which he raised by +this expedient, make him a handsome fellow; though it be +confessed, that personal beauty arises very much from ideas of +utility? The imagination is influenced by associations of ideas; +which, though they arise at first from the judgement, are not +easily altered by every particular exception that occurs to us. +To which we may add, in the present case of chastity, that the +example of the old would be pernicious to the young; and that +women, continually foreseeing that a certain time would bring +them the liberty of indulgence, would naturally advance that +period, and think more lightly of this whole duty, so requisite +to society. + +Those who live in the same family have such frequent +opportunities of licence of this kind, that nothing could prevent +purity of manners, were marriage allowed, among the nearest +relations, or any intercourse of love between them ratified by +law and custom. Incest, therefore, being PERNICIOUS in a superior +degree, has also a superior turpitude and moral deformity annexed +to it. + +What is the reason, why, by the Athenian laws, one might marry a +half-sister by the father, but not by the mother? Plainly this: +The manners of the Athenians were so reserved, that a man was +never permitted to approach the women's apartment, even in the +same family, unless where he visited his own mother. His step- +mother and her children were as much shut up from him as the +woman of any other family, and there was as little danger of any +criminal correspondence between them. Uncles and nieces, for a +like reason, might marry at Athens; but neither these, nor half- +brothers and sisters, could contract that alliance at Rome, where +the intercourse was more open between the sexes. Public utility +is the cause of all these variations. + +To repeat, to a man's prejudice, anything that escaped him in +private conversation, or to make any such use of his private +letters, is highly blamed. The free and social intercourse of +minds must be extremely checked, where no such rules of fidelity +are established. + +Even in repeating stories, whence we can foresee no ill +consequences to result, the giving of one's author is regarded as +a piece of indiscretion, if not of immorality. These stories, in +passing from hand to hand, and receiving all the usual +variations, frequently come about to the persons concerned, and +produce animosities and quarrels among people, whose intentions +are the most innocent and inoffensive. + +To pry into secrets, to open or even read the letters of others, +to play the spy upon their words and looks and actions; what +habits more inconvenient in society? What habits, of consequence, +more blameable? + +This principle is also the foundation of most of the laws of good +manners; a kind of lesser morality, calculated for the ease of +company and conversation. Too much or too little ceremony are +both blamed, and everything, which promotes ease, without an +indecent familiarity, is useful and laudable. + +Constancy in friendships, attachments, and familiarities, is +commendable, and is requisite to support trust and good +correspondence in society. But in places of general, though +casual concourse, where the pursuit of health and pleasure brings +people promiscuously together, public conveniency has dispensed +with this maxim; and custom there promotes an unreserved +conversation for the time, by indulging the privilege of dropping +afterwards every indifferent acquaintance, without breach of +civility or good manners. + +Even in societies, which are established on principles the most +immoral, and the most destructive to the interests of the general +society, there are required certain rules, which a species of +false honour, as well as private interest, engages the members to +observe. Robbers and pirates, it has often been remarked, could +not maintain their pernicious confederacy, did they not establish +a pew distributive justice among themselves, and recall those +laws of equity, which they have violated with the rest of +mankind. + +I hate a drinking companion, says the Greek proverb, who never +forgets. The follies of the last debauch should be buried in +eternal oblivion, in order to give full scope to the follies of +the next. + +Among nations, where an immoral gallantry, if covered with a thin +veil of mystery, is, in some degree, authorized by custom, there +immediately arise a set of rules, calculated for the conveniency +of that attachment. The famous court or parliament of love in +Provence formerly decided all difficult cases of this nature. + +In societies for play, there are laws required for the conduct of +the game; and these laws are different in each game. The +foundation, I own, of such societies is frivolous; and the laws +are, in a great measure, though not altogether, capricious and +arbitrary. So far is there a material difference between them and +the rules of justice, fidelity, and loyalty. The general +societies of men are absolutely requisite for the subsistence of +the species; and the public conveniency, which regulates morals, +is inviolably established in the nature of man, and of the world, +in which he lives. The comparison, therefore, in these respects, +is very imperfect. We may only learn from it the necessity of +rules, wherever men have any intercourse with each other. + +They cannot even pass each other on the road without rules. +Waggoners, coachmen, and postilions have principles, by which +they give the way; and these are chiefly founded on mutual ease +and convenience. Sometimes also they are arbitrary, at least +dependent on a kind of capricious analogy like many of the +reasonings of lawyers. + +[Footnote: That the lighter machine yield to the heavier, and, in +machines of the same kind, that the empty yield to the loaded; +this rule is founded on convenience. That those who are going to +the capital take place of those who are coming from it; this +seems to be founded on some idea of dignity of the great city, +and of the preference of the future to the past. From like +reasons, among foot-walkers, the right-hand entitles a man to the +wall, and prevents jostling, which peaceable people find very +disagreeable and inconvenient.] + +To carry the matter farther, we may observe, that it is +impossible for men so much as to murder each other without +statutes, and maxims, and an idea of justice and honour. War has +its laws as well as peace; and even that sportive kind of war, +carried on among wrestlers, boxers, cudgel-players, gladiators, +is regulated by fixed principles. Common interest and utility +beget infallibly a standard of right and wrong among the parties +concerned. + + + +SECTION V. + +WHY UTILITY PLEASES. + + + +PART I. + + + +It seems so natural a thought to ascribe to their utility the +praise, which we bestow on the social virtues, that one would +expect to meet with this principle everywhere in moral writers, +as the chief foundation of their reasoning and enquiry. In common +life, we may observe, that the circumstance of utility is always +appealed to; nor is it supposed, that a greater eulogy can be +given to any man, than to display his usefulness to the public, +and enumerate the services, which he has performed to mankind and +society. What praise, even of an inanimate form, if the +regularity and elegance of its parts destroy not its fitness for +any useful purpose! And how satisfactory an apology for any +disproportion or seeming deformity, if we can show the necessity +of that particular construction for the use intended! A ship +appears more beautiful to an artist, or one moderately skilled in +navigation, where its prow is wide and swelling beyond its poop, +than if it were framed with a precise geometrical regularity, in +contradiction to all the laws of mechanics. A building, whose +doors and windows were exact squares, would hurt the eye by that +very proportion; as ill adapted to the figure of a human +creature, for whose service the fabric was intended. + +What wonder then, that a man, whose habits and conduct are +hurtful to society, and dangerous or pernicious to every one who +has an intercourse with him, should, on that account, be an +object of disapprobation, and communicate to every spectator the +strongest sentiment of disgust and hatred. + + + +[Footnote: We ought not to imagine, because an inanimate object +may be useful as well as a man, that therefore it ought also, +according to this system, to merit he appellation of VIRTUOUS. +The sentiments, excited by utility, are, in the two cases, very +different; and the one is mixed with affection, esteem, +approbation, &c., and not the other. In like manner, an inanimate +object may have good colour and proportions as well as a human +figure. But can we ever be in love with the former? There are a +numerous set of passions and sentiments, of which thinking +rational beings are, by the original constitution of nature, the +only proper objects: and though the very same qualities be +transferred to an insensible, inanimate being, they will not +excite the same sentiments. The beneficial qualities of herbs and +minerals are, indeed, sometimes called their VIRTUES; but this is +an effect of the caprice of language, which out not to be +regarded in reasoning. For though there be a species of +approbation attending even inanimate objects, when beneficial, +yet this sentiment is so weak, and so different from that which +is directed to beneficent magistrates or statesman; that they +ought not to be ranked under the same class or appellation. + +A very small variation of the object, even where the same +qualities are preserved, will destroy a sentiment. Thus, the same +beauty, transferred to a different sex, excites no amorous +passion, where nature is not extremely perverted.] + + + +But perhaps the difficulty of accounting for these effects of +usefulness, or its contrary, has kept philosophers from admitting +them into their systems of ethics, and has induced them rather to +employ any other principle, in explaining the origin of moral +good and evil. But it is no just reason for rejecting any +principle, confirmed by experience, that we cannot give a +satisfactory account of its origin, nor are able to resolve it +into other more general principles. And if we would employ a +little thought on the present subject, we need be at no loss to +account for the influence of utility, and to deduce it from +principles, the most known and avowed in human nature. + +From the apparent usefulness of the social virtues, it has +readily been inferred by sceptics, both ancient and modern, that +all moral distinctions arise from education, and were, at first, +invented, and afterwards encouraged, by the art of politicians, +in order to render men tractable, and subdue their natural +ferocity and selfishness, which incapacitated them for society. +This principle, indeed, of precept and education, must so far be +owned to have a powerful influence, that it may frequently +increase or diminish, beyond their natural standard, the +sentiments of approbation or dislike; and may even, in particular +instances, create, without any natural principle, a new sentiment +of this kind; as is evident in all superstitious practices and +observances: But that ALL moral affection or dislike arises from +this origin, will never surely be allowed by any judicious +enquirer. Had nature made no such distinction, founded on the +original constitution of the mind, the words, HONOURABLE and +SHAMEFUL, LOVELY and ODIOUS, NOBLE and DESPICABLE, had never had +place in any language; nor could politicians, had they invented +these terms, ever have been able to render them intelligible, or +make them convey any idea to the audience. So that nothing can be +more superficial than this paradox of the sceptics; and it were +well, if, in the abstruser studies of logic and metaphysics, we +could as easily obviate the cavils of that sect, as in the +practical and more intelligible sciences of politics and morals. + +The social virtues must, therefore, be allowed to have a natural +beauty and amiableness, which, at first, antecedent to all +precept or education, recommends them to the esteem of +uninstructed mankind, and engages their affections. And as the +public utility of these virtues is the chief circumstance, whence +they derive their merit, it follows, that the end, which they +have a tendency to promote, must be some way agreeable to us, and +take hold of some natural affection. It must please, either from +considerations of self-interest, or from more generous motives +and regards. + +It has often been asserted, that, as every man has a strong +connexion with society, and perceives the impossibility of his +solitary subsistence, he becomes, on that account, favourable to +all those habits or principles, which promote order in society, +and insure to him the quiet possession of so inestimable a +blessing, As much as we value our own happiness and welfare, as +much must we applaud the practice of justice and humanity, by +which alone the social confederacy can be maintained, and every +man reap the fruits of mutual protection and assistance. + +This deduction of morals from self-love, or a regard to private +interest, is an obvious thought, and has not arisen wholly from +the wanton sallies and sportive assaults of the sceptics. To +mention no others, Polybius, one of the gravest and most +judicious, as well as most moral writers of antiquity, has +assigned this selfish origin to all our sentiments of virtue. +[Footnote: Undutifulness to parents is disapproved of by mankind, +[Greek quotation inserted here]. Ingratitude for a like reason +(though he seems there to mix a more generous regard) [Greek +quotation inserted here] Lib. vi cap. 4. (Ed. Gronorius.) Perhaps +the historian only meant, that our sympathy and humanity was more +enlivened, by our considering the similarity of our case with +that of the person suffering; which is a just sentiment.] But +though the solid practical sense of that author, and his aversion +to all vain subtilties, render his authority on the present +subject very considerable; yet is not this an affair to be +decided by authority, and the voice of nature and experience +seems plainly to oppose the selfish theory. + +We frequently bestow praise on virtuous actions, performed in +very distant ages and remote countries; where the utmost subtilty +of imagination would not discover any appearance of self- +interest, or find any connexion of our present happiness and +security with events so widely separated from us. + +A generous, a brave, a noble deed, performed by an adversary, +commands our approbation; while in its consequences it may be +acknowledged prejudicial to our particular interest. + +Where private advantage concurs with general affection for +virtue, we readily perceive and avow the mixture of these +distinct sentiments, which have a very different feeling and +influence on the mind. We praise, perhaps, with more alacrity, +where the generous humane action contributes to our particular +interest: But the topics of praise, which we insist on, are very +wide of this circumstance. And we may attempt to bring over +others to our sentiments, without endeavouring to convince them, +that they reap any advantage from the actions which we recommend +to their approbation and applause. + +Frame the model of a praiseworthy character, consisting of all +the most amiable moral virtues: Give instances, in which these +display themselves after an eminent and extraordinary manner: You +readily engage the esteem and approbation of all your audience, +who never so much as enquire in what age and country the person +lived, who possessed these noble qualities: A circumstance, +however, of all others, the most material to self-love, or a +concern for our own individual happiness. Once on a time, a +statesman, in the shock and contest of parties, prevailed so far +as to procure, by his eloquence, the banishment of an able +adversary; whom he secretly followed, offering him money for his +support during his exile, and soothing him with topics of +consolation in his misfortunes. ALAS! cries the banished +statesman, WITH WHAT REGRET MUST I LEAVE MY FRIENDS IN THIS CITY, +WHERE EVEN ENEMIES ARE SO GENEROUS! Virtue, though in an enemy, +here pleased him: And we also give it the just tribute of praise +and approbation; nor do we retract these sentiments, when we +hear, that the action passed at Athens, about two thousand years +ago, and that the persons' names were Eschines and Demosthenes. + +WHAT IS THAT TO ME? There are few occasions, when this question +is not pertinent: And had it that universal, infallible influence +supposed, it would turn into ridicule every composition, and +almost every conversation, which contain any praise or censure of +men and manners. + +It is but a weak subterfuge, when pressed by these facts and +arguments, to say, that we transport ourselves, by the force of +imagination, into distant ages and countries, and consider the +advantage, which we should have reaped from these characters, had +we been contemporaries, and had any commerce with the persons. It +is not conceivable, how a REAL sentiment or passion can ever +arise from a known IMAGINARY interest; especially when our REAL +interest is still kept in view, and is often acknowledged to be +entirely distinct from the imaginary, and even sometimes opposite +to it. + +A man, brought to the brink of a precipice, cannot look down +without trembling; and the sentiment of IMAGINARY danger actuates +him, in opposition to the opinion and belief of REAL safety. But +the imagination is here assisted by the presence of a striking +object; and yet prevails not, except it be also aided by novelty, +and the unusual appearance of the object. Custom soon reconciles +us to heights and precipices, and wears off these false and +delusive terrors. The reverse is observable in the estimates +which we form of characters and manners; and the more we +habituate ourselves to an accurate scrutiny of morals, the more +delicate feeling do we acquire of the most minute distinctions +between vice and virtue. Such frequent occasion, indeed, have we, +in common life, to pronounce all kinds of moral determinations, +that no object of this kind can be new or unusual to us; nor +could any FALSE views or prepossessions maintain their ground +against an experience, so common and familiar. Experience being +chiefly what forms the associations of ideas, it is impossible +that any association could establish and support itself, in +direct opposition to that principle. + +Usefulness is agreeable, and engages our approbation. This is a +matter of fact, confirmed by daily observation. But, USEFUL? For +what? For somebody's interest, surely. Whose interest then? Not +our own only: For our approbation frequently extends farther. It +must, therefore, be the interest of those, who are served by the +character or action approved of; and these we may conclude, +however remote, are not totally indifferent to us. By opening up +this principle, we shall discover one great source of moral +distinctions. + + + +PART II. + + + +Self-love is a principle in human nature of such extensive +energy, and the interest of each individual is, in general, so +closely connected with that of the community, that those +philosophers were excusable, who fancied that all our concern for +the public might be resolved into a concern for our own happiness +and preservation. They saw every moment, instances of approbation +or blame, satisfaction or displeasure towards characters and +actions; they denominated the objects of these sentiments, +VIRTUES, or VICES; they observed, that the former had a tendency +to increase the happiness, and the latter the misery of mankind; +they asked, whether it were possible that we could have any +general concern for society, or any disinterested resentment of +the welfare or injury of others; they found it simpler to +consider all these sentiments as modifications of self-love; and +they discovered a pretence, at least, for this unity of +principle, in that close union of interest, which is so +observable between the public and each individual. + +But notwithstanding this frequent confusion of interests, it is +easy to attain what natural philosophers, after Lord Bacon, have +affected to call the experimentum crucis, or that experiment +which points out the right way in any doubt or ambiguity. We have +found instances, in which private interest was separate from +public; in which it was even contrary: And yet we observed the +moral sentiment to continue, notwithstanding this disjunction of +interests. And wherever these distinct interests sensibly +concurred, we always found a sensible increase of the sentiment, +and a more warm affection to virtue, and detestation of vice, or +what we properly call, GRATITUDE and REVENGE. Compelled by these +instances, we must renounce the theory, which accounts for every +moral sentiment by the principle of self-love. We must adopt a +more public affection, and allow, that the interests of society +are not, even on their own account, entirely indifferent to us. +Usefulness is only a tendency to a certain end; and it is a +contradiction in terms, that anything pleases as means to an end, +where the end itself no wise affects us. If usefulness, +therefore, be a source of moral sentiment, and if this usefulness +be not always considered with a reference to self; it follows, +that everything, which contributes to the happiness of society, +recommends itself directly to our approbation and good-will. Here +is a principle, which accounts, in great part, for the origin of +morality: And what need we seek for abstruse and remote systems, +when there occurs one so obvious and natural? + +[FOOTNOTE: It is needless to push our researches so far as to +ask, why we have humanity or a fellow-feeling with others. It is +sufficient, that this is experienced to be a principle in human +nature. We must stop somewhere in our examination of causes; and +there are, in every science, some general principles, beyond +which we cannot hope to find any principle more general. No man +is absolutely indifferent to the happiness and misery of others. +The first has a natural tendency to give pleasure; the second, +pain. This every one may find in himself. It is not probable, +that these principles can be resolved into principles more simple +and universal, whatever attempts may have been made to that +purpose. But if it were possible, it belongs not to the present +subject; and we may here safely consider these principles as +original; happy, if we can render all the consequences +sufficiently plain and perspicuous!] + +Have we any difficulty to comprehend the force of humanity and +benevolence? Or to conceive, that the very aspect of happiness, +joy, prosperity, gives pleasure; that of pain, suffering, sorrow, +communicates uneasiness? The human countenance, says Horace ['Uti +ridentibus arrident, ita flentibus adflent Humani vultus,'-- +Hor.], borrows smiles or tears from the human countenance. Reduce +a person to solitude, and he loses all enjoyment, except either +of the sensual or speculative kind; and that because the +movements of his heart are not forwarded by correspondent +movements in his fellow-creatures. The signs of sorrow and +mourning, though arbitrary, affect us with melancholy; but the +natural symptoms, tears and cries and groans, never fail to +infuse compassion and uneasiness. And if the effects of misery +touch us in so lively a manner; can we be supposed altogether +insensible or indifferent towards its causes; when a malicious or +treacherous character and behaviour are presented to us? + +We enter, I shall suppose, into a convenient, warm, well- +contrived apartment: We necessarily receive a pleasure from its +very survey; because it presents us with the pleasing ideas of +ease, satisfaction, and enjoyment. The hospitable, good-humoured, +humane landlord appears. This circumstance surely must embellish +the whole; nor can we easily forbear reflecting, with pleasure, +on the satisfaction which results to every one from his +intercourse and good-offices. + +His whole family, by the freedom, ease, confidence, and calm +enjoyment, diffused over their countenances, sufficiently express +their happiness. I have a pleasing sympathy in the prospect of so +much joy, and can never consider the source of it, without the +most agreeable emotions. + +He tells me, that an oppressive and powerful neighbour had +attempted to dispossess him of his inheritance, and had long +disturbed all his innocent and social pleasures. I feel an +immediate indignation arise in me against such violence and +injury. + +But it is no wonder, he adds, that a private wrong should proceed +from a man, who had enslaved provinces, depopulated cities, and +made the field and scaffold stream with human blood. I am struck +with horror at the prospect of so much misery, and am actuated by +the strongest antipathy against its author. + +In general, it is certain, that, wherever we go, whatever we +reflect on or converse about, everything still presents us with +the view of human happiness or misery, and excites in our breast +a sympathetic movement of pleasure or uneasiness. In our serious +occupations, in our careless amusements, this principle still +exerts its active energy. + +A man who enters the theatre, is immediately struck with the view +of so great a multitude, participating of one common amusement; +and experiences, from their very aspect, a superior sensibility +or disposition of being affected with every sentiment, which he +shares with his fellow-creatures. + +He observes the actors to be animated by the appearance of a full +audience, and raised to a degree of enthusiasm, which they cannot +command in any solitary or calm moment. + +Every movement of the theatre, by a skilful poet, is +communicated, as it were by magic, to the spectators; who weep, +tremble, resent, rejoice, and are inflamed with all the variety +of passions, which actuate the several personages of the drama. + +Where any event crosses our wishes, and interrupts the happiness +of the favourite characters, we feel a sensible anxiety and +concern. But where their sufferings proceed from the treachery, +cruelty, or tyranny of an enemy, our breasts are affected with +the liveliest resentment against the author of these calamities. +It is here esteemed contrary to the rules of art to represent +anything cool and indifferent. A distant friend, or a confident, +who has no immediate interest in the catastrophe, ought, if +possible, to be avoided by the poet; as communicating a like +indifference to the audience, and checking the progress of the +passions. + +Few species of poetry are more entertaining than PASTORAL; and +every one is sensible, that the chief source of its pleasure +arises from those images of a gentle and tender tranquillity, +which it represents in its personages, and of which it +communicates a like sentiment to the reader. Sannazarius, who +transferred the scene to the sea-shore, though he presented the +most magnificent object in nature, is confessed to have erred in +his choice. The idea of toil, labour, and danger, suffered by the +fishermen, is painful; by an unavoidable sympathy, which attends +every conception of human happiness or misery. + +When I was twenty, says a French poet, Ovid was my favourite: Now +I am forty, I declare for Horace. We enter, to be sure, more +readily into sentiments, which resemble those we feel every day: +But no passion, when well represented, can be entirely +indifferent to us; because there is none, of which every man has +not, within him, at least the seeds and first principles. It is +the business of poetry to bring every affection near to us by +lively imagery and representation, and make it look like truth +and reality: A certain proof, that, wherever that reality is +found, our minds are disposed to be strongly affected by it. + +Any recent event or piece of news, by which the fate of states, +provinces, or many individuals is affected, is extremely +interesting even to those whose welfare is not immediately +engaged. Such intelligence is propagated with celerity, heard +with avidity, and enquired into with attention and concern. The +interest of society appears, on this occasion, to be in some +degree the interest of each individual. The imagination is sure +to be affected; though the passions excited may not always be so +strong and steady as to have great influence on the conduct and +behaviour. + +The perusal of a history seems a calm entertainment; but would be +no entertainment at all, did not our hearts beat with +correspondent movements to those which are described by the +historian. + +Thucydides and Guicciardin support with difficulty our attention; +while the former describes the trivial encounters of the small +cities of Greece, and the latter the harmless wars of Pisa. The +few persons interested and the small interest fill not the +imagination, and engage not the affections. The deep distress of +the numerous Athenian army before Syracuse; the danger which so +nearly threatens Venice; these excite compassion; these move +terror and anxiety. + +The indifferent, uninteresting style of Suetonius, equally with +the masterly pencil of Tacitus, may convince us of the cruel +depravity of Nero or Tiberius: But what a difference of +sentiment! While the former coldly relates the facts; and the +latter sets before our eyes the venerable figures of a Soranus +and a Thrasea, intrepid in their fate, and only moved by the +melting sorrows of their friends and kindred. What sympathy then +touches every human heart! What indignation against the tyrant, +whose causeless fear or unprovoked malice gave rise to such +detestable barbarity! + +If we bring these subjects nearer: If we remove all suspicion of +fiction and deceit: What powerful concern is excited, and how +much superior, in many instances, to the narrow attachments of +self-love and private interest! Popular sedition, party zeal, a +devoted obedience to factious leaders; these are some of the most +visible, though less laudable effects of this social sympathy in +human nature. + +The frivolousness of the subject too, we may observe, is not able +to detach us entirely from what carries an image of human +sentiment and affection. + +When a person stutters, and pronounces with difficulty, we even +sympathize with this trivial uneasiness, and suffer for him. And +it is a rule in criticism, that every combination of syllables or +letters, which gives pain to the organs of speech in the recital, +appears also from a species of sympathy harsh and disagreeable to +the ear. Nay, when we run over a book with our eye, we are +sensible of such unharmonious composition; because we still +imagine, that a person recites it to us, and suffers from the +pronunciation of these jarring sounds. So delicate is our +sympathy! + +Easy and unconstrained postures and motions are always beautiful: +An air of health and vigour is agreeable: Clothes which warm, +without burthening the body; which cover, without imprisoning the +limbs, are well-fashioned. In every judgement of beauty, the +feelings of the person affected enter into consideration, and +communicate to the spectator similar touches of pain or pleasure. +[Footnote: 'Decentior equus cujus astricta suntilia; sed idem +velocior. Pulcher aspectu sit athleta, cujus lacertos execitatio +expressit; idem certamini paratior nunquam enim SPECIES ab +UTILITATE dividitur. Sed hoc quidem discernere modici judicii +est.'- Quintilian, Inst. lib. viii. cap. 3.] + +What wonder, then, if we can pronounce no judgement concerning +the character and conduct of men, without considering the +tendencies of their actions, and the happiness or misery which +thence arises to society? What association of ideas would ever +operate, were that principle here totally unactive. + +[Footnote: In proportion to the station which a man possesses, +according to the relations in which he is placed; we always +expect from him a greater or less degree of good, and when +disappointed, blame his inutility; and much more do we blame him, +if any ill or prejudice arise from his conduct and behaviour. +When the interests of one country interfere with those of +another, we estimate the merits of a statesman by the good or +ill, which results to his own country from his measures and +councils, without regard to the prejudice which he brings on its +enemies and rivals. His fellow-citizens are the objects, which +lie nearest the eye, while we determine his character. And as +nature has implanted in every one a superior affection to his own +country, we never expect any regard to distant nations, where a +competition arises. Not to mention, that, while every man +consults the good of his own community, we are sensible, that the +general interest of mankind is better promoted, than any loose +indeterminate views to the good of a species, whence no +beneficial action could ever result, for want of a duly limited +object, on which they could exert themselves.] + +If any man from a cold insensibility, or narrow selfishness of +temper, is unaffected with the images of human happiness or +misery, he must be equally indifferent to the images of vice and +virtue: As, on the other hand, it is always found, that a warm +concern for the interests of our species is attended with a +delicate feeling of all moral distinctions; a strong resentment +of injury done to men; a lively approbation of their welfare. In +this particular, though great superiority is observable of one +man above another; yet none are so entirely indifferent to the +interest of their fellow-creatures, as to perceive no +distinctions of moral good and evil, in consequence of the +different tendencies of actions and principles. How, indeed, can +we suppose it possible in any one, who wears a human heart, that +if there be subjected to his censure, one character or system of +conduct, which is beneficial, and another which is pernicious to +his species or community, he will not so much as give a cool +preference to the former, or ascribe to it the smallest merit or +regard? Let us suppose such a person ever so selfish; let private +interest have ingrossed ever so much his attention; yet in +instances, where that is not concerned, he must unavoidably feel +SOME propensity to the good of mankind, and make it an object of +choice, if everything else be equal. Would any man, who is +walking along, tread as willingly on another's gouty toes, whom +he has no quarrel with, as on the hard flint and pavement? There +is here surely a difference in the case. We surely take into +consideration the happiness and misery of others, in weighing the +several motives of action, and incline to the former, where no +private regards draw us to seek our own promotion or advantage by +the injury of our fellow-creatures. And if the principles of +humanity are capable, in many instances, of influencing our +actions, they must, at all times, have some authority over our +sentiments, and give us a general approbation of what is useful +to society, and blame of what is dangerous or pernicious. The +degrees of these sentiments may be the subject of controversy; +but the reality of their existence, one should think, must be +admitted in every theory or system. + +A creature, absolutely malicious and spiteful, were there any +such in nature, must be worse than indifferent to the images of +vice and virtue. All his sentiments must be inverted, and +directly opposite to those, which prevail in the human species. +Whatever contributes to the good of mankind, as it crosses the +constant bent of his wishes and desires, must produce uneasiness +and disapprobation; and on the contrary, whatever is the source +of disorder and misery in society, must, for the same reason, be +regarded with pleasure and complacency. Timon, who probably from +his affected spleen more than an inveterate malice, was +denominated the manhater, embraced Alcibiades with great +fondness. GO ON, MY BOY! cried he, ACQUIRE THE CONFIDENCE OF THE +PEOPLE: YOU WILL ONE DAY, I FORESEE, BE THE CAUSE OF GREAT +CALAMITIES TO THEM [Footnote: Plutarch fit vita Ale.]. Could we +admit the two principles of the Manicheans, it is an infallible +consequence, that their sentiments of human actions, as well as +of everything else, must be totally opposite, and that every +instance of justice and humanity, from its necessary tendency, +must please the one deity and displease the other. All mankind so +far resemble the good principle, that, where interest or revenge +or envy perverts not our disposition, we are always inclined, +from our natural philanthropy, to give the preference to the +happiness of society, and consequently to virtue above its +opposite. Absolute, unprovoked, disinterested malice has never +perhaps place in any human breast; or if it had, must there +pervert all the sentiments of morals, as well as the feelings of +humanity. If the cruelty of Nero be allowed entirely voluntary, +and not rather the effect of constant fear and resentment; it is +evident that Tigellinus, preferably to Seneca or Burrhus, must +have possessed his steady and uniform approbation. + +A statesman or patriot, who serves our own country in our own +time, has always a more passionate regard paid to him, than one +whose beneficial influence operated on distant ages or remote +nations; where the good, resulting from his generous humanity, +being less connected with us, seems more obscure, and affects us +with a less lively sympathy. We may own the merit to be equally +great, though our sentiments are not raised to an equal height, +in both cases. The judgement here corrects the inequalities of +our internal emotions and perceptions; in like manner, as it +preserves us from error, in the several variations of images, +presented to our external senses. The same object, at a double +distance, really throws on the eye a picture of but half the +bulk; yet we imagine that it appears of the same size in both +situations; because we know that on our approach to it, its image +would expand on the eye, and that the difference consists not in +the object itself, but in our position with regard to it. And, +indeed, without such a correction of appearances, both in +internal and external sentiment, men could never think or talk +steadily on any subject; while their fluctuating situations +produce a continual variation on objects, and throw them into +such different and contrary lights and positions. + + + +[Footnote: For a little reason, the tendencies of actions and +characters, not their real accidental consequences, are alone +regarded in our more determinations or general judgements; though +in our real feeling or sentiment, we cannot help paying greater +regard to one whose station, joined to virtue, renders him really +useful to society, then to one, who exerts the social virtues +only in good intentions and benevolent affections. Separating the +character from the furtone, by an easy and necessary effort of +thought, we pronounce these persons alike, and give them the +appearance: But is not able entirely to prevail our sentiment. + +Why is this peach-tree said to be better than that other; but +because it produces more or better fruit? And would not the same +praise be given it, though snails or vermin had destroyed the +peaches, before they came to full maturity? In morals too, is not +THE TREE KNOWN BY THE FRUIT? And cannot we easily distinguish +between nature and accident, in the one case as well as in the +other?] + + + +The more we converse with mankind, and the greater social +intercourse we maintain, the more shall we be familiarized to +these general preferences and distinctions, without which our +conversation and discourse could scarcely be rendered +intelligible to each other. Every man's interest is peculiar to +himself, and the aversions and desires, which result from it, +cannot be supposed to affect others in a like degree. General +language, therefore, being formed for general use, must be +moulded on some more general views, and must affix the epithets +of praise or blame, in conformity to sentiments, which arise from +the general interests of the community. And if these sentiments, +in most men, be not so strong as those, which have a reference to +private good; yet still they must make some distinction, even in +persons the most depraved and selfish; and must attach the notion +of good to a beneficent conduct, and of evil to the contrary. +Sympathy, we shall allow, is much fainter than our concern for +ourselves, and sympathy with persons remote from us much fainter +than that with persons near and contiguous; but for this very +reason it is necessary for us, in our calm judgements and +discourse concerning the characters of men, to neglect all these +differences, and render our sentiments more public and social. +Besides, that we ourselves often change our situation in this +particular, we every day meet with persons who are in a situation +different from us, and who could never converse with us were we +to remain constantly in that position and point of view, which is +peculiar to ourselves. The intercourse of sentiments, therefore, +in society and conversation, makes us form some general +unalterable standard, by which we may approve or disapprove of +characters and manners. And though the heart takes not part +entirely with those general notions, nor regulates all its love +and hatred by the universal abstract differences of vice and +virtue, without regard to self, or the persons with whom we are +more intimately connected; yet have these moral differences a +considerable influence, and being sufficient, at least for +discourse, serve all our purposes in company, in the pulpit, on +the theatre, and in the schools. + +[Footnote: It is wisely ordained by nature, that private +connexions should commonly prevail over univeral views and +considerations; otherwise our affections and actions would be +dissopated and lost, for want of a proper limited object. Thus a +small benefit done to ourselves, or our near friends, excites +more lively sentiments of love and approbation than a great +benefit done to a distant commonwealth: But still we know here, +as in all the senses, to correct these inequalities by +reflection, and retain a general standard of vice and virtue, +founded chiefly on a general usefulness.] + +Thus, in whatever light we take this subject, the merit, ascribed +to the social virtues, appears still uniform, and arises chiefly +from that regard, which the natural sentiment of benevolence +engages us to pay to the interests of mankind and society. If we +consider the principles of the human make, such as they appear to +daily experience and observation, we must, A PRIORI, conclude it +impossible for such a creature as man to be totally indifferent +to the well or ill-being of his fellow-creatures, and not +readily, of himself, to pronounce, where nothing gives him any +particular bias, that what promotes their happiness is good, what +tends to their misery is evil, without any farther regard or +consideration. Here then are the faint rudiments, at least, or +outlines, of a GENERAL distinction between actions; and in +proportion as the humanity of the person is supposed to increase, +his connexion with those who are injured or benefited, and his +lively conception of their misery or happiness; his consequent +censure or approbation acquires proportionable vigour. There is +no necessity, that a generous action, barely mentioned in an old +history or remote gazette, should communicate any strong feelings +of applause and admiration. Virtue, placed at such a distance, is +like a fixed star, which, though to the eye of reason it may +appear as luminous as the sun in his meridian, is so infinitely +removed as to affect the senses, neither with light nor heat. +Bring this virtue nearer, by our acquaintance or connexion with +the persons, or even by an eloquent recital of the case; our +hearts are immediately caught, our sympathy enlivened, and our +cool approbation converted into the warmest sentiments of +friendship and regard. These seem necessary and infallible +consequences of the general principles of human nature, as +discovered in common life and practice. + +Again; reverse these views and reasonings: Consider the matter a +posteriori; and weighing the consequences, enquire if the merit +of social virtue be not, in a great measure, derived from the +feelings of humanity, with which it affects the spectators. It +appears to be matter of fact, that the circumstance of UTILITY, +in all subjects, is a source of praise and approbation: That it +is constantly appealed to in all moral decisions concerning the +merit and demerit of actions: That it is the SOLE source of that +high regard paid to justice, fidelity, honour, allegiance, and +chastity: That it is inseparable from all the other social +virtues, humanity, generosity, charity, affability, lenity, +mercy, and moderation: And, in a word, that it is a foundation of +the chief part of morals, which has a reference to mankind and +our fellow-creatures. + +It appears also, that, in our general approbation of characters +and manners, the useful tendency of the social virtues moves us +not by any regards to self-interest, but has an influence much +more universal and extensive. It appears that a tendency to +public good, and to the promoting of peace, harmony, and order in +society, does always, by affecting the benevolent principles of +our frame, engage us on the side of the social virtues. And it +appears, as an additional confirmation, that these principles of +humanity and sympathy enter so deeply into all our sentiments, +and have so powerful an influence, as may enable them to excite +the strongest censure and applause. The present theory is the +simple result of all these inferences, each of which seems +founded on uniform experience and observation. + +Were it doubtful, whether there were any such principle in our +nature as humanity or a concern for others, yet when we see, in +numberless instances, that whatever has a tendency to promote the +interests of society, is so highly approved of, we ought thence +to learn the force of the benevolent principle; since it is +impossible for anything to please as means to an end, where the +end is totally indifferent. On the other hand, were it doubtful, +whether there were, implanted in our nature, any general +principle of moral blame and approbation, yet when we see, in +numberless instances, the influence of humanity, we ought thence +to conclude, that it is impossible, but that everything which +promotes the interest of society must communicate pleasure, and +what is pernicious give uneasiness. But when these different +reflections and observations concur in establishing the same +conclusion, must they not bestow an undisputed evidence upon it? + +It is however hoped, that the progress of this argument will +bring a farther confirmation of the present theory, by showing +the rise of other sentiments of esteem and regard from the same +or like principles. + + + +SECTION VI. + +OF QUALITIES USEFUL TO OURSELVES. + + + +PART I. + + + +IT seems evident, that where a quality or habit is subjected to +our examination, if it appear in any respect prejudicial to the +person possessed of it, or such as incapacitates him for business +and action, it is instantly blamed, and ranked among his faults +and imperfections. Indolence, negligence, want of order and +method, obstinacy, fickleness, rashness, credulity; these +qualities were never esteemed by any one indifferent to a +character; much less, extolled as accomplishments or virtues. The +prejudice, resulting from them, immediately strikes our eye, and +gives us the sentiment of pain and disapprobation. + +No quality, it is allowed, is absolutely either blameable or +praiseworthy. It is all according to its degree. A due medium, +says the Peripatetics, is the characteristic of virtue. But this +medium is chiefly determined by utility. A proper celerity, for +instance, and dispatch in business, is commendable. When +defective, no progress is ever made in the execution of any +purpose: When excessive, it engages us in precipitate and ill- +concerted measures and enterprises: By such reasonings, we fix +the proper and commendable mediocrity in all moral and prudential +disquisitions; and never lose view of the advantages, which +result from any character or habit. Now as these advantages are +enjoyed by the person possessed of the character, it can never be +SELF-LOVE which renders the prospect of them agreeable to us, the +spectators, and prompts our esteem and approbation. No force of +imagination can convert us into another person, and make us +fancy, that we, being that person, reap benefit from those +valuable qualities, which belong to him. Or if it did, no +celerity of imagination could immediately transport us back, into +ourselves, and make us love and esteem the person, as different +from us. Views and sentiments, so opposite to known truth and to +each other, could never have place, at the same time, in the same +person. All suspicion, therefore, of selfish regards, is here +totally excluded. It is a quite different principle, which +actuates our bosom, and interests us in the felicity of the +person whom we contemplate. Where his natural talents and +acquired abilities give us the prospect of elevation, +advancement, a figure in life, prosperous success, a steady +command over fortune, and the execution of great or advantageous +undertakings; we are struck with such agreeable images, and feel +a complacency and regard immediately arise towards him. The ideas +of happiness, joy, triumph, prosperity, are connected with every +circumstance of his character, and diffuse over our minds a +pleasing sentiment of sympathy and humanity. + +[Footnote: One may venture to affirm, that there is no human +nature, to whom the appearance of happiness (where envy or +revenge has no place) does not give pleasure, that of misery, +uneasiness. This seems inseparable from our make and +constitution. But they are only more generous minds, that are +thence prompted to seek zealously the good of others, and to have +a real passion for their welfare. With men of narrow and +ungenerous spirits, this sympathy goes not beyond a slight +feeling of the imagination, which serves only to excite +sentiments of complacency or ensure, and makes them apply to the +object either honorable or dishonorable appellations. A griping +miser, for instance, praises extremely INDUSTRY and FRUGALITY +even in others, and sets them, in his estimation, above all the +other virtues. He knows the good that results from them, and +feels that species of happiness with a more lively sympathy, than +any other you could represent to him; though perhaps he would not +part with a shilling to make the fortune of the industrious man, +whom he praises so highly.] + +Let us suppose a person originally framed so as to have no +manner of concern for his fellow-creatures, but to regard the +happiness and misery of all sensible beings with greater +indifference than even two contiguous shades of the same colour. +Let us suppose, if the prosperity of nations were laid on the one +hand, and their ruin on the other, and he were desired to choose; +that he would stand like the schoolman's ass, irresolute and +undetermined, between equal motives; or rather, like the same ass +between two pieces of wood or marble, without any inclination or +propensity to either side. The consequence, I believe, must be +allowed just, that such a person, being absolutely unconcerned, +either for the public good of a community or the private utility +of others, would look on every quality, however pernicious, or +however beneficial, to society, or to its possessor, with the +same indifference as on the most common and uninteresting object. + +But if, instead of this fancied monster, we suppose a MAN to form +a judgement or determination in the case, there is to him a plain +foundation of preference, where everything else is equal; and +however cool his choice may be, if his heart be selfish, or if +the persons interested be remote from him; there must still be a +choice or distinction between what is useful, and what is +pernicious. Now this distinction is the same in all its parts, +with the MORAL DISTINCTION, whose foundation has been so often, +and so much in vain, enquired after. The same endowments of the +mind, in every circumstance, are agreeable to the sentiment of +morals and to that of humanity; the same temper is susceptible of +high degrees of the one sentiment and of the other; and the same +alteration in the objects, by their nearer approach or by +connexions, enlivens the one and the other. By all the rules of +philosophy, therefore, we must conclude, that these sentiments +are originally the same; since, in each particular, even the most +minute, they are governed by the same laws, and are moved by the +same objects. + +Why do philosophers infer, with the greatest certainty, that the +moon is kept in its orbit by the same force of gravity, that +makes bodies fall near the surface of the earth, but because +these effects are, upon computation, found similar and equal? And +must not this argument bring as strong conviction, in moral as in +natural disquisitions? + +To prove, by any long detail, that all the qualities, useful to +the possessor, are approved of, and the contrary censured, would +be superfluous. The least reflection on what is every day +experienced in life, will be sufficient. We shall only mention a +few instances, in order to remove, if possible, all doubt and +hesitation. + +The quality, the most necessary for the execution of any useful +enterprise, is discretion; by which we carry on a safe +intercourse with others, give due attention to our own and to +their character, weigh each circumstance of the business which we +undertake, and employ the surest and safest means for the +attainment of any end or purpose. To a Cromwell, perhaps, or a De +Retz, discretion may appear an alderman-like virtue, as Dr. Swift +calls it; and being incompatible with those vast designs, to +which their courage and ambition prompted them, it might really, +in them, be a fault or imperfection. But in the conduct of +ordinary life, no virtue is more requisite, not only to obtain +success, but to avoid the most fatal miscarriages and +disappointments. The greatest parts without it, as observed by an +elegant writer, may be fatal to their owner; as Polyphemus, +deprived of his eye, was only the more exposed, on account of his +enormous strength and stature. + +The best character, indeed, were it not rather too perfect for +human nature, is that which is not swayed by temper of any kind; +but alternately employs enterprise and caution, as each is useful +to the particular purpose intended. Such is the excellence which +St. Evremond ascribes to Mareschal Turenne, who displayed every +campaign, as he grew older, more temerity in his military +enterprises; and being now, from long experience, perfectly +acquainted with every incident in war, he advanced with greater +firmness and security, in a road so well known to him. Fabius, +says Machiavel, was cautious; Scipio enterprising: And both +succeeded, because the situation of the Roman affairs, during the +command of each, was peculiarly adapted to his genius; but both +would have failed, had these situations been reversed. He is +happy, whose circumstances suit his temper; but he is more +excellent, who can suit his temper to any circumstances. + +What need is there to display the praises of industry, and to +extol its advantages, in the acquisition of power and riches, or +in raising what we call a FORTUNE in the world? The tortoise, +according to the fable, by his perseverance, gained the race of +the hare, though possessed of much superior swiftness. A man's +time, when well husbanded, is like a cultivated field, of which a +few acres produce more of what is useful to life, than extensive +provinces, even of the richest soil, when over-run with weeds and +brambles. + +But all prospect of success in life, or even of tolerable +subsistence, must fail, where a reasonable frugality is wanting. +The heap, instead of increasing, diminishes daily, and leaves its +possessor so much more unhappy, as, not having been able to +confine his expences to a large revenue, he will still less be +able to live contentedly on a small one. The souls of men, +according to Plato [Footnote: Phaedo.], inflamed with impure +appetites, and losing the body, which alone afforded means of +satisfaction, hover about the earth, and haunt the places, where +their bodies are deposited; possessed with a longing desire to +recover the lost organs of sensation. So may we see worthless +prodigals, having consumed their fortune in wild debauches, +thrusting themselves into every plentiful table, and every party +of pleasure, hated even by the vicious, and despised even by +fools. + +The one extreme of frugality is avarice, which, as it both +deprives a man of all use of his riches, and checks hospitality +and every social enjoyment, is justly censured on a double +account. PRODIGALITY, the other extreme, is commonly more hurtful +to a man himself; and each of these extremes is blamed above the +other, according to the temper of the person who censures, and +according to his greater or less sensibility to pleasure, either +social or sensual. + +Qualities often derive their merit from complicated sources. +Honesty, fidelity, truth, are praised for their immediate +tendency to promote the interests of society; but after those +virtues are once established upon this foundation, they are also +considered as advantageous to the person himself, and as the +source of that trust and confidence, which can alone give a man +any consideration in life. One becomes contemptible, no less than +odious, when he forgets the duty, which, in this particular, he +owes to himself as well as to society. + +Perhaps, this consideration is one CHIEF source of the high +blame, which is thrown on any instance of failure among women in +point of CHASTITY. The greatest regard, which can be acquired by +that sex, is derived from their fidelity; and a woman becomes +cheap and vulgar, loses her rank, and is exposed to every insult, +who is deficient in this particular. The smallest failure is here +sufficient to blast her character. A female has so many +opportunities of secretly indulging these appetites, that nothing +can give us security but her absolute modesty and reserve; and +where a breach is once made, it can scarcely ever be fully +repaired. If a man behave with cowardice on one occasion, a +contrary conduct reinstates him in his character. But by what +action can a woman, whose behaviour has once been dissolute, be +able to assure us, that she has formed better resolutions, and +has self-command enough to carry them into execution? + +All men, it is allowed, are equally desirous of happiness; but +few are successful in the pursuit: One considerable cause is the +want of strength of mind, which might enable them to resist the +temptation of present ease or pleasure, and carry them forward in +the search of more distant profit and enjoyment. Our affections, +on a general prospect of their objects, form certain rules of +conduct, and certain measures of preference of one above another: +and these decisions, though really the result of our calm +passions and propensities, (for what else can pronounce any +object eligible or the contrary?) are yet said, by a natural +abuse of terms, to be the determinations of pure REASON and +reflection. But when some of these objects approach nearer to us, +or acquire the advantages of favourable lights and positions, +which catch the heart or imagination; our general resolutions are +frequently confounded, a small enjoyment preferred, and lasting +shame and sorrow entailed upon us. And however poets may employ +their wit and eloquence, in celebrating present pleasure, and +rejecting all distant views to fame, health, or fortune; it is +obvious, that this practice is the source of all dissoluteness +and disorder, repentance and misery. A man of a strong and +determined temper adheres tenaciously to his general resolutions, +and is neither seduced by the allurements of pleasure, nor +terrified by the menaces of pain; but keeps still in view those +distant pursuits, by which he, at once, ensures his happiness and +his honour. + +Self-satisfaction, at least in some degree, is an advantage, +which equally attends the fool and the wise man: But it is the +only one; nor is there any other circumstance in the conduct of +life, where they are upon an equal footing. Business, books, +conversation; for all of these, a fool is totally incapacitated, +and except condemned by his station to the coarsest drudgery, +remains a useless burthen upon the earth. Accordingly, it is +found, that men are extremely jealous of their character in this +particular; and many instances are seen of profligacy and +treachery, the most avowed and unreserved; none of bearing +patiently the imputation of ignorance and stupidity. Dicaearchus, +the Macedonian general, who, as Polybius tells us [Footnote: Lib. +xvi. Cap. 35.], openly erected one altar to impiety, another to +injustice, in order to bid defiance to mankind; even he, I am +well assured, would have started at the epithet of FOOL, and have +meditated revenge for so injurious an appellation. Except the +affection of parents, the strongest and most indissoluble bond in +nature, no connexion has strength sufficient to support the +disgust arising from this character. Love itself, which can +subsist under treachery, ingratitude, malice, and infidelity, is +immediately extinguished by it, when perceived and acknowledged; +nor are deformity and old age more fatal to the dominion of that +passion. So dreadful are the ideas of an utter incapacity for any +purpose or undertaking, and of continued error and misconduct in +life! + +When it is asked, whether a quick or a slow apprehension be most +valuable? Whether one, that, at first view, penetrates far into a +subject, but can perform nothing upon study; or a contrary +character, which must work out everything by dint of application? +Whether a clear head or a copious invention? Whether a profound +genius or a sure judgement? In short, what character, or peculiar +turn of understanding, is more excellent than another? It is +evident, that we can answer none of these questions, without +considering which of those qualities capacitates a man best for +the world, and carries him farthest in any undertaking. + +If refined sense and exalted sense be not so USEFUL as common +sense, their rarity, their novelty, and the nobleness of their +objects make some compensation, and render them the admiration of +mankind: As gold, though less serviceable than iron, acquires +from its scarcity a value which is much superior. + +The defects of judgement can be supplied by no art or invention; +but those of memory frequently may, both in business and in +study, by method and industry, and by diligence in committing +everything to writing; and we scarcely ever hear a short memory +given as a reason for a man's failure in any undertaking. But in +ancient times, when no man could make a figure without the talent +of speaking, and when the audience were too delicate to bear such +crude, undigested harangues as our extemporary orators offer to +public assemblies; the faculty of memory was then of the utmost +consequence, and was accordingly much more valued than at +present. Scarce any great genius is mentioned in antiquity, who +is not celebrated for this talent; and Cicero enumerates it among +the other sublime qualities of Caesar himself. [Footnote: Fruit +in Illo Ingenium, ratio, memoria, literae, cura, cogitatio, +diligentia &c. Phillip. 2.]. + +Particular customs and manners alter the usefulness of qualities: +they also alter their merit. Particular situations and accidents +have, in some degree, the same influence. He will always be more +esteemed, who possesses those talents and accomplishments, which +suit his station and profession, than he whom fortune has +misplaced in the part which she has assigned him. The private or +selfish virtues are, in this respect, more arbitrary than the +public and social. In other respects they are, perhaps, less +liable to doubt and controversy. + +In this kingdom, such continued ostentation, of late years, has +prevailed among men in ACTIVE life with regard to PUBLIC SPIRIT, +and among those in SPECULATIVE with regard to BENEVOLENCE; and so +many false pretensions to each have been, no doubt, detected, +that men of the world are apt, without any bad intention, to +discover a sullen incredulity on the head of those moral +endowments, and even sometimes absolutely to deny their existence +and reality. In like manner I find, that, of old, the perpetual +cant of the STOICS and CYNICS concerning VIRTUE, their +magnificent professions and slender performances, bred a disgust +in mankind; and Lucian, who, though licentious with regard to +pleasure, is yet in other respects a very moral writer, cannot +sometimes talk of virtue, so much boasted without betraying +symptoms of spleen and irony. But surely this peevish delicacy, +whence-ever it arises can never be carried so far as to make us +deny the existence of every species of merit, and all distinction +of manners and behaviour. Besides DISCRETION, CAUTION, +ENTERPRISE, INDUSTRY, ASSIDUITY, FRUGALITY, ECONOMY, GOOD-SENSE, +PRUDENCE, DISCERNMENT; besides these endowments, I say, whose +very names force an avowal of their merit, there are many others, +to which the most determined scepticism cannot for a moment +refuse the tribute of praise and approbation. TEMPERANCE, +SOBRIETY, PATIENCE, CONSTANCY, PERSEVERANCE, FORETHOUGHT, +CONSIDERATENESS, SECRECY, ORDER, INSINUATION, ADDRESS, PRESENCE +OF MIND, QUICKNESS OF CONCEPTION, FACILITY OF EXPRESSION, these, +and a thousand more of the same kind, no man will ever deny to be +excellencies and perfections. As their merit consists in their +tendency to serve the person, possessed of them, without any +magnificent claim to public and social desert, we are the less +jealous of their pretensions, and readily admit them into the +catalogue of laudable qualities. We are not sensible that, by +this concession, we have paved the way for all the other moral +excellencies, and cannot consistently hesitate any longer, with +regard to disinterested benevolence, patriotism, and humanity. + +It seems, indeed, certain, that first appearances are here, as +usual, extremely deceitful, and that it is more difficult, in a +speculative way, to resolve into self-love the merit which we +ascribe to the selfish virtues above mentioned, than that even of +the social virtues, justice and beneficence. For this latter +purpose, we need but say, that whatever conduct promotes the good +of the community is loved, praised, and esteemed by the +community, on account of that utility and interest, of which +every one partakes; and though this affection and regard be, in +reality, gratitude, not self-love, yet a distinction, even of +this obvious nature, may not readily be made by superficial +reasoners; and there is room, at least, to support the cavil and +dispute for a moment. But as qualities, which tend only to the +utility of their possessor, without any reference to us, or to +the community, are yet esteemed and valued; by what theory or +system can we account for this sentiment from self-love, or +deduce it from that favourite origin? There seems here a +necessity for confessing that the happiness and misery of others +are not spectacles entirely indifferent to us; but that the view +of the former, whether in its causes or effects, like sunshine or +the prospect of well-cultivated plains (to carry our pretensions +no higher), communicates a secret joy and satisfaction; the +appearance of the latter, like a lowering cloud or barren + +landscape, throws a melancholy damp over the imagination. And +this concession being once made, the difficulty is over; and a +natural unforced interpretation of the phenomena of human life +will afterwards, we may hope, prevail among all speculative +enquirers. + + + +PART II. + + + +It may not be improper, in this place, to examine the influence +of bodily endowments, and of the goods of fortune, over our +sentiments of regard and esteem, and to consider whether these +phenomena fortify or weaken the present theory. It will naturally +be expected, that the beauty of the body, as is supposed by all +ancient moralists, will be similar, in some respects, to that of +the mind; and that every kind of esteem, which is paid to a man, +will have something similar in its origin, whether it arise from +his mental endowments, or from the situation of his exterior +circumstances. + +It is evident, that one considerable source of BEAUTY in all +animals is the advantage which they reap from the particular +structure of their limbs and members, suitably to the particular +manner of life, to which they are by nature destined. The just +proportions of a horse, described by Xenophon and Virgil, are the +same that are received at this day by our modern jockeys; because +the foundation of them is the same, namely, experience of what is +detrimental or useful in the animal. + +Broad shoulders, a lank belly, firm joints, taper legs; all these +are beautiful in our species, because signs of force and vigour. +Ideas of utility and its contrary, though they do not entirely +determine what is handsome or deformed, are evidently the source +of a considerable part of approbation or dislike. + +In ancient times, bodily strength and dexterity, being of greater +USE and importance in war, was also much more esteemed and +valued, than at present. Not to insist on Homer and the poets, we +may observe, that historians scruple not to mention FORCE OF BODY +among the other accomplishments even of Epaminondas, whom they +acknowledge to be the greatest hero, statesman, and general of +all the Greeks. [Footnote: CUM ALACRIBUS, SALTU; CUMM VELOCIBUS, +CURSU; CUM VALIDIS RECTE CERTABATA. Sallust apud Veget.] A like +praise is given to Pompey, one of the greatest of the Romans. +[Footnote: Diodorus Siculus, lib. xv. It may be improper to give +the character of Epaminondas, as drawn by the historian, in order +to show the idea of perfect merit, which prevailed in those ages. +In other illustrious men, say he, you will observe, that each +possessed some one shining quality, which was the foundation of +his fame: In Epaminondas all the VIRTUES are found united; force +of body. eloquence of expression, vigour of mind, contempt of +riches, gentleness of disposition, and what is chiefly to be +regarded, courage and conduct of war.] This instance is similar +to what we observed above with regard to memory. + +What derision and contempt, with both sexes, attend IMPOTENCE; +while the unhappy object is regarded as one deprived of so +capital a pleasure in life, and at the same time, as disabled +from communicating it to others. BARRENNESS in women, being also +a species of INUTILITY, is a reproach, but not in the same +degree: of which the reason is very obvious, according to the +present theory. + +There is no rule in painting or statuary more indispensible than +that of balancing the figures, and placing them with the greatest +exactness on their proper centre of gravity. A figure, which is +not justly balanced, is ugly; because it conveys the disagreeable +ideas of fall, harm, and pain. + + + +[Footenote: All men are equally liable to pain and disease and +sickness; and may again recover health and ease. These +circumstances, as they make no distinction between one man and +another, are no source of pride or humility, regard or contempt. +But comparing our own species to superior ones, it is a very +mortifying consideration, that we should all be so liable to +diseases and infirmities; and divines accordingly employ this +topic, in order to depress self-conceit and vanity. They would +have more success, if the common bent of our thoughts were not +perpetually turned to compare ourselves with others. + +The infirmities of old age are mortifying; because a comparison +with the young may take place. The king's evil is industriously +concealed, because it affects others, and is often transmitted to +posterity. The case is nearly the same with such diseases as +convey any nauseous or frightful images; the epilepsy, for +instance, ulcers, sores, scabs, &c.] + + + +A disposition or turn of mind, which qualifies a man to rise in +the world and advance his fortune, is entitled to esteem and +regard, as has already been explained. It may, therefore, +naturally be supposed, that the actual possession of riches and +authority will have a considerable influence over these +sentiments. + +Let us examine any hypothesis by which we can account for the +regard paid to the rich and powerful; we shall find none +satisfactory, but that which derives it from the enjoyment +communicated to the spectator by the images of prosperity, +happiness, ease, plenty, authority, and the gratification of +every appetite. Self-love, for instance, which some affect so +much to consider as the source of every sentiment, is plainly +insufficient for this purpose. Where no good-will or friendship +appears, it is difficult to conceive on what we can found our +hope of advantage from the riches of others; though we naturally +respect the rich, even before they discover any such favourable +disposition towards us. + +We are affected with the same sentiments, when we lie so much out +of the sphere of their activity, that they cannot even be +supposed to possess the power of serving us. A prisoner of war, +in all civilized nations, is treated with a regard suited to his +condition; and riches, it is evident, go far towards fixing the +condition of any person. If birth and quality enter for a share, +this still affords us an argument to our present purpose. For +what is it we call a man of birth, but one who is descended from +a long succession of rich and powerful ancestors, and who +acquires our esteem by his connexion with persons whom we esteem? +His ancestors, therefore, though dead, are respected, in some +measure, on account of their riches; and consequently, without +any kind of expectation. + +But not to go so far as prisoners of war or the dead, to find +instances of this disinterested regard for riches; we may only +observe, with a little attention, those phenomena which occur in +common life and conversation. A man, who is himself, we shall +suppose, of a competent fortune, and of no profession, being +introduced to a company of strangers, naturally treats them with +different degrees of respect, as he is informed of their +different fortunes and conditions; though it is impossible that +he can so suddenly propose, and perhaps he would not accept of, +any pecuniary advantage from them. A traveller is always admitted +into company, and meets with civility, in proportion as his train +and equipage speak him a man of great or moderate fortune. In +short, the different ranks of men are, in a great measure, +regulated by riches; and that with regard to superiors as well as +inferiors, strangers as well as acquaintance. + +What remains, therefore, but to conclude, that, as riches are +desired for ourselves only as the means of gratifying our +appetites, either at present or in some imaginary future period, +they beget esteem in others merely from their having that +influence. This indeed is their very nature or offence: they have +a direct reference to the commodities, conveniences, and +pleasures of life. The bill of a banker, who is broke, or gold in +a desert island, would otherwise be full as valuable. When we +approach a man who is, as we say, at his ease, we are presented +with the pleasing ideas of plenty, satisfaction, cleanliness, +warmth; a cheerful house, elegant furniture, ready service, and +whatever is desirable in meat, drink, or apparel. On the +contrary, when a poor man appears, the disagreeable images of +want, penury, hard labour, dirty furniture, coarse or ragged +clothes, nauseous meat and distasteful liquor, immediately strike +our fancy. What else do we mean by saying that one is rich, the +other poor? And as regard or contempt is the natural consequence +of those different situations in life, it is easily seen what +additional light and evidence this throws on our preceding +theory, with regard to all moral distinctions. + +[Footnote: There is something extraordinary, and seemingly +unaccountable in the operation of our passions, when we consider +the fortune and situation of others. Very often another's +advancement and prosperity produces envy, which has a strong +mixture of hatred, and arises chiefly from the comparison of +ourselves with the person. At the very same time, or at least in +very short intervals, we may feel the passion of respect, which +is a species of affection or good-will, with a mixture of +humility. On the other hand, the misfortunes of our fellows often +cause pity, which has in it a strong mixture of good-will. This +sentiment of pity is nearly allied to contempt, which is a +species of dislike, with a mixture of pride. I only point out +these phenomena, as a subject of speculation to such as are +curious with regard to moral enquiries. It is sufficient for the +present purpose to observe in general, that power and riches +commonly cause respect, poverty and meanness contempt, though +particular views and incidents may sometimes raise the passions +of envy and of pity.] + +A man who has cured himself of all ridiculous pre-possessions, +and is fully, sincerely, and steadily convinced, from experience +as well as philosophy, that the difference of fortune makes less +difference in happiness than is vulgarly imagined; such a one +does not measure out degrees of esteem according to the rent- +rolls of his acquaintance. He may, indeed, externally pay a +superior deference to the great lord above the vassal; because +riches are the most convenient, being the most fixed and +determinate, source of distinction. But his internal sentiments +are more regulated by the personal characters of men, than by the +accidental and capricious favours of fortune. + +In most countries of Europe, family, that is, hereditary riches, +marked with titles and symbols from the sovereign, is the chief +source of distinction. In England, more regard is paid to present +opulence and plenty. Each practice has its advantages and +disadvantages. Where birth is respected, unactive, spiritless +minds remain in haughty indolence, and dream of nothing but +pedigrees and genealogies: the generous and ambitious seek honour +and authority, and reputation and favour. Where riches are the +chief idol, corruption, venality, rapine prevail: arts, +manufactures, commerce, agriculture flourish. The former +prejudice, being favourable to military virtue, is more suited to +monarchies. The latter, being the chief spur to industry, agrees +better with a republican government. And we accordingly find that +each of these forms of government, by varying the utility of +those customs, has commonly a proportionable effect on the +sentiments of mankind. + + + +SECTION VII. + +OF QUALITIES IMMEDIATELY AGREEABLE TO OURSELVES. + + + +Whoever has passed an evening with serious melancholy people, and +has observed how suddenly the conversation was animated, and what +sprightliness diffused itself over the countenance, discourse, +and behaviour of every one, on the accession of a good-humoured, +lively companion; such a one will easily allow that cheerfulness +carries great merit with it, and naturally conciliates the good- +will of mankind. No quality, indeed, more readily communicates +itself to all around; because no one has a greater propensity to +display itself, in jovial talk and pleasant entertainment. The +flame spreads through the whole circle; and the most sullen and +morose are often caught by it. That the melancholy hate the +merry, even though Horace says it, I have some difficulty to +allow; because I have always observed that, where the jollity is +moderate and decent, serious people are so much the more +delighted, as it dissipates the gloom with which they are +commonly oppressed, and gives them an unusual enjoyment. + +From this influence of cheerfulness, both to communicate itself +and to engage approbation, we may perceive that there is another +set of mental qualities, which, without any utility or any +tendency to farther good, either of the community or of the +possessor, diffuse a satisfaction on the beholders, and procure +friendship and regard. Their immediate sensation, to the person +possessed of them, is agreeable. Others enter into the same +humour, and catch the sentiment, by a contagion or natural +sympathy; and as we cannot forbear loving whatever pleases, a +kindly emotion arises towards the person who communicates so much +satisfaction. He is a more animating spectacle; his presence +diffuses over us more serene complacency and enjoyment; our +imagination, entering into his feelings and disposition, is +affected in a more agreeable manner than if a melancholy, +dejected, sullen, anxious temper were presented to us. Hence the +affection and probation which attend the former: the aversion and +disgust with which we regard the latter. + +[Footnote: There is no man, who, on particular occasions, is not +affected with all the disagreeable passions, fear, anger, +dejection, grief, melancholy, anxiety, &c. But these, so far as +they are natural, and universal, make no difference between one +man and another, and can never be the object of blame. It is only +when the disposition gives a PROPENSITY to any of these +disagreeable passions, that they disfigure the character, and by +giving uneasiness, convey the sentiment of disapprobation to the +spectator.] + +Few men would envy the character which Caesar gives of Cassius: + + He loves no play, + As thou do'st, Anthony: he hears no music: + Seldom he smiles; and smiles in such a sort, + As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit + That could be mov'd to smile at any thing. + +Not only such men, as Caesar adds, are commonly DANGEROUS, but +also, having little enjoyment within themselves, they can never +become agreeable to others, or contribute to social +entertainment. In all polite nations and ages, a relish for +pleasure, if accompanied with temperance and decency, is esteemed +a considerable merit, even in the greatest men; and becomes still +more requisite in those of inferior rank and character. It is an +agreeable representation, which a French writer gives of the +situation of his own mind in this particular, VIRTUE I LOVE, says +he, WITHOUT AUSTERITY: PLEASURE WITHOUT EFFEMINACY: AND LIFE, +WITHOUT FEARING ITS END. [Footnote: 'J'aime la vertu, sans +rudesse; J'aime le plaisir, sans molesse; J'aime la vie, et n'en +crains point la fin.'-ST. EVREMONT.] + +Who is not struck with any signal instance of greatness of mind +or dignity of character; with elevation of sentiment, disdain of +slavery, and with that noble pride and spirit, which arises from +conscious virtue? The sublime, says Longinus, is often nothing +but the echo or image of magnanimity; and where this quality +appears in any one, even though a syllable be not uttered, it +excites our applause and admiration; as may be observed of the +famous silence of Ajax in the Odyssey, which expresses more noble +disdain and resolute indignation than any language can convey +[Footnote: Cap. 9.]. + +WERE I Alexander, said Parmenio, I WOULD ACCEPT OF THESE OFFERS +MADE BY DARIUS. SO WOULD I TOO, replied Alexander, WERE I +PARMENIO. This saying is admirable, says Longinus, from a like +principle. [Footnote: Idem.] + +GO! cries the same hero to his soldiers, when they refused to +follow him to the Indies, GO TELL YOUR COUNTRYMEN, THAT YOU LEFT +Alexander COMPLETING THE CONQUESTOF THE WORLD. 'Alexander,' said +the Prince of Conde, who always admired this passage, 'abandoned +by his soldiers, among barbarians, not yet fully subdued, felt in +himself such a dignity and right of empire, that he could not +believe it possible that any one would refuse to obey him. +Whether in Europe or in Asia, among Greeks or Persians, all was +indifferent to him: wherever he found men, he fancied he should +find subjects.' + +The confident of Medea in the tragedy recommends caution and +submission; and enumerating all the distresses of that +unfortunate heroine, asks her, what she has to support her +against her numerous and implacable enemies. MYSELF, replies she; +MYSELF I SAY, AND IT IS ENOUGH. Boileau justly recommends this +passage as an instance of true sublime [Footnote: Reflexion 10 +sur Longin.]. + +When Phocion, the modest, the gentle Phocion, was led to +execution, he turned to one of his fellow-sufferers, who was +lamenting his own hard fate, IS IT NOT GLORY ENOUGH FOR YOU, says +he, THAT YOU DIE WITH PHOCION? [Footnote: Plutarch in Phoc.] + +Place in opposition the picture which Tacitus draws of Vitellius, +fallen from empire, prolonging his ignominy from a wretched love +of life, delivered over to the merciless rabble; tossed, +buffeted, and kicked about; constrained, by their holding a +poinard under his chin, to raise his head, and expose himself to +every contumely. What abject infamy! What low humilation! Yet +even here, says the historian, he discovered some symptoms of a +mind not wholly degenerate. To a tribune, who insulted him, he +replied, I AM STILL YOUR EMPEROR. + +[Footnote: Tacit. hist. lib. iii. The author entering upon the +narration, says, LANIATA VESTE, FOEDUM SPECACULUM DUCEBATUR, +MULTIS INCREPANTIBUS, NULLO INLACRIMANTE: deformatitas exitus +misericordiam abstulerat. To enter thoroughly into this method of +thinking, we must make allowance for the ancient maxims, that no +one ought to prolong his life after it became dishonourable; but, +as he had always a right to dispose of it, it then became a duty +to part with it.] + +We never excuse the absolute want of spirit and dignity of +character, or a proper sense of what is due to one's self, in +society and the common intercourse of life. This vice constitutes +what we properly call MEANNESS; when a man can submit to the +basest slavery, in order to gain his ends; fawn upon those who +abuse him; and degrade himself by intimacies and familiarities +with undeserving inferiors. A certain degree of generous pride or +self-value is so requisite, that the absence of it in the mind +displeases, after the same manner as the want of a nose, eye, or +any of the most material feature of the face or member of the +body. + +[Footnote: The absence of virtue may often be a vice; and that of +the highest kind; as in the instance of ingratitude, as well as +meanness. Where we expect a beauty, the disappointment gives an +uneasy sensation, and produces a real deformity. An abjectness of +character, likewise, is disgustful and contemptible in another +view. Where a man has no sense of value in himself, we are not +likely to have any higher esteem of him. And if the same person, +who crouches to his superiors, is insolent to his inferiors (as +often happens), this contrariety of behaviour, instead of +correcting the former vice, aggravates it extremely by the +addition of a vice still more odious. See Sect. VIII.] + +The utility of courage, both to the public and to the person +possessed of it, is an obvious foundation of merit. But to any +one who duly considers of the matter, it will appear that this +quality has a peculiar lustre, which it derives wholly from +itself, and from that noble elevation inseparable from it. Its +figure, drawn by painters and by poets, displays, in each +feature, a sublimity and daring confidence; which catches the +eye, engages the affections, and diffuses, by sympathy, a like +sublimity of sentiment over every spectator. + +Under what shining colours does Demosthenes [Footnote: De +Corona.] represent Philip; where the orator apologizes for his +own administration, and justifies that pertinacious love of +liberty, with which he had inspired the Athenians. 'I beheld +Philip,' says he, 'he with whom was your contest, resolutely, +while in pursuit of empire and dominion, exposing himself to +every wound; his eye gored, his neck wrested, his arm, his thigh +pierced, what ever part of his body fortune should seize on, that +cheerfully relinquishing; provided that, with what remained, he +might live in honour and renown. And shall it be said that he, +born in Pella, a place heretofore mean and ignoble, should be +inspired with so high an ambition and thirst of fame: while you, +Athenians, &c.' These praises excite the most lively admiration; +but the views presented by the orator, carry us not, we see, +beyond the hero himself, nor ever regard the future advantageous +consequences of his valour. + +The material temper of the Romans, inflamed by continual wars, +had raised their esteem of courage so high, that, in their +language, it was called VIRTUE, by way of excellence and of +distinction from all other moral qualities. THE Suevi, in the +opinion of Tacitus, tus, [Footnote: De moribus Germ.] DRESSED +THEIR HAIR WITH A LAUDIBLE INTENT:intent: NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF +LOVING OR BEING LOVES; THEY DORNED THEMSELVES ONLY FOR THEIR +ENEMIES, AND IN ORDER TO APPEAR MORE TERRIBLE. A sentiment of the +historian, which would sound a little oddly in other nations and +other ages. + +The Scythians, according to Herodotus, [Footnote: Lib. iv.] +after scalping their enemies, dressed the skin like leather, and +used it as a towel; and whoever had the most of those towels was +most esteemed among them. So much had martial bravery, in that +nation, as well as in many others, destroyed the sentiments of +humanity; a virtue surely much more useful and engaging. + +It is indeed observable, that, among all uncultivated nations, +who have not as yet had full experience of the advantages +attending beneficence, justice, and the social virtues, courage +is the predominant excellence; what is most celebrated by poets, +recommended by parents and instructors, and admired by the public +in general. The ethics of Homer are, in this particular, very +different from those of Fenelon, his elegant imitator; and such +as were well suited to an age, when one hero, as remarked by +Thucydides [Lib.i.], could ask another, without offence, whether +he were a robber or not. Such also very lately was the system of +ethics which prevailed in many barbarous parts of Ireland; if we +may credit Spencer, in his judicious account of the state of that +kingdom. + +[Footnote from Spencer: It is a common use, says he, amongst +their gentlemen's sons, that, as soon as they are able to use +their weapons, they strait gather to themselves three or four +stragglers or kern, with whom wandering a while up and down idly +the country, taking only meat, he at last falleth into some bad +occasion, that shall be offered; which being once made known, he +is thenceforth counted a man of worth, in whom there is courage.] + +Of the same class of virtues with courage is that undisturbed +philosophical tranquillity, superior to pain, sorrow, anxiety, +and each assault of adverse fortune. Conscious of his own virtue, +say the philosophers, the sage elevates himself above every +accident of life; and securely placed in the temple of wisdom, +looks down on inferior mortals engaged in pursuit of honours, +riches, reputation, and every frivolous enjoyment. These +pretentious, no doubt, when stretched to the utmost, are by far +too magnificent for human nature. They carry, however, a grandeur +with them, which seizes the spectator, and strikes him with +admiration. And the nearer we can approach in practice to this +sublime tranquillity and indifference (for we must distinguish it +from a stupid insensibility), the more secure enjoyment shall we +attain within ourselves, and the more greatness of mind shall we +discover to the world. The philosophical tranquillity may, +indeed, be considered only as a branch of magnanimity. + +Who admires not Socrates; his perpetual serenity and contentment, +amidst the greatest poverty and domestic vexations; his resolute +contempt of riches, and his magnanimous care of preserving +liberty, while he refused all assistance from his friends and +disciples, and avoided even the dependence of an obligation? +Epictetus had not so much as a door to his little house or hovel; +and therefore, soon lost his iron lamp, the only furniture which +he had worth taking. But resolving to disappoint all robbers for +the future, he supplied its place with an earthen lamp, of which +he very peacefully kept possession ever after. + +Among the ancients, the heroes in philosophy, as well as those in +war and patriotism, have a grandeur and force of sentiment, which +astonishes our narrow souls, and is rashly rejected as +extravagant and supernatural. They, in their turn, I allow, would +have had equal reason to consider as romantic and incredible, the +degree of humanity, clemency, order, tranquillity, and other +social virtues, to which, in the administration of government, we +have attained in modern times, had any one been then able to have +made a fair representation of them. Such is the compensation, +which nature, or rather education, has made in the distribution +of excellencies and virtues, in those different ages. + +The merit of benevolence, arising from its utility, and its +tendency to promote the good of mankind has been already +explained, and is, no doubt, the source of a CONSIDERABLE part of +that esteem, which is so universally paid to it. But it will also +be allowed, that the very softness and tenderness of the +sentiment, its engaging endearments, its fond expressions, its +delicate attentions, and all that flow of mutual confidence and +regard, which enters into a warm attachment of love and +friendship: it will be allowed, I say, that these feelings, being +delightful in themselves, are necessarily communicated to the +spectators, and melt them into the same fondness and delicacy. +The tear naturally starts in our eye on the apprehension of a +warm sentiment of this nature: our breast heaves, our heart is +agitated, and every humane tender principle of our frame is set +in motion, and gives us the purest and most satisfactory +enjoyment. + +When poets form descriptions of Elysian fields, where the blessed +inhabitants stand in no need of each other's assistance, they yet +represent them as maintaining a constant intercourse of love and +friendship, and sooth our fancy with the pleasing image of these +soft and gentle passions. The idea of tender tranquillity in a +pastoral Arcadia is agreeable from a like principle, as has been +observed above. [Footnote: Sect. v. Part 2.] + +Who would live amidst perpetual wrangling, and scolding, and +mutual reproaches? The roughness and harshness of these emotions +disturb and displease us: we suffer by contagion and sympathy; +nor can we remain indifferent spectators, even though certain +that no pernicious consequences would ever follow from such angry +passions. + +As a certain proof that the whole merit of benevolence is not +derived from its usefulness, we may observe, that in a kind way +of blame, we say, a person is TOO GOOD; when he exceeds his part +in society, and carries his attention for others beyond the +proper bounds. In like manner, we say, a man is too HIGH- +SPIRITED, TOO INTREPID, TOO INDIFFERENT ABOUT FORTUNE: +reproaches, which really, at bottom, imply more esteem than many +panegyrics. Being accustomed to rate the merit and demerit of +characters chiefly by their useful or pernicious tendencies, we +cannot forbear applying the epithet of blame, when we discover a +sentiment, which rises to a degree, that is hurtful; but it may +happen, at the same time, that its noble elevation, or its +engaging tenderness so seizes the heart, as rather to increase +our friendship and concern for the person. + +[Footnote: Cheerfulness could scarce admit of blame from its +excess, were it not that dissolute mirth, without a proper cause +or subject, is a sure symptom and characteristic of folly, and on +that account disgustful.] + +The amours and attachments of Harry the IVth of France, during +the civil wars of the league, frequently hurt his interest and +his cause; but all the young, at least, and amorous, who can +sympathize with the tender passions, will allow that this very +weakness, for they will readily call it such, chiefly endears +that hero, and interests them in his fortunes. + +The excessive bravery and resolute inflexibility of Charles the +XIIth ruined his own country, and infested all his neighbours; +but have such splendour and greatness in their appearance, as +strikes us with admiration; and they might, in some degree, be +even approved of, if they betrayed not sometimes too evident +symptoms of madness and disorder. + +The Athenians pretended to the first invention of agriculture and +of laws: and always valued themselves extremely on the benefit +thereby procured to the whole race of mankind. They also boasted, +and with reason, of their war like enterprises; particularly +against those innumerable fleets and armies of Persians, which +invaded Greece during the reigns of Darius and Xerxes. But though +there be no comparison in point of utility, between these +peaceful and military honours; yet we find, that the orators, who +have writ such elaborate panegyrics on that famous city, have +chiefly triumphed in displaying the warlike achievements. Lysias, +Thucydides, Plato, and Isocrates discover, all of them, the same +partiality; which, though condemned by calm reason and +reflection, appears so natural in the mind of man. + +It is observable, that the great charm of poetry consists in +lively pictures of the sublime passions, magnanimity, courage, +disdain of fortune; or those of the tender affections, love and +friendship; which warm the heart, and diffuse over it similar +sentiments and emotions. And though all kinds of passion, even +the most disagreeable, such as grief and anger, are observed, +when excited by poetry, to convey a satisfaction, from a +mechanism of nature, not easy to be explained: Yet those more +elevated or softer affections have a peculiar influence, and +please from more than one cause or principle. Not to mention that +they alone interest us in the fortune of the persons represented, +or communicate any esteem and affection for their character. + +And can it possibly be doubted, that this talent itself of poets, +to move the passions, this pathetic and sublime of sentiment, is +a very considerable merit; and being enhanced by its extreme +rarity, may exalt the person possessed of it, above every +character of the age in which he lives? The prudence, address, +steadiness, and benign government of Augustus, adorned with all +the splendour of his noble birth and imperial crown, render him +but an unequal competitor for fame with Virgil, who lays nothing +into the opposite scale but the divine beauties of his poetical +genius. + +The very sensibility to these beauties, or a delicacy of taste, +is itself a beauty in any character; as conveying the purest, the +most durable, and most innocent of all enjoyments. + +These are some instances of the several species of merit, that +are valued for the immediate pleasure which they communicate to +the person possessed of them. No views of utility or of future +beneficial consequences enter into this sentiment of approbation; +yet is it of a kind similar to that other sentiment, which arises +from views of a public or private utility. The same social +sympathy, we may observe, or fellow-feeling with human happiness +or misery, gives rise to both; and this analogy, in all the parts +of the present theory, may justly be regarded as a confirmation +of it. + + + +SECTION VIII. + +OF QUALITIES IMMEDIATELY AGREEABLE TO OTHERS. + + + +[Footnote: It is the nature and, indeed, the definition of +virtue, that it is A QUALITY OF THE MIND AGREEABLE TO OR APPROVED +OF BY EVERY ONE WHO CONSIDERS OR CONTEMPLATES IT. But some +qualities produce pleasure, because they are useful to society, +or useful or agreeable to the person himself; others produce it +more immediately, which is the case with the class of virtues +here considered.] + +AS the mutual shocks, in SOCIETY, and the oppositions of interest +and self-love have constrained mankind to establish the laws of +JUSTICE, in order to preserve the advantages of mutual assistance +and protection: in like manner, the eternal contrarieties, in +COMPANY, of men's pride and self-conceit, have introduced the +rules of Good Manners or Politeness, in order to facilitate the +intercourse of minds, and an undisturbed commerce and +conversation. Among well-bred people, a mutual deference is +affected; contempt of others disguised; authority concealed; +attention given to each in his turn; and an easy stream of +conversation maintained, without vehemence, without interruption, +without eagerness for victory, and without any airs of +superiority. These attentions and regards are immediately +AGREEABLE to others, abstracted from any consideration of utility +or beneficial tendencies: they conciliate affection, promote +esteem, and extremely enhance the merit of the person who +regulates his behaviour by them. + +Many of the forms of breeding are arbitrary and casual; but the +thing expressed by them is still the same. A Spaniard goes out of +his own house before his guest, to signify that he leaves him +master of all. In other countries, the landlord walks out last, +as a common mark of deference and regard. + +But, in order to render a man perfect GOOD COMPANY, he must have +Wit and Ingenuity as well as good manners. What wit is, it may +not be easy to define; but it is easy surely to determine that it +is a quality immediately AGREEABLE to others, and communicating, +on its first appearance, a lively joy and satisfaction to every +one who has any comprehension of it. The most profound +metaphysics, indeed, might be employed in explaining the various +kinds and species of wit; and many classes of it, which are now +received on the sole testimony of taste and sentiment, might, +perhaps, be resolved into more general principles. But this is +sufficient for our present purpose, that it does affect taste and +sentiment, and bestowing an immediate enjoyment, is a sure source +of approbation and affection. + +In countries where men pass most of their time in conversation, +and visits, and assemblies, these COMPANIONABLE qualities, so to +speak, are of high estimation, and form a chief part of personal +merit. In countries where men live a more domestic life, and +either are employed in business, or amuse themselves in a +narrower circle of acquaintance, the more solid qualities are +chiefly regarded. Thus, I have often observed, that, among the +French, the first questions with regard to a stranger are, IS HE +POLITE? HAS HE WIT? In our own country, the chief praise bestowed +is always that of a GOOD-NATURED, SENSIBLE FELLOW. + +In conversation, the lively spirit of dialogue is AGREEABLE, even +to those who desire not to have any share in the discourse: hence +the teller of long stories, or the pompous declaimer, is very +little approved of. But most men desire likewise their turn in +the conversation, and regard, with a very evil eye, that +LOQUACITY which deprives them of a right they are naturally so +jealous of. + +There is a sort of harmless LIARS, frequently to be met with in +company, who deal much in the marvellous. Their usual intention +is to please and entertain; but as men are most delighted with +what they conceive to be truth, these people mistake extremely +the means of pleasing, and incur universal blame. Some +indulgence, however, to lying or fiction is given in HUMOROUS +stories; because it is there really agreeable and entertaining, +and truth is not of any importance. + +Eloquence, genius of all kinds, even good sense, and sound +reasoning, when it rises to an eminent degree, and is employed +upon subjects of any considerable dignity and nice discernment; +all these endowments seem immediately agreeable, and have a merit +distinct from their usefulness. Rarity, likewise, which so much +enhances the price of every thing, must set an additional value +on these noble talents of the human mind. + +Modesty may be understood in different senses, even abstracted +from chastity, which has been already treated of. It sometimes +means that tenderness and nicety of honour, that apprehension of +blame, that dread of intrusion or injury towards others, that +Pudor, which is the proper guardian of every kind of virtue, and +a sure preservative against vice and corruption. But its most +usual meaning is when it is opposed to IMPUDENCE and ARROGRANCE, +and expresses a diffidence of our own judgement, and a due +attention and regard for others. In young men chiefly, this +quality is a sure sign of good sense; and is also the certain +means of augmenting that endowment, by preserving their ears open +to instruction, and making them still grasp after new +attainments. But it has a further charm to every spectator; by +flattering every man's vanity, and presenting the appearance of a +docile pupil, who receives, with proper attention and respect, +every word they utter. + +Men have, in general, a much greater propensity to overvalue than +undervalue themselves; notwithstanding the opinion of Aristotle +[Footnote: Ethic. ad Nicomachum.]. This makes us more jealous of +the excess on the former side, and causes us to regard, with a +peculiar indulgence, all tendency to modesty and self-diffidence; +as esteeming the danger less of falling into any vicious extreme +of that nature. It is thus in countries where men's bodies are +apt to exceed in corpulency, personal beauty is placed in a much +greater degree of slenderness, than in countries where that is +the most usual defect. Being so often struck with instances of +one species of deformity, men think they can never keep at too +great a distance from it, and wish always to have a leaning to +the opposite side. In like manner, were the door opened to self- +praise, and were Montaigne's maxim observed, that one should say +as frankly, I HAVE SENSE, I HAVE LEARNING, I HAVE COURAGE, +BEAUTY, OR WIT, as it is sure we often think so; were this the +case, I say, every one is sensible that such a flood of +impertinence would break in upon us, as would render society +wholly intolerable. For this reason custom has established it as +a rule, in common societies, that men should not indulge +themselves in self-praise, or even speak much of themselves; and +it is only among intimate friends or people of very manly +behaviour, that one is allowed to do himself justice. Nobody +finds fault with Maurice, Prince of Orange, for his reply to one +who asked him, whom he esteemed the first general of the age, THE +MARQUIS OF SPINOLA, said he, IS THE SECOND. Though it is +observable, that the self-praise implied is here better implied, +than if it had been directly expressed, without any cover or +disguise. + +He must be a very superficial thinker, who imagines that all +instances of mutual deference are to be understood in earnest, +and that a man would be more esteemable for being ignorant of his +own merits and accomplishments. A small bias towards modesty, +even in the internal sentiment, is favourably regarded, +especially in young people; and a strong bias is required in the +outward behaviour; but this excludes not a noble pride and +spirit, which may openly display itself in its full extent, when +one lies under calumny or oppression of any kind. The generous +contumacy of Socrates, as Cicero calls it, has been highly +celebrated in all ages; and when joined to the usual modesty of +his behaviour, forms a shining character. Iphicrates, the +Athenian, being accused of betraying the interests of his +country, asked his accuser, WOULD YOU, says he, HAVE, ON A LIKE +OCCASION, BEEN GUILTY OF THAT CRIME? BY NO MEANS, replied the +other. AND CAN YOU THEN IMAGINE, cried the hero, that Iphicrates +WOULD BE GUILTY? [Footnote: Quinctil. lib. v. cap. 12.]--In +short, a generous spirit and self-value, well founded, decently +disguised, and courageously supported under distress and calumny, +is a great excellency, and seems to derive its merit from the +noble elevation of its sentiment, or its immediate agreeableness +to its possessor. In ordinary characters, we approve of a bias +towards modesty, which is a quality immediately agreeable to +others: the vicious excess of the former virtue, namely, +insolence or haughtiness, is immediately disagreeable to others; +the excess of the latter is so to the possessor. Thus are the +boundaries of these duties adjusted. + +A desire of fame, reputation, or a character with others, is so +far from being blameable, that it seems inseparable from virtue, +genius, capacity, and a generous or noble disposition. An +attention even to trivial matters, in order to please, is also +expected and demanded by society; and no one is surprised, if he +find a man in company to observe a greater elegance of dress and +more pleasant flow of conversation, than when he passes his time +at home, and with his own family. Wherein, then, consists Vanity, +which is so justly regarded as a fault or imperfection. It seems +to consist chiefly in such an intemperate display of our +advantages, honours, and accomplishments; in such an importunate +and open demand of praise and admiration, as is offensive to +others, and encroaches too far on their secret vanity and +ambition. It is besides a sure symptom of the want of true +dignity and elevation of mind, which is so great an ornament in +any character. For why that impatient desire of applause; as if +you were not justly entitled to it, and might not reasonably +expect that it would for ever at tend you? Why so anxious to +inform us of the great company which you have kept; the obliging +things which were said to you; the honours, the distinctions +which you met with; as if these were not things of course, and +what we could readily, of ourselves, have imagined, without being +told of them? + +Decency, or a proper regard to age, sex, character, and station +in the world, may be ranked among the qualities which are +immediately agreeable to others, and which, by that means, +acquire praise and approbation. An effeminate behaviour in a man, +a rough manner in a woman; these are ugly because unsuitable to +each character, and different from the qualities which we expect +in the sexes. It is as if a tragedy abounded in comic beauties, +or a comedy in tragic. The disproportions hurt the eye, and +convey a disagreeable sentiment to the spectators, the source of +blame and disapprobation. This is that INDECORUM, which is +explained so much at large by Cicero in his Offices. + +Among the other virtues, we may also give Cleanliness a place; +since it naturally renders us agreeable to others, and is no +inconsiderable source of love and affection. No one will deny, +that a negligence in this particular is a fault; and as faults +are nothing but smaller vices, and this fault can have no other +origin than the uneasy sensation which it excites in others; we +may, in this instance, seemingly so trivial, clearly discover the +origin of moral distinctions, about which the learned have +involved themselves in such mazes of perplexity and error. + +But besides all the AGREEABLE qualities, the origin of whose +beauty we can, in some degree, explain and account for, there +still remains something mysterious and inexplicable, which +conveys an immediate satisfaction to the spectator, but how, or +why, or for what reason, he cannot pretend to determine. There is +a manner, a grace, an ease, a genteelness, an I-know-not-what, +which some men possess above others, which is very different from +external beauty and comeliness, and which, however, catches our +affection almost as suddenly and powerfully. And though this +MANNER be chiefly talked of in the passion between the sexes, +where the concealed magic is easily explained, yet surely much of +it prevails in all our estimation of characters, and forms no +inconsiderable part of personal merit. This class of +accomplishments, therefore, must be trusted entirely to the +blind, but sure testimony of taste and sentiment; and must be +considered as a part of ethics, left by nature to baffle all the +pride of philosophy, and make her sensible of her narrow +boundaries and slender acquisitions. + +We approve of another, because of his wit, politeness, modesty, +decency, or any agreeable quality which he possesses; although he +be not of our acquaintance, nor has ever given us any +entertainment, by means of these accomplishments. The idea, which +we form of their effect on his acquaintance, has an agreeable +influence on our imagination, and gives us the sentiment of +approbation. This principle enters into all the judgements which +we form concerning manners and characters. + + + +SECTION IX. + +CONCLUSION. + + + +PART I. + + + +IT may justly appear surprising that any man in so late an age, +should find it requisite to prove, by elaborate reasoning, that +Personal Merit consists altogether in the possession of mental +qualities, USEFUL or AGREEABLE to the PERSON HIMSELF or to +OTHERS. It might be expected that this principle would have +occurred even to the first rude, unpractised enquirers concerning +morals, and been received from its own evidence, without any +argument or disputation. Whatever is valuable in any kind, so +naturally classes itself under the division of USEFUL or +AGREEABLE, the UTILE or the DULCE, that it is not easy to imagine +why we should ever seek further, or consider the question as a +matter of nice research or inquiry. And as every thing useful or +agreeable must possess these qualities with regard either to the +PERSON HIMSELF or to OTHERS, the complete delineation or +description of merit seems to be performed as naturally as a +shadow is cast by the sun, or an image is reflected upon water. +If the ground, on which the shadow is cast, be not broken and +uneven; nor the surface from which the image is reflected, +disturbed and confused; a just figure is immediately presented, +without any art or attention. And it seems a reasonable +presumption, that systems and hypotheses have perverted our +natural understanding, when a theory, so simple and obvious, +could so long have escaped the most elaborate examination. + +But however the case may have fared with philosophy, in common +life these principles are still implicitly maintained; nor is any +other topic of praise or blame ever recurred to, when we employ +any panegyric or satire, any applause or censure of human action +and behaviour. If we observe men, in every intercourse of +business or pleasure, in every discourse and conversation, we +shall find them nowhere, except the schools, at any loss upon +this subject. What so natural, for instance, as the following +dialogue? You are very happy, we shall suppose one to say, +addressing himself to another, that you have given your daughter +to Cleanthes. He is a man of honour and humanity. Every one, who +has any intercourse with him, is sure of FAIR and KIND treatment. +[Footnote: Qualities useful to others.] I congratulate you too, +says another, on the promising expectations of this son-in-law; +whose assiduous application to the study of the laws, whose quick +penetration and early knowledge both of men and business, +prognosticate the greatest honours and advancement. [Footnote: +Qualities useful to the person himself.] You surprise me, replies +a third, when you talk of Cleanthes as a man of business and +application. I met him lately in a circle of the gayest company, +and he was the very life and soul of our conversation: so much +wit with good manners; so much gallantry without affectation; so +much ingenious knowledge so genteelly delivered, I have never +before observed in any one. [Footnote: Qualities immediately +agreeable to others,] You would admire him still more, says a +fourth, if you knew him more familiarly. That cheerfulness, which +you might remark in him, is not a sudden flash struck out by +company: it runs through the whole tenor of his life, and +preserves a perpetual serenity on his countenance, and +tranquillity in his soul. He has met with severe trials, +misfortunes as well as dangers; and by his greatness of mind, was +still superior to all of them [Footnote: Qualities immediately +agreeable to the person himself]. The image, gentlemen, which you +have here delineated of Cleanthes, cried I, is that of +accomplished merit. Each of you has given a stroke of the pencil +to his figure; and you have unawares exceeded all the pictures +drawn by Gratian or Castiglione. A philosopher might select this +character as a model of perfect virtue. + +And as every quality which is useful or agreeable to ourselves or +others is, in common life, allowed to be a part of personal +merit; so no other will ever be received, where men judge of +things by their natural, unprejudiced reason, without the +delusive glosses of superstition and false religion. Celibacy, +fasting, penance, mortification, self-denial, humility, silence, +solitude, and the whole train of monkish virtues; for what reason +are they everywhere rejected by men of sense, but because they +serve to no manner of purpose; neither advance a man's fortune in +the world, nor render him a more valuable member of society; +neither qualify him for the entertainment of company, nor +increase his power of self-enjoyment? We observe, on the +contrary, that they cross all these desirable ends; stupify the +understanding and harden the heart, obscure the fancy and sour +the temper. We justly, therefore, transfer them to the opposite +column, and place them in the catalogue of vices; nor has any +superstition force sufficient among men of the world, to pervert +entirely these natural sentiments. A gloomy, hair-brained +enthusiast, after his death, may have a place in the calendar; +but will scarcely ever be admitted, when alive, into intimacy and +society, except by those who are as delirious and dismal as +himself. + +It seems a happiness in the present theory, that it enters not +into that vulgar dispute concerning the DEGREES of benevolence or +self-love, which prevail in human nature; a dispute which is +never likely to have any issue, both because men, who have taken +part, are not easily convinced, and because the phenomena, which +can be produced on either side, are so dispersed, so uncertain, +and subject to so many interpretations, that it is scarcely +possible accurately to compare them, or draw from them any +determinate inference or conclusion. It is sufficient for our +present purpose, if it be allowed, what surely, without the +greatest absurdity cannot be disputed, that there is some +benevolence, however small, infused into our bosom; some spark of +friendship for human kind; some particle of the dove kneaded into +our frame, along with the elements of the wolf and serpent. Let +these generous sentiments be supposed ever so weak; let them be +insufficient to move even a hand or finger of our body, they must +still direct the determinations of our mind, and where everything +else is equal, produce a cool preference of what is useful and +serviceable to mankind, above what is pernicious and dangerous. A +MORAL DISTINCTION, therefore, immediately arises; a general +sentiment of blame and approbation; a tendency, however faint, to +the objects of the one, and a proportionable aversion to those of +the other. Nor will those reasoners, who so earnestly maintain +the predominant selfishness of human kind, be any wise +scandalized at hearing of the weak sentiments of virtue implanted +in our nature. On the contrary, they are found as ready to +maintain the one tenet as the other; and their spirit of satire +(for such it appears, rather than of corruption) naturally gives +rise to both opinions; which have, indeed, a great and almost an +indissoluble connexion together. + +Avarice, ambition, vanity, and all passions vulgarly, though +improperly, comprised under the denomination of SELF-LOVE, are +here excluded from our theory concerning the origin of morals, +not because they are too weak, but because they have not a proper +direction for that purpose. The notion of morals implies some +sentiment common to all mankind, which recommends the same object +to general approbation, and makes every man, or most men, agree +in the same opinion or decision concerning it. It also implies +some sentiment, so universal and comprehensive as to extend to +all mankind, and render the actions and conduct, even of the +persons the most remote, an object of applause or censure, +according as they agree or disagree with that rule of right which +is established. These two requisite circumstances belong alone to +the sentiment of humanity here insisted on. The other passions +produce in every breast, many strong sentiments of desire and +aversion, affection and hatred; but these neither are felt so +much in common, nor are so comprehensive, as to be the foundation +of any general system and established theory of blame or +approbation. + +When a man denominates another his ENEMY, his RIVAL, his +ANTAGONIST, his ADVERSARY, he is understood to speak the language +of self-love, and to express sentiments, peculiar to himself, and +arising from his particular circumstances and situation. But when +he bestows on any man the epithets of VICIOUS or ODIOUS or +DEPRAVED, he then speaks another language, and expresses +sentiments, in which he expects all his audience are to concur +with him. He must here, therefore, depart from his private and +particular situation, and must choose a point of view, common to +him with others; he must move some universal principle of the +human frame, and touch a string to which all mankind have an +accord and symphony. If he mean, therefore, to express that this +man possesses qualities, whose tendency is pernicious to society, +he has chosen this common point of view, and has touched the +principle of humanity, in which every man, in some degree, +concurs. While the human heart is compounded of the same elements +as at present, it will never be wholly indifferent to public +good, nor entirely unaffected with the tendency of characters and +manners. And though this affection of humanity may not generally +be esteemed so strong as vanity or ambition, yet, being common to +all men, it can alone be the foundation of morals, or of any- +general system of blame or praise. One man's ambition is not +another's ambition, nor will the same event or object satisfy +both; but the humanity of one man is the humanity of every one, +and the same object touches this passion in all human creatures. + +But the sentiments, which arise from humanity, are not only the +same in all human creatures, and produce the same approbation or +censure; but they also comprehend all human creatures; nor is +there any one whose conduct or character is not, by their means, +an object to every one of censure or approbation. On the +contrary, those other passions, commonly denominated selfish, +both produce different sentiments in each individual, according +to his particular situation; and also contemplate the greater +part of mankind with the utmost indifference and unconcern. +Whoever has a high regard and esteem for me flatters my vanity; +whoever expresses contempt mortifies and displeases me; but as my +name is known but to a small part of mankind, there are few who +come within the sphere of this passion, or excite, on its +account, either my affection or disgust. But if you represent a +tyrannical, insolent, or barbarous behaviour, in any country or +in any age of the world, I soon carry my eye to the pernicious +tendency of such a conduct, and feel the sentiment of repugnance +and displeasure towards it. No character can be so remote as to +be, in this light, wholly indifferent to me. What is beneficial +to society or to the person himself must still be preferred. And +every quality or action, of every human being, must, by this +means, be ranked under some class or denomination, expressive of +general censure or applause. + +What more, therefore, can we ask to distinguish the sentiments, +dependent on humanity, from those connected with any other +passion, or to satisfy us, why the former are the origin of +morals, not the latter? Whatever conduct gains my approbation, by +touching my humanity, procures also the applause of all mankind, +by affecting the same principle in them; but what serves my +avarice or ambition pleases these passions in me alone, and +affects not the avarice and ambition of the rest of mankind. +There is no circumstance of conduct in any man, provided it have +a beneficial tendency, that is not agreeable to my humanity, +however remote the person; but every man, so far removed as +neither to cross nor serve my avarice and ambition, is regarded +as wholly indifferent by those passions. The distinction, +therefore, between these species of sentiment being so great and +evident, language must soon be moulded upon it, and must invent a +peculiar set of terms, in order to express those universal +sentiments of censure or approbation, which arise from humanity, +or from views of general usefulness and its contrary. Virtue and +Vice become then known; morals are recognized; certain general +ideas are framed of human conduct and behaviour; such measures +are expected from men in such situations. This action is +determined to be conformable to our abstract rule; that other, +contrary. And by such universal principles are the particular +sentiments of self-love frequently controlled and limited. + +[Footnote: It seems certain, both from reason and experience, +that a rude, untaught savage regulates chiefly his love and +hatred by the ideas of private utility and injury, and has but +faint conceptions of a general rule or system of behaviour. The +man who stands opposite to him in battle, he hates heartedly, not +only for the present moment, which is almost unavoidable, but for +ever after; nor is he satisfied without the most extreme +punishment and vengeance. But we, accustomed to society, and to +more enlarged reflections, consider, that this man is serving his +own country and community; that any man, in the same situation, +would do the same; that we ourselves, in like circumstances, +observe a like conduct; that; in general, human society is best +supported on such maxims: and by these suppositions and views, we +correct, in some measure, our ruder and narrower positions. And +though much of our friendship and enemity be still regulated by +private considerations of benefit and harm, we pay, at least, +this homage to general rules, which we are accustomed to respect, +that we commonly perver our adversary's conduct, by imputing +malice or injustice to him, in order to give vent to those +passions, which arise from self-love and private interest. When +the heart is full of rage, it never wants pretences of this +nature; though sometimes as frivolous, as those from which +Horace, being almost crushed by the fall of a tree, effects to +accuse of parricide the first planter of it.] + +From instances of popular tumults, seditions, factions, panics, +and of all passions, which are shared with a multitude, we may +learn the influence of society in exciting and supporting any +emotion; while the most ungovernable disorders are raised, we +find, by that means, from the slightest and most frivolous +occasions. Solon was no very cruel, though, perhaps, an unjust +legislator, who punished neuters in civil wars; and few, I +believe, would, in such cases, incur the penalty, were their +affection and discourse allowed sufficient to absolve them. No +selfishness, and scarce any philosophy, have there force +sufficient to support a total coolness and indifference; and he +must be more or less than man, who kindles not in the common +blaze. What wonder then, that moral sentiments are found of such +influence in life; though springing from principles, which may +appear, at first sight, somewhat small and delicate? But these +principles, we must remark, are social and universal; they form, +in a manner, the PARTY of humankind against vice or disorder, its +common enemy. And as the benevolent concern for others is +diffused, in a greater or less degree, over all men, and is the +same in all, it occurs more frequently in discourse, is cherished +by society and conversation, and the blame and approbation, +consequent on it, are thereby roused from that lethargy into +which they are probably lulled, in solitary and uncultivated +nature. Other passions, though perhaps originally stronger, yet +being selfish and private, are often overpowered by its force, +and yield the dominion of our breast to those social and public +principles. + +Another spring of our constitution, that brings a great addition +of force to moral sentiments, is the love of fame; which rules, +with such uncontrolled authority, in all generous minds, and is +often the grand object of all their designs and undertakings. By +our continual and earnest pursuit of a character, a name, a +reputation in the world, we bring our own deportment and conduct +frequently in review, and consider how they appear in the eyes of +those who approach and regard us. This constant habit of +surveying ourselves, as it were, in reflection, keeps alive all +the sentiments of right and wrong, and begets, in noble natures, +a certain reverence for themselves as well as others, which is +the surest guardian of every virtue. The animal conveniencies and +pleasures sink gradually in their value; while every inward +beauty and moral grace is studiously acquired, and the mind is +accomplished in every perfection, which can adorn or embellish a +rational creature. + +Here is the most perfect morality with which we are acquainted: +here is displayed the force of many sympathies. Our moral +sentiment is itself a feeling chiefly of that nature, and our +regard to a character with others seems to arise only from a care +of preserving a character with ourselves; and in order to attain +this end, we find it necessary to prop our tottering judgement on +the correspondent approbation of mankind. + +But, that we may accommodate matters, and remove if possible +every difficulty, let us allow all these reasonings to be false. +Let us allow that, when we resolve the pleasure, which arises +from views of utility, into the sentiments of humanity and +sympathy, we have embraced a wrong hypothesis. Let us confess it +necessary to find some other explication of that applause, which +is paid to objects, whether inanimate, animate, or rational, if +they have a tendency to promote the welfare and advantage of +mankind. However difficult it be to conceive that an object is +approved of on account of its tendency to a certain end, while +the end itself is totally indifferent: let us swallow this +absurdity, and consider what are the consequences. The preceding +delineation or definition of Personal Merit must still retain its +evidence and authority: it must still be allowed that every +quality of the mind, which is USEFUL or AGREEABLE to the PERSON +HIMSELF or to OTHERS, communicates a pleasure to the spectator, +engages his esteem, and is admitted under the honourable +denomination of virtue or merit. Are not justice, fidelity, +honour, veracity, allegiance, chastity, esteemed solely on +account of their tendency to promote the good of society? Is not +that tendency inseparable from humanity, benevolence, lenity, +generosity, gratitude, moderation, tenderness, friendship, and +all the other social virtues? Can it possibly be doubted that +industry, discretion, frugality, secrecy, order, perseverance, +forethought, judgement, and this whole class of virtues and +accomplishments, of which many pages would not contain the +catalogue; can it be doubted, I say, that the tendency of these +qualities to promote the interest and happiness of their +possessor, is the sole foundation of their merit? Who can dispute +that a mind, which supports a perpetual serenity and +cheerfulness, a noble dignity and undaunted spirit, a tender +affection and good-will to all around; as it has more enjoyment +within itself, is also a more animating and rejoicing spectacle, +than if dejected with melancholy, tormented with anxiety, +irritated with rage, or sunk into the most abject baseness and +degeneracy? And as to the qualities, immediately AGREEABLE to +OTHERS, they speak sufficiently for themselves; and he must be +unhappy, indeed, either in his own temper, or in his situation +and company, who has never perceived the charms of a facetious +wit or flowing affability, of a delicate modesty or decent +genteelness of address and manner. + +I am sensible, that nothing can be more unphilosophical than to +be positive or dogmatical on any subject; and that, even if +excessive scepticism could be maintained, it would not be more +destructive to all just reasoning and inquiry. I am convinced +that, where men are the most sure and arrogant, they are commonly +the most mistaken, and have there given reins to passion, without +that proper deliberation and suspense, which can alone secure +them from the grossest absurdities. Yet, I must confess, that +this enumeration puts the matter in so strong a light, that I +cannot, at PRESENT, be more assured of any truth, which I learn +from reasoning and argument, than that personal merit consists +entirely in the usefulness or agreeableness of qualities to the +person himself possessed of them, or to others, who have any +intercourse with him. But when I reflect that, though the bulk +and figure of the earth have been measured and delineated, though +the motions of the tides have been accounted for, the order and +economy of the heavenly bodies subjected to their proper laws, +and Infinite itself reduced to calculation; yet men still dispute +concerning the foundation of their moral duties. When I reflect +on this, I say, I fall back into diffidence and scepticism, and +suspect that an hypothesis, so obvious, had it been a true one, +would, long ere now, have been received by the unanimous suffrage +and consent of mankind. + + + +PART II. + + + +Having explained the moral APPROBATION attending merit or virtue, +there remains nothing but briefly to consider our interested +OBLIGATION to it, and to inquire whether every man, who has any +regard to his own happiness and welfare, will not best find his +account in the practice of every moral duty. If this can be +clearly ascertained from the foregoing theory, we shall have the +satisfaction to reflect, that we have advanced principles, which +not only, it is hoped, will stand the test of reasoning and +inquiry, but may contribute to the amendment of men's lives, and +their improvement in morality and social virtue. And though the +philosophical truth of any proposition by no means depends on its +tendency to promote the interests of society; yet a man has but a +bad grace, who delivers a theory, however true, which, he must +confess, leads to a practice dangerous and pernicious. Why rake +into those corners of nature which spread a nuisance all around? +Why dig up the pestilence from the pit in which it is buried? The +ingenuity of your researches may be admired, but your systems +will be detested; and mankind will agree, if they cannot refute +them, to sink them, at least, in eternal silence and oblivion. +Truths which are pernicious to society, if any such there be, +will yield to errors which are salutary and ADVANTAGEOUS. + +But what philosophical truths can be more advantageous to +society, than those here delivered, which represent virtue in all +her genuine and most engaging charms, and makes us approach her +with ease, familiarity, and affection? The dismal dress falls +off, with which many divines, and some philosophers, have covered +her; and nothing appears but gentleness, humanity, beneficence, +affability; nay, even at proper intervals, play, frolic, and +gaiety. She talks not of useless austerities and rigours, +suffering and self-denial. She declares that her sole purpose is +to make her votaries and all mankind, during every instant of +their existence, if possible, cheerful and happy; nor does she +ever willingly part with any pleasure but in hopes of ample +compensation in some other period of their lives. The sole +trouble which she demands, is that of just calculation, and a +steady preference of the greater happiness. And if any austere +pretenders approach her, enemies to joy and pleasure, she either +rejects them as hypocrites and deceivers; or, if she admit them +in her train, they are ranked, however, among the least favoured +of her votaries. + +And, indeed, to drop all figurative expression, what hopes can we +ever have of engaging mankind to a practice which we confess full +of austerity and rigour? Or what theory of morals can ever serve +any useful purpose, unless it can show, by a particular detail, +that all the duties which it recommends, are also the true +interest of each individual? The peculiar advantage of the +foregoing system seems to be, that it furnishes proper mediums +for that purpose. + +That the virtues which are immediately USEFUL or AGREEABLE to the +person possessed of them, are desirable in a view to self-interest, +it would surely be superfluous to prove. Moralists, indeed, may +spare themselves all the pains which they often take in +recommending these duties. To what purpose collect arguments to +evince that temperance is advantageous, and the excesses of +pleasure hurtful, when it appears that these excesses are only +denominated such, because they are hurtful; and that, if the +unlimited use of strong liquors, for instance, no more impaired +health or the faculties of mind and body than the use of air or +water, it would not be a whit more vicious or blameable? + +It seems equally superfluous to prove, that the COMPANIONABLE +virtues of good manners and wit, decency and genteelness, are +more desirable than the contrary qualities. Vanity alone, without +any other consideration, is a sufficient motive to make us wish +for the possession of these accomplishments. No man was ever +willingly deficient in this particular. All our failures here +proceed from bad education, want of capacity, or a perverse and +unpliable disposition. Would you have your company coveted, +admired, followed; rather than hated, despised, avoided? Can any +one seriously deliberate in the case? As no enjoyment is sincere, +without some reference to company and society; so no society can +be agreeable, or even tolerable, where a man feels his presence +unwelcome, and discovers all around him symptoms of disgust and +aversion. + +But why, in the greater society or confederacy of mankind, should +not the case be the same as in particular clubs and companies? +Why is it more doubtful, that the enlarged virtues of humanity, +generosity, beneficence, are desirable with a view of happiness +and self-interest, than the limited endowments of ingenuity and +politeness? Are we apprehensive lest those social affections +interfere, in a greater and more immediate degree than any other +pursuits, with private utility, and cannot be gratified, without +some important sacrifice of honour and advantage? If so, we are +but ill-instructed in the nature of the human passions, and are +more influenced by verbal distinctions than by real differences. + +Whatever contradiction may vulgarly be supposed between the +SELFISH and SOCIAL sentiments or dispositions, they are really no +more opposite than selfish and ambitious, selfish and revengeful, +selfish and vain. It is requisite that there be an original +propensity of some kind, in order to be a basis to self-love, by +giving a relish to the objects of its pursuit; and none more fit +for this purpose than benevolence or humanity. The goods of +fortune are spent in one gratification or another: the miser who +accumulates his annual income, and lends it out at interest, has +really spent it in the gratification of his avarice. And it would +be difficult to show why a man is more a loser by a generous +action, than by any other method of expense; since the utmost +which he can attain by the most elaborate selfishness, is the +indulgence of some affection. + +Now if life, without passion, must be altogether insipid and +tiresome; let a man suppose that he has full power of modelling +his own disposition, and let him deliberate what appetite or +desire he would choose for the foundation of his happiness and +enjoyment. Every affection, he would observe, when gratified by +success, gives a satisfaction proportioned to its force and +violence; but besides this advantage, common to all, the +immediate feeling of benevolence and friendship, humanity and +kindness, is sweet, smooth, tender, and agreeable, independent of +all fortune and accidents. These virtues are besides attended +with a pleasing consciousness or remembrance, and keep us in +humour with ourselves as well as others; while we + +retain the agreeable reflection of having done our part towards +mankind and society. And though all men show a jealousy of our +success in the pursuits of avarice and ambition; yet are we +almost sure of their good-will and good wishes, so long as we +persevere in the paths of virtue, and employ ourselves in the +execution of generous plans and purposes. What other passion is +there where we shall find so many advantages united; an agreeable +sentiment, a pleasing consciousness, a good reputation? But of +these truths, we may observe, men are, of themselves, pretty much +convinced; nor are they deficient in their duty to society, +because they would not wish to be generous, friendly, and humane; +but because they do not feel themselves such. + +Treating vice with the greatest candour, and making it all +possible concessions, we must acknowledge that there is not, in +any instance, the smallest pretext for giving it the preference +above virtue, with a view of self-interest; except, perhaps, in +the case of justice, where a man, taking things in a certain +light, may often seem to be a loser by his integrity. And though +it is allowed that, without a regard to property, no society +could subsist; yet according to the imperfect way in which human +affairs are conducted, a sensible knave, in particular incidents, +may think that an act of iniquity or infidelity will make a +considerable addition to his fortune, without causing any +considerable breach in the social union and confederacy. That +HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY, may be a good general rule, but is +liable to many exceptions; and he, it may perhaps be thought, +conducts himself with most wisdom, who observes the general rule, +and takes advantage of all the exceptions. I must confess that, +if a man think that this reasoning much requires an answer, it +would be a little difficult to find any which will to him appear +satisfactory and convincing. If his heart rebel not against such +pernicious maxims, if he feel no reluctance to the thoughts of +villainy or baseness, he has indeed lost a considerable motive to +virtue; and we may expect that this practice will be answerable +to his speculation. But in all ingenuous natures, the antipathy +to treachery and roguery is too strong to be counter-balanced by +any views of profit or pecuniary advantage. Inward peace of mind, +consciousness of integrity, a satisfactory review of our own +conduct; these are circumstances, very requisite to happiness, +and will be cherished and cultivated by every honest man, who +feels the importance of them. + +Such a one has, besides, the frequent satisfaction of seeing +knaves, with all their pretended cunning and abilities, betrayed +by their own maxims; and while they purpose to cheat with +moderation and secrecy, a tempting incident occurs, nature is +frail, and they give into the snare; whence they can never +extricate themselves, without a total loss of reputation, and the +forfeiture of all future trust and confidence with mankind. + +But were they ever so secret and successful, the honest man, if +he has any tincture of philosophy, or even common observation and +reflection, will discover that they themselves are, in the end, +the greatest dupes, and have sacrificed the invaluable enjoyment +of a character, with themselves at least, for the acquisition of +worthless toys and gewgaws. How little is requisite to supply the +necessities of nature? And in a view to pleasure, what comparison +between the unbought satisfaction of conversation, society, +study, even health and the common beauties of nature, but above +all the peaceful reflection on one's own conduct; what +comparison, I say, between these and the feverish, empty +amusements of luxury and expense? These natural pleasures, +indeed, are really without price; both because they are below all +price in their attainment, and above it in their enjoyment. + + + +APPENDIX I. + +CONCERNING MORAL SENTIMENT + + + +IF the foregoing hypothesis be received, it will now be easy for +us to determine the question first started, [FOOTNOTE: Sect. 1.] +concerning the general principles of morals; and though we +postponed the decision of that question, lest it should then +involve us in intricate speculations, which are unfit for moral +discourses, we may resume it at present, and examine how far +either REASON or SENTIMENT enters into all decisions of praise or +censure. + +One principal foundation of moral praise being supposed to lie in +the usefulness of any quality or action, it is evident that +REASON must enter for a considerable share in all decisions of +this kind; since nothing but that faculty can instruct us in the +tendency of qualities and actions, and point out their beneficial +consequences to society and to their possessor. In many cases +this is an affair liable to great controversy: doubts may arise; +opposite interests may occur; and a preference must be given to +one side, from very nice views, and a small overbalance of +utility. This is particularly remarkable in questions with regard +to justice; as is, indeed, natural to suppose, from that species +of utility which attends this virtue [Footnote: See App. II.]. +Were every single instance of justice, like that of benevolence, +useful to society; this would be a more simple state of the case, +and seldom liable to great controversy. But as single instances +of justice are often pernicious in their first and immediate +tendency, and as the advantage to society results only from the +observance of the general rule, and from the concurrence and +combination of several persons in the same equitable conduct; the +case here becomes more intricate and involved. The various +circumstances of society; the various consequences of any +practice; the various interests which may be proposed; these, on +many occasions, are doubtful, and subject to great discussion and +inquiry. The object of municipal laws is to fix all the questions +with regard to justice: the debates of civilians; the reflections +of politicians; the precedents of history and public records, are +all directed to the same purpose. And a very accurate REASON or +JUDGEMENT is often requisite, to give the true determination, +amidst such intricate doubts arising from obscure or opposite +utilities. + +But though reason, when fully assisted and improved, be +sufficient to instruct us in the pernicious or useful tendency of +qualities and actions; it is not alone sufficient to produce any +moral blame or approbation. Utility is only a tendency to a +certain end; and were the end totally indifferent to us, we +should feel the same indifference towards the means. It is +requisite a SENTIMENT should here display itself, in order to +give a preference to the useful above the pernicious tendencies. +This SENTIMENT can be no other than a feeling for the happiness +of mankind, and a resentment of their misery; since these are the +different ends which virtue and vice have a tendency to promote. +Here therefore REASON instructs us in the several tendencies of +actions, and HUMANITY makes a distinction in favour of those +which are useful and beneficial. + +This partition between the faculties of understanding and +sentiment, in all moral decisions, seems clear from the preceding +hypothesis. But I shall suppose that hypothesis false: it will +then be requisite to look out for some other theory that may be +satisfactory; and I dare venture to affirm that none such will +ever be found, so long as we suppose reason to be the sole source +of morals. To prove this, it will be proper t o weigh the five +following considerations. + +I. It is easy for a false hypothesis to maintain some appearance +of truth, while it keeps wholly in generals, makes use of +undefined terms, and employs comparisons, instead of instances. +This is particularly remarkable in that philosophy, which +ascribes the discernment of all moral distinctions to reason +alone, without the concurrence of sentiment. It is impossible +that, in any particular instance, this hypothesis can so much as +be rendered intelligible, whatever specious figure it may make in +general declamations and discourses. Examine the crime of +INGRATITUDE, for instance; which has place, wherever we observe +good-will, expressed and known, together with good-offices +performed, on the one side, and a return of ill-will or +indifference, with ill-offices or neglect on the other: anatomize +all these circumstances, and examine, by your reason alone, in +what consists the demerit or blame. You never will come to any +issue or conclusion. + +Reason judges either of MATTER OF FACT or of RELATIONS. Enquire +then, first, where is that matter of fact which we here call +crime; point it out; determine the time of its existence; +describe its essence or nature; explain the sense or faculty to +which it discovers itself. It resides in the mind of the person +who is ungrateful. He must, therefore, feel it, and be conscious +of it. But nothing is there, except the passion of ill-will or +absolute indifference. You cannot say that these, of themselves, +always, and in all circumstances, are crimes. No, they are only +crimes when directed towards persons who have before expressed +and displayed good-will towards us. Consequently, we may infer, +that the crime of ingratitude is not any particular individual +FACT; but arises from a complication of circumstances, which, +being presented to the spectator, excites the SENTIMENT of blame, +by the particular structure and fabric of his mind. + +This representation, you say, is false. Crime, indeed, consists +not in a particular FACT, of whose reality we are assured by +reason; but it consists in certain MORAL RELATIONS, discovered by +reason, in the same manner as we discover by reason the truths of +geometry or algebra. But what are the relations, I ask, of which +you here talk? In the case stated above, I see first good-will +and good-offices in one person; then ill-will and ill-offices in +the other. Between these, there is a relation of CONTARIETY. Does +the crime consist in that relation? But suppose a person bore me +ill-will or did me ill-offices; and I, in return, were +indifferent towards him, or did him good offices. Here is the +same relation of CONTRARIETY; and yet my conduct is often highly +laudable. Twist and turn this matter as much as you will, you can +never rest the morality on relation; but must have recourse to +the decisions of sentiment. + +When it is affirmed that two and three are equal to the half of +ten, this relation of equality I understand perfectly. I +conceive, that if ten be divided into two parts, of which one has +as many units as the other; and if any of these parts be compared +to two added to three, it will contain as many units as that +compound number. But when you draw thence a comparison to moral +relations, I own that I am altogether at a loss to understand +you. A moral action, a crime, such as ingratitude, is a +complicated object. Does the morality consist in the relation of +its parts to each other? How? After what manner? Specify the +relation: be more particular and explicit in your propositions, +and you will easily see their falsehood. + +No, say you, the morality consists in the relation of actions to +the rule of right; and they are denominated good or ill, +according as they agree or disagree with it. What then is this +rule of right? In what does it consist? How is it determined? By +reason, you say, which examines the moral relations of actions. +So that moral relations are determined by the comparison of +action to a rule. And that rule is determined by considering the +moral relations of objects. Is not this fine reasoning? + +All this is metaphysics, you cry. That is enough; there needs +nothing more to give a strong presumption of falsehood. Yes, +reply I, here are metaphysics surely; but they are all on your +side, who advance an abstruse hypothesis, which can never be made +intelligible, nor quadrate with any particular instance or +illustration. The hypothesis which we embrace is plain. It +maintains that morality is determined by sentiment. It defines +virtue to be WHATEVER MENTAL ACTION OR QUALITY GIVES TO A +SPECTATOR THE PLEASING SENTIMENT OF APPROBATION; and vice the +contrary. We then proceed to examine a plain matter of fact, to +wit, what actions have this influence. We consider all the +circumstances in which these actions agree, and thence endeavour +to extract some general observations with regard to these +sentiments. If you call this metaphysics, and find anything +abstruse here, you need only conclude that your turn of mind is +not suited to the moral sciences. + +II. When a man, at any time, deliberates concerning his own +conduct (as, whether he had better, in a particular emergence, +assist a brother or a benefactor), he must consider these +separate relations, with all the circumstances and situations of +the persons, in order to determine the superior duty and +obligation; and in order to determine the proportion of lines in +any triangle, it is necessary to examine the nature of that +figure, and the relation which its several parts bear to each +other. But notwithstanding this appearing similarity in the two +cases, there is, at bottom, an extreme difference between them. A +speculative reasoner concerning triangles or circles considers +the several known and given relations of the parts of these +figures; and thence infers some unknown relation, which is +dependent on the former. But in moral deliberations we must be +acquainted beforehand with all the objects, and all their +relations to each other; and from a comparison of the whole, fix +our choice or approbation. No new fact to be ascertained; no new +relation to be discovered. All the circumstances of the case are +supposed to be laid before us, ere we can fix any sentence of +blame or approbation. If any material circumstance be yet unknown +or doubtful, we must first employ our inquiry or intellectual +faculties to assure us of it; and must suspend for a time all +moral decision or sentiment. While we are ignorant whether a man +were aggressor or not, how can we determine whether the person +who killed him be criminal or innocent? But after every +circumstance, every relation is known, the understanding has no +further room to operate, nor any object on which it could employ +itself. The approbation or blame which then ensues, cannot be the +work of the judgement, but of the heart; and is not a speculative +proposition or affirmation, but an active feeling or sentiment. +In the disquisitions of the understanding, from known +circumstances and relations, we infer some new and unknown. In +moral decisions, all the circumstances and relations must be +previously known; and the mind, from the contemplation of the +whole, feels some new impression of affection or disgust, esteem +or contempt, approbation or blame. + +Hence the great difference between a mistake of FACT and one of +RIGHT; and hence the reason why the one is commonly criminal and +not the other. When Oedipus killed Laius, he was ignorant of the +relation, and from circumstances, innocent and involuntary, +formed erroneous opinions concerning the action which he +committed. But when Nero killed Agrippina, all the relations +between himself and the person, and all the circumstances of the +fact, were previously known to him; but the motive of revenge, or +fear, or interest, prevailed in his savage heart over the +sentiments of duty and humanity. And when we express that +detestation against him to which he himself, in a little time, +became insensible, it is not that we see any relations, of which +he was ignorant; but that, for the rectitude of our disposition, +we feel sentiments against which he was hardened from flattery +and a long perseverance in the most enormous crimes. + +In these sentiments then, not in a discovery of relations of any +kind, do all moral determinations consist. Before we can pretend +to form any decision of this kind, everything must be known and +ascertained on the side of the object or action. Nothing remains +but to feel, on our part, some sentiment of blame or approbation; +whence we pronounce the action criminal or virtuous. + +III. This doctrine will become still more evident, if we compare +moral beauty with natural, to which in many particulars it bears +so near a resemblance. It is on the proportion, relation, and +position of parts, that all natural beauty depends; but it would +be absurd thence to infer, that the perception of beauty, like +that of truth in geometrical problems, consists wholly in the +perception of relations, and was performed entirely by the +understanding or intellectual faculties. In all the sciences, our +mind from the known relations investigates the unknown. But in +all decisions of taste or external beauty, all the relations are +beforehand obvious to the eye; and we thence proceed to feel a +sentiment of complacency or disgust, according to the nature of +the object, and disposition of our organs. + +Euclid has fully explained all the qualities of the circle; but +has not in any proposition said a word of its beauty. The reason +is evident. The beauty is not a quality of the circle. It lies +not in any part of the line, whose parts are equally distant from +a common centre. It is only the effect which that figure produces +upon the mind, whose peculiar fabric of structure renders it +susceptible of such sentiments. In vain would you look for it in +the circle, or seek it, either by your senses or by mathematical +reasoning, in all the properties of that figure. + +Attend to Palladio and Perrault, while they explain all the parts +and proportions of a pillar. They talk of the cornice, and +frieze, and base, and entablature, and shaft, and architrave; and +give the description and position of each of these members. But +should you ask the description and position of its beauty, they +would readily reply, that the beauty is not in any of the parts +or members of a pillar, but results from the whole, when that +complicated figure is presented to an intelligent mind, +susceptible to those finer sensations. Till such a spectator +appear, there is nothing but a figure of such particular +dimensions and proportions: from his sentiments alone arise its +elegance and beauty. + +Again; attend to Cicero, while he paints the crimes of a Verres +or a Catiline. You must acknowledge that the moral turpitude +results, in the same manner, from the contemplation of the whole, +when presented to a being whose organs have such a particular +structure and formation. The orator may paint rage, insolence, +barbarity on the one side; meekness, suffering, sorrow, innocence +on the other. But if you feel no indignation or compassion arise +in you from this complication of circumstances, you would in vain +ask him, in what consists the crime or villainy, which he so +vehemently exclaims against? At what time, or on what subject it +first began to exist? And what has a few months afterwards become +of it, when every disposition and thought of all the actors is +totally altered or annihilated? No satisfactory answer can be +given to any of these questions, upon the abstract hypothesis of +morals; and we must at last acknowledge, that the crime or +immorality is no particular fact or relation, which can be the +object of the understanding, but arises entirely from the +sentiment of disapprobation, which, by the structure of human +nature, we unavoidably feel on the apprehension of barbarity or +treachery. + +IV. Inanimate objects may bear to each other all the same +relations which we observe in moral agents; though the former can +never be the object of love or hatred, nor are consequently +susceptible of merit or iniquity. A young tree, which over-tops +and destroys its parent, stands in all the same relations with +Nero, when he murdered Agrippina; and if morality consisted +merely in relations, would no doubt be equally criminal. + +V. It appears evident that--the ultimate ends of human actions +can never, in any case, be accounted for by reason, but recommend +themselves entirely to the sentiments and affections of mankind, +without any dependance on the intellectual faculties. Ask a man +WHY HE USES EXERCISE; he will answer, BECAUSE HE DESIRES TO KEEP +HIS HEALTH. If you then enquire, WHY HE DESIRES HEALTH, he will +readily reply, BECAUSE SICKNESS IS PAINFUL. If you push your +enquiries farther, and desire a reason WHY HE HATES PAIN, it is +impossible he can ever give any. This is an ultimate end, and is +never referred to any other object. + +Perhaps to your second question, WHY HE DESIRES HEALTH, he may +also reply, that IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE EXERCISE OF HIS CALLING. +If you ask, WHY HE IS ANXIOUS ON THAT HEAD, he will answer, +BECAUSE HE DESIRES TO GET MONEY. If you demand WHY? IT IS THE +INSTRUMENT OF PLEASURE, says he. And beyond this it is an +absurdity to ask for a reason. It is impossible there can be a +progress + +IN INFINITUM; and that one thing can always be a reason why +another is desired. Something must be desirable on its own +account, and because of its immediate accord or agreement with +human sentiment and affection. + +Now as virtue is an end, and is desirable on its own account, +without fee and reward, merely for the immediate satisfaction +which it conveys; it is requisite that there should be some +sentiment which it touches, some internal taste or feeling, or +whatever you may please to call it, which distinguishes moral +good and evil, and which embraces the one and rejects the other. + +Thus the distinct boundaries and offices of REASON and of TASTE +are easily ascertained. The former conveys the knowledge of truth +and falsehood: the latter gives the sentiment of beauty and +deformity, vice and virtue. The one discovers objects as they +really stand in nature, without addition and diminution: the +other has a productive faculty, and gilding or staining all +natural objects with the colours, borrowed from internal +sentiment, raises in a manner a new creation. Reason being cool +and disengaged, is no motive to action, and directs only the +impulse received from appetite or inclination, by showing us the +means of attaining happiness or avoiding misery: Taste, as it +gives pleasure or pain, and thereby constitutes happiness or +misery, becomes a motive to action, and is the first spring or +impulse to desire and volition. From circumstances and relations, +known or supposed, the former leads us to the discovery of the +concealed and unknown: after all circumstances and relations are +laid before us, the latter makes us feel from the whole a new +sentiment of blame or approbation. The standard of the one, being +founded on the nature of things, is eternal and inflexible, even +by the will of the Supreme Being: the standard of the other +arising from the eternal frame and constitution of animals, is +ultimately derived from that Supreme Will, which bestowed on each +being its peculiar nature, and arranged the several classes and +orders of existence. + + + +APPENDIX II. + +OF SELF-LOVE. + + + +THERE is a principle, supposed to prevail among many, which is +utterly incompatible with all virtue or moral sentiment; and as +it can proceed from nothing but the most depraved disposition, so +in its turn it tends still further to encourage that depravity. +This principle is, that all BENEVOLENCE is mere hypocrisy, +friendship a cheat, public spirit a farce, fidelity a snare to +procure trust and confidence; and that while all of us, at +bottom, pursue only our private interest, we wear these fair +disguises, in order to put others off their guard, and expose +them the more to our wiles and machinations. What heart one must +be possessed of who possesses such principles, and who feels no +internal sentiment that belies so pernicious a theory, it is easy +to imagine: and also what degree of affection and benevolence he +can bear to a species whom he represents under such odious +colours, and supposes so little susceptible of gratitude or any +return of affection. Or if we should not ascribe these principles +wholly to a corrupted heart, we must at least account for them +from the most careless and precipitate examination. Superficial +reasoners, indeed, observing many false pretences among mankind, +and feeling, perhaps, no very strong restraint in their own +disposition, might draw a general and a hasty conclusion that all +is equally corrupted, and that men, different from all other +animals, and indeed from all other species of existence, admit of +no degrees of good or bad, but are, in every instance, the same +creatures under different disguises and appearances. + +There is another principle, somewhat resembling the former; which +has been much insisted on by philosophers, and has been the +foundation of many a system; that, whatever affection one may +feel, or imagine he feels for others, no passion is, or can be +disinterested; that the most generous friendship, however +sincere, is a modification of self-love; and that, even unknown +to ourselves, we seek only our own gratification, while we appear +the most deeply engaged in schemes for the liberty and happiness +of mankind. By a turn of imagination, by a refinement of +reflection, by an enthusiasm of passion, we seem to take part in +the interests of others, and imagine ourselves divested of all +selfish considerations: but, at bottom, the most generous patriot +and most niggardly miser, the bravest hero and most abject +coward, have, in every action, an equal regard to their own +happiness and welfare. + +Whoever concludes from the seeming tendency of this opinion, that +those, who make profession of it, cannot possibly feel the true +sentiments of benevolence, or have any regard for genuine virtue, +will often find himself, in practice, very much mistaken. Probity +and honour were no strangers to Epicurus and his sect. Atticus +and Horace seem to have enjoyed from nature, and cultivated by +reflection, as generous and friendly dispositions as any disciple +of the austerer schools. And among the modern, Hobbes and Locke, +who maintained the selfish system of morals, lived irreproachable +lives; though the former lay not under any restraint of religion +which might supply the defects of his philosophy. + +An epicurean or a Hobbist readily allows, that there is such a +thing as a friendship in the world, without hypocrisy or +disguise; though he may attempt, by a philosophical chymistry, to +resolve the elements of this passion, if I may so speak, into +those of another, and explain every affection to be self-love, +twisted and moulded, by a particular turn of imagination, into a +variety of appearances. But as the same turn of imagination +prevails not in every man, nor gives the same direction to the +original passion; this is sufficient even according to the +selfish system to make the widest difference in human characters, +and denominate one man virtuous and humane, another vicious and +meanly interested. I esteem the man whose self-love, by whatever +means, is so directed as to give him a concern for others, and +render him serviceable to society: as I hate or despise him, who +has no regard to any thing beyond his own gratifications and +enjoyments. In vain would you suggest that these characters, +though seemingly opposite, are at bottom the same, and that a +very inconsiderable turn of thought forms the whole difference +between them. Each character, notwithstanding these +inconsiderable differences, appears to me, in practice, pretty +durable and untransmutable. And I find not in this more than in +other subjects, that the natural sentiments arising from the +general appearances of things are easily destroyed by subtile +reflections concerning the minute origin of these appearances. +Does not the lively, cheerful colour of a countenance inspire me +with complacency and pleasure; even though I learn from +philosophy that all difference of complexion arises from the most +minute differences of thickness, in the most minute parts of the +skin; by means of which a superficies is qualified to reflect one +of the original colours of light, and absorb the others? + +But though the question concerning the universal or partial +selfishness of man be not so material as is usually imagined to +morality and practice, it is certainly of consequence in the +speculative science of human nature, and is a proper object of +curiosity and enquiry. It may not, therefore, be unsuitable, in +this place, to bestow a few reflections upon it. + +[Footnote: Benevolence naturally divides into two kinds, the +GENERAL and the PARTICULAR. The first is, where we have no +friendship or connexion or esteem for the person, but feel only a +general sympathy with him or a compassion for his pains, and a +congratulation with his pleasures. The other species of +benevolence is founded on an opinion of virtue, on services done +us, or on some particular connexions. Both these sentiments must +be allowed real in human nature: but whether they will resolve +into some nice considerations of self-love, is a question more +curious than important. The former sentiment, to wit, that of +general benevolence, or humanity, or sympathy, we shall have +occasion frequently to treat of in the course of this inquiry; +and I assume it as real, from general experience, without any +other proof.] + +The most obvious objection to the selfish hypothesis is, that, as +it is contrary to common feeling and our most unprejudiced +notions, there is required the highest stretch of philosophy to +establish so extraordinary a paradox. To the most careless +observer there appear to be such dispositions as benevolence and +generosity; such affections as love, friendship, compassion, +gratitude. These sentiments have their causes, effects, objects, +and operations, marked by common language and observation, and +plainly distinguished from those of the selfish passions. And as +this is the obvious appearance of things, it must be admitted, +till some hypothesis be discovered, which by penetrating deeper +into human nature, may prove the former affections to be nothing +but modifications of the latter. All attempts of this kind have +hitherto proved fruitless, and seem to have proceeded entirely +from that love of SIMPLICITY which has been the source of much +false reasoning in philosophy. I shall not here enter into any +detail on the present subject. Many able philosophers have shown +the insufficiency of these systems. And I shall take for granted +what, I believe, the smallest reflection will make evident to +every impartial enquirer. + +But the nature of the subject furnishes the strongest +presumption, that no better system will ever, for the future, be +invented, in order to account for the origin of the benevolent +from the selfish affections, and reduce all the various emotions +of the human mind to a perfect simplicity. The case is not the +same in this species of philosophy as in physics. Many an +hypothesis in nature, contrary to first appearances, has been +found, on more accurate scrutiny, solid and satisfactory. +Instances of this kind are so frequent that a judicious, as well +as witty philosopher, [Footnote: Mons. Fontenelle.] has ventured +to affirm, if there be more than one way in which any phenomenon +may be produced, that there is general presumption for its +arising from the causes which are the least obvious and familiar. +But the presumption always lies on the other side, in all +enquiries concerning the origin of our passions, and of the +internal operations of the human mind. The simplest and most +obvious cause which can there be assigned for any phenomenon, is +probably the true one. When a philosopher, in the explication of +his system, is obliged to have recourse to some very intricate +and refined reflections, and to suppose them essential to the +production of any passion or emotion, we have reason to be +extremely on our guard against so fallacious an hypothesis. The +affections are not susceptible of any impression from the +refinements of reason or imagination; and it is always found that +a vigorous exertion of the latter faculties, necessarily, from +the narrow capacity of the human mind, destroys all activity in +the former. Our predominant motive or intention is, indeed, +frequently concealed from ourselves when it is mingled and +confounded with other motives which the mind, from vanity or +self-conceit, is desirous of supposing more prevalent: but there +is no instance that a concealment of this nature has ever arisen +from the abstruseness and intricacy of the motive. A man that has +lost a friend and patron may flatter himself that all his grief +arises from generous sentiments, without any mixture of narrow or +interested considerations: but a man that grieves for a valuable +friend, who needed his patronage and protection; how can we +suppose, that his passionate tenderness arises from some +metaphysical regards to a self-interest, which has no foundation +or reality? We may as well imagine that minute wheels and +springs, like those of a watch, give motion to a loaded waggon, +as account for the origin of passion from such abstruse +reflections. + +Animals are found susceptible of kindness, both to their own +species and to ours; nor is there, in this case, the least +suspicion of disguise or artifice. Shall we account for all THEIR +sentiments, too, from refined deductions of self-interest? Or if +we admit a disinterested benevolence in the inferior species, by +what rule of analogy can we refuse it in the superior? + +Love between the sexes begets a complacency and good-will, very +distinct from the gratification of an appetite. Tenderness to +their offspring, in all sensible beings, is commonly able alone +to counter-balance the strongest motives of self-love, and has no +manner of dependance on that affection. What interest can a fond +mother have in view, who loses her health by assiduous attendance +on her sick child, and afterwards languishes and dies of grief, +when freed, by its death, from the slavery of that attendance? + +Is gratitude no affection of the human breast, or is that a word +merely, without any meaning or reality? Have we no satisfaction +in one man's company above another's, and no desire of the +welfare of our friend, even though absence or death should +prevent us from all participation in it? Or what is it commonly, +that gives us any participation in it, even while alive and +present, but our affection and regard to him? + +These and a thousand other instances are marks of a general +benevolence in human nature, where no REAL interest binds us to +the object. And how an IMAGINARY interest known and avowed for +such, can be the origin of any passion or emotion, seems +difficult to explain. No satisfactory hypothesis of this kind has +yet been discovered; nor is there the smallest probability that +the future industry of men will ever be attended with more +favourable success. + +But farther, if we consider rightly of the matter, we shall find +that the hypothesis which allows of a disinterested benevolence, +distinct from self-love, has really more SIMPLICITY in it, and is +more conformable to the analogy of nature than that which +pretends to resolve all friendship and humanity into this latter +principle. There are bodily wants or appetites acknowledged by +every one, which necessarily precede all sensual enjoyment, and +carry us directly to seek possession of the object. Thus, hunger +and thirst have eating and drinking for their end; and from the +gratification of these primary appetites arises a pleasure, which +may become the object of another species of desire or inclination +that is secondary and interested. In the same manner there are +mental passions by which we are impelled immediately to seek +particular objects, such as fame or power, or vengeance without +any regard to interest; and when these objects are attained a +pleasing enjoyment ensues, as the consequence of our indulged +affections. Nature must, by the internal frame and constitution +of the mind, give an original propensity to fame, ere we can reap +any pleasure from that acquisition, or pursue it from motives of +self-love, and desire of happiness. If I have no vanity, I take +no delight in praise: if I be void of ambition, power gives me no +enjoyment: if I be not angry, the punishment of an adversary is +totally indifferent to me. In all these cases there is a passion +which points immediately to the object, and constitutes it our +good or happiness; as there are other secondary passions which +afterwards arise, and pursue it as a part of our happiness, when +once it is constituted such by our original affections. Were +there no appetite of any kind antecedent to self-love, that +propensity could scarcely ever exert itself; because we should, +in that case, have felt few and slender pains or pleasures, and +have little misery or happiness to avoid or to pursue. + +Now where is the difficulty in conceiving, that this may likewise +be the case with benevolence and friendship, and that, from the +original frame of our temper, we may feel a desire of another's +happiness or good, which, by means of that affection, becomes our +own good, and is afterwards pursued, from the combined motives of +benevolence and self-enjoyments? Who sees not that vengeance, +from the force alone of passion, may be so eagerly pursued, as to +make us knowingly neglect every consideration of ease, interest, +or safety; and, like some vindictive animals, infuse our very +souls into the wounds we give an enemy; [Footnote: Animasque in +vulnere ponunt. VIRG, Dum alteri noceat, sui negligens says +Seneca of Anger. De Ira, I. i.] and what a malignant philosophy +must it be, that will not allow to humanity and friendship the +same privileges which are undisputably granted to the darker +passions of enmity and resentment; such a philosophy is more like +a satyr than a true delineation or description of human nature; +and may be a good foundation for paradoxical wit and raillery, +but is a very bad one for any serious argument or reasoning. + + + +APPENDIX III. + +SOME FARTHER CONSIDERATIONS WITH REGARD TO JUSTICE. + + + +The intention of this Appendix is to give some more particular +explication of the origin and nature of Justice, and to mark some +differences between it and the other virtues. + +The social virtues of humanity and benevolence exert their +influence immediately by a direct tendency or instinct, which +chiefly keeps in view the simple object, moving the affections, +and comprehends not any scheme or system, nor the consequences +resulting from the concurrence, imitation, or example of others. +A parent flies to the relief of his child; transported by that +natural sympathy which actuates him, and which affords no leisure +to reflect on the sentiments or conduct of the rest of mankind in +like circumstances. A generous man cheerfully embraces an +opportunity of serving his friend; because he then feels himself +under the dominion of the beneficent affections, nor is he +concerned whether any other person in the universe were ever +before actuated by such noble motives, or will ever afterwards +prove their influence. In all these cases the social passions +have in view a single individual object, and pursue the safety or +happiness alone of the person loved and esteemed. With this they +are satisfied: in this they acquiesce. And as the good, resulting +from their benign influence, is in itself complete and entire, it +also excites the moral sentiment of approbation, without any +reflection on farther consequences, and without any more enlarged +views of the concurrence or imitation of the other members of +society. On the contrary, were the generous friend or +disinterested patriot to stand alone in the practice of +beneficence, this would rather inhance his value in our eyes, and +join the praise of rarity and novelty to his other more exalted +merits. + +The case is not the same with the social virtues of justice and +fidelity. They are highly useful, or indeed absolutely necessary +to the well-being of mankind: but the benefit resulting from them +is not the consequence of every individual single act; but arises +from the whole scheme or system concurred in by the whole, or the +greater part of the society. General peace and order are the +attendants of justice or a general abstinence from the +possessions of others; but a particular regard to the particular +right of one individual citizen may frequently, considered in +itself, be productive of pernicious consequences. The result of +the individual acts is here, in many instances, directly opposite +to that of the whole system of actions; and the former may be +extremely hurtful, while the latter is, to the highest degree, +advantageous. Riches, inherited from a parent, are, in a bad +man's hand, the instrument of mischief. The right of succession +may, in one instance, be hurtful. Its benefit arises only from +the observance of the general rule; and it is sufficient, if +compensation be thereby made for all the ills and inconveniences +which flow from particular characters and situations. + +Cyrus, young and unexperienced, considered only the individual +case before him, and reflected on a limited fitness and +convenience, when he assigned the long coat to the tall boy, and +the short coat to the other of smaller size. His governor +instructed him better, while he pointed out more enlarged views +and consequences, and informed his pupil of the general, +inflexible rules, necessary to support general peace and order in +society. + +The happiness and prosperity of mankind, arising from the social +virtue of benevolence and its subdivisions, may be compared to a +wall, built by many hands, which still rises by each stone that +is heaped upon it, and receives increase proportional to the +diligence and care of each workman. The same happiness, raised by +the social virtue of justice and its subdivisions, may be +compared to the building of a vault, where each individual stone +would, of itself, fall to the ground; nor is the whole fabric +supported but by the mutual assistance and combination of its +corresponding parts. + +All the laws of nature, which regulate property, as well as all +civil laws, are general, and regard alone some essential +circumstances of the case, without taking into consideration the +characters, situations, and connexions of the person concerned, +or any particular consequences which may result from the +determination of these laws in any particular case which offers. +They deprive, without scruple, a beneficent man of all his +possessions, if acquired by mistake, without a good title; in +order to bestow them on a selfish miser, who has already heaped +up immense stores of superfluous riches. Public utility requires +that property should be regulated by general inflexible rules; +and though such rules are adopted as best serve the same end of +public utility, it is impossible for them to prevent all +particular hardships, or make beneficial consequences result from +every individual case. It is sufficient, if the whole plan or +scheme be necessary to the support of civil society, and if the +balance of good, in the main, do thereby preponderate much above +that of evil. Even the general laws of the universe, though +planned by infinite wisdom, cannot exclude all evil or +inconvenience in every particular operation. + +It has been asserted by some, that justice arises from Human +Conventions, and proceeds from the voluntary choice, consent, or +combination of mankind. If by CONVENTION be here meant a PROMISE +(which is the most usual sense of the word) nothing can be more +absurd than this position. The observance of promises is itself +one of the most considerable parts of justice, and we are not +surely bound to keep our word because we have given our word to +keep it. But if by convention be meant a sense of common +interest, which sense each man feels in his own breast, which he +remarks in his fellows, and which carries him, in concurrence +with others, into a general plan or system of actions, which +tends to public utility; it must be owned, that, in this sense, +justice arises from human conventions. For if it be allowed (what +is, indeed, evident) that the particular consequences of a +particular act of justice may be hurtful to the public as well as +to individuals; it follows that every man, in embracing that +virtue, must have an eye to the whole plan or system, and must +expect the concurrence of his fellows in the same conduct and +behaviour. Did all his views terminate in the consequences of +each act of his own, his benevolence and humanity, as well as his +self-love, might often prescribe to him measures of conduct very +different from those which are agreeable to the strict rules of +right and justice. + +Thus, two men pull the oars of a boat by common convention for +common interest, without any promise or contract; thus gold and +silver are made the measures of exchange; thus speech and words +and language are fixed by human convention and agreement. +Whatever is advantageous to two or more persons, if all perform +their part; but what loses all advantage if only one perform, can +arise from no other principle There would otherwise be no motive +for any one of them to enter into that scheme of conduct. + +[Footnote: This theory concerning the origin of property, and +consequently of justice, is, in the main, the same with that +hinted at and adopted by Grotius, 'Hinc discimus, quae fuerit +causa, ob quam a primaeva communione rerum primo mobilium, deinde +et immobilinm discessum est: nimirum quod cum non contenti +homines vesci sponte natis, antra habitare, corpore aut nudo +agere, aut corticibus arborum ferarumve pellibus vestito, vitae +genus exquisitius delegissent, industria opus fuit, quam singuli +rebus singulls adhiberent. Quo minus autem fructus in commune +conferrentur, primum obstitit locorum, in quae homines +discesserunt, distantia, deinde justitiae et amoris defectus, per +quem fiebat, ut nee in labore, nee in consumtione fructuum, quae +debebat, aequalitas servaretur. Simul discimus, quomodo res in +proprietatem iverint; non animi actu solo, neque enim scire alii +poterant, quid alil suum esse vellent, ut eo abstinerent, et idem +velle plures poterant; sed pacto quodam aut expresso, ut per +divisionem, aut tacito, ut per occupationem.' De jure belli et +pacis. Lib. ii. cap. 2. sec. 2. art. 4 and 5.] + +The word NATURAL is commonly taken in so many senses and is of so +loose a signification, that it seems vain to dispute whether +justice be natural or not. If self-love, if benevolence be +natural to man; if reason and forethought be also natural; then +may the same epithet be applied to justice, order, fidelity, +property, society. Men's inclination, their necessities, lead +them to combine; their understanding and experience tell them +that this combination is impossible where each governs himself by +no rule, and pays no regard to the possessions of others: and +from these passions and reflections conjoined, as soon as we +observe like passions and reflections in others, the sentiment of +justice, throughout all ages, has infallibly and certainly had +place to some degree or other in every individual of the human +species. In so sagacious an animal, what necessarily arises from +the exertion of his intellectual faculties may justly be esteemed +natural. + +[Footnote: Natural may be opposed, either to what is UNUSUAL, +MIRACULOUS or ARTIFICIAL. In the two former senses, justice and +property are undoubtedly natural. But as they suppose reason, +forethought, design, and a social union and confederacy among +men, perhaps that epithet cannot strictly, in the last sense, be +applied to them. Had men lived without society, property had +never been known, and neither justice nor injustice had ever +existed. But society among human creatures had been impossible +without reason and forethought. Inferior animals, that unite, are +guided by instinct, which supplies the place for reason. But all +these disputes are merely verbal.] + +Among all civilized nations it has been the constant endeavour to +remove everything arbitrary and partial from the decision of +property, and to fix the sentence of judges by such general views +and considerations as may be equal to every member of society. +For besides, that nothing could be more dangerous than to +accustom the bench, even in the smallest instance, to regard +private friendship or enmity; it is certain, that men, where they +imagine that there was no other reason for the preference of +their adversary but personal favour, are apt to entertain the +strongest ill-will against the magistrates and judges. When +natural reason, therefore, points out no fixed view of public +utility by which a controversy of property can be decided, +positive laws are often framed to supply its place, and direct +the procedure of all courts of judicature. Where these too fail, +as often happens, precedents are called for; and a former +decision, though given itself without any sufficient reason, +justly becomes a sufficient reason for a new decision. If direct +laws and precedents be wanting, imperfect and indirect ones are +brought in aid; and the controverted case is ranged under them by +analogical reasonings and comparisons, and similitudes, and +correspondencies, which are often more fanciful than real. In +general, it may safely be affirmed that jurisprudence is, in this +respect, different from all the sciences; and that in many of its +nicer questions, there cannot properly be said to be truth or +falsehood on either side. If one pleader bring the case under any +former law or precedent, by a refined analogy or comparison; the +opposite pleader is not at a loss to find an opposite analogy or +comparison: and the preference given by the judge is often +founded more on taste and imagination than on any solid argument. +Public utility is the general object of all courts of judicature; +and this utility too requires a stable rule in all controversies: +but where several rules, nearly equal and indifferent, present +themselves, it is a very slight turn of thought which fixes the +decision in favour of either party. + + + +[Footnote: That there be a separation or distinction of +possessions, and that this separation be steady and constant; +this is absolutely required by the interests of society, and +hence the origin of justice and property. What possessions are +assigned to particular persons; this is, generally speaking, +pretty indifferent; and is often determined by very frivolous +views and considerations. We shall mention a few particulars. + +Were a society formed among several independent members, the most +obvious rule, which could be agreed on, would be to annex +property to PRESENT possession, and leave every one a right to +what he at present enjoys. The relation of possession, which +takes place between the person and the object, naturally draws on +the relation of property. + +For a like reason, occupation or first possession becomes the +foundation of property. + +Where a man bestows labour and industry upon any object, which +before belonged to no body; as in cutting down and shaping a +tree, in cultivating a field, &c., the alterations, which he +produces, causes a relation between him and the object, and +naturally engages us to annex it to him by the new relation of +property. This cause here concurs with the public utility, which +consists in the encouragement given to industry and labour. + +Perhaps too, private humanity towards the possessor concurs, in +this instance, with the other motives, and engages us to leave +with him what he has acquired by his sweat and labour; and what +he has flattered himself in the constant enjoyment of. For though +private humanity can, by no means, be the origin of justice; +since the latter virtue so often contradicts the former; yet when +the rule of separate and constant possession is once formed by +the indispensable necessities of society, private humanity, and +an aversion to the doing a hardship to another, may, in a +particular instance, give rise to a particular rule of property. + +I am much inclined to think, that the right succession or +inheritance much depends on those connexions of the imagination, +and that the relation to a former proprietor begetting a relation +to the object, is the cause why the property is transferred to a +man after the death of his kinsman. It is true; industry is more +encouraged by the transference of possession to children or near +relations: but this consideration will only have place in a +cultivated society; whereas the right of succession is regarded +even among the greatest Barbarians. + +Acquisition of property by accession can be explained no way but +by having recourse to the relations and connexions of the +imaginations. + +The property of rivers, by the laws of most nations, and by the +natural turn of our thoughts, is attributed to the proprietors of +their banks, excepting such vast rivers as the Rhine or the +Danube, which seem too large to follow as an accession to the +property of the neighbouring fields. Yet even these rivers are +considered as the property of that nation, through whose +dominions they run; the idea of a nation being of a suitable bulk +to correspond with them, and bear them such a relation in the +fancy. + +The accessions, which are made to land, bordering upon rivers, +follow the land, say the civilians, provided it be made by what +they call alluvion, that is, insensibly and imperceptibly; which +are circumstances, that assist the imagination in the +conjunction. + +Where there is any considerable portion torn at once from one +bank and added to another, it becomes not his property, whose +land it falls on, till it unite with the land, and till the trees +and plants have spread their roots into both. Before that, the +thought does not sufficiently join them. + +In short, we must ever distinguish between the necessity of a +separation and constancy in men's possession, and the rules, +which assign particular objects to particular persons. The first +necessity is obvious, strong, and invincible: the latter may +depend on a public utility more light and frivolous, on the +sentiment of private humanity and aversion to private hardship, +on positive laws, on precedents, analogies, and very fine +connexions and turns of the imagination.] + + + +We may just observe, before we conclude this subject, that after +the laws of justice are fixed by views of general utility, the +injury, the hardship, the harm, which result to any individual +from a violation of them, enter very much into consideration, and +are a great source of that universal blame which attends every +wrong or iniquity. By the laws of society, this coat, this horse +is mine, and OUGHT to remain perpetually in my possession: I +reckon on the secure enjoyment of it: by depriving me of it, you +disappoint my expectations, and doubly displease me, and offend +every bystander. It is a public wrong, so far as the rules of +equity are violated: it is a private harm, so far as an +individual is injured. And though the second consideration could +have no place, were not the former previously established: for +otherwise the distinction of MINE and THINE would be unknown in +society: yet there is no question but the regard to general good +is much enforced by the respect to particular. What injures the +community, without hurting any individual, is often more lightly +thought of. But where the greatest public wrong is also conjoined +with a considerable private one, no wonder the highest +disapprobation attends so iniquitous a behaviour. + + + +APPENDIX IV. + +OF SOME VERBAL DISPUTES. + + + +Nothing is more usual than for philosophers to encroach upon the +province of grammarians; and to engage in disputes of words, +while they imagine that they are handling controversies of the +deepest importance and concern. It was in order to avoid +altercations, so frivolous and endless, that I endeavoured to +state with the utmost caution the object of our present enquiry; +and proposed simply to collect, on the one hand, a list of those +mental qualities which are the object of love or esteem, and form +a part of personal merit; and on the other hand, a catalogue of +those qualities which are the object of censure or reproach, and +which detract from the character of the person possessed of them; +subjoining some reflections concerning the origin of these +sentiments of praise or blame. On all occasions, where there +might arise the least hesitation, I avoided the terms VIRTUE and +VICE; because some of those qualities, which I classed among the +objects of praise, receive, in the English language, the +appellation of TALENTS, rather than of virtues; as some of the +blameable or censurable qualities are often called defects, +rather than vices. It may now, perhaps, be expected that before +we conclude this moral enquiry, we should exactly separate the +one from the other; should mark the precise boundaries of virtues +and talents, vices and defects; and should explain the reason and +origin of that distinction. But in order to excuse myself from +this undertaking, which would, at last, prove only a grammatical +enquiry, I shall subjoin the four following reflections, which +shall contain all that I intend to say on the present subject. + +First, I do not find that in the English, or any other modern +tongue, the boundaries are exactly fixed between virtues and +talents, vices and defects, or that a precise definition can be +given of the one as contradistinguished from the other. Were we +to say, for instance, that the esteemable qualities alone, which +are voluntary, are entitled to the appellations of virtues; we +should soon recollect the qualities of courage, equanimity, +patience, self-command; with many others, which almost every +language classes under this appellation, though they depend +little or not at all on our choice. Should we affirm that the +qualities alone, which prompt us to act our part in society, are +entitled to that honourable distinction; it must immediately +occur that these are indeed the most valuable qualities, and are +commonly denominated the SOCIAL virtues; but that this very +epithet supposes that there are also virtues of another species. +Should we lay hold of the distinction between INTELLECTUAL and +MORAL endowments, and affirm the last alone to be the real and +genuine virtues, because they alone lead to action; we should +find that many of those qualities, usually called intellectual +virtues, such as prudence, penetration, discernment, discretion, +had also a considerable influence on conduct. The distinction +between the heart and the head may also be adopted: the qualities +of the first may be defined such as in their immediate exertion +are accompanied with a feeling of sentiment; and these alone may +be called the genuine virtues: but industry, frugality, +temperance, secrecy, perseverance, and many other laudable powers +or habits, generally stiled virtues are exerted without any +immediate sentiment in the person possessed of them, and are only +known to him by their effects. It is fortunate, amidst all this +seeming perplexity, that the question, being merely verbal, +cannot possibly be of any importance. A moral, philosophical +discourse needs not enter into all these caprices of language, +which are so variable in different dialects, and in different +ages of the same dialect. But on the whole, it seems to me, that +though it is always allowed, that there are virtues of many +different kinds, yet, when a man is called virtuous, or is +denominated a man of virtue, we chiefly regard his social +qualities, which are, indeed, the most valuable. It is, at the +same time, certain, that any remarkable defect in courage, +temperance, economy, industry, understanding, dignity of mind, +would bereave even a very good-natured, honest man of this +honourable appellation. Who did ever say, except by way of irony, +that such a one was a man of great virtue, but an egregious +blockhead? + +But, Secondly, it is no wonder that languages should not be very +precise in marking the boundaries between virtues and talents, +vices and defects; since there is so little distinction made in +our internal estimation of them. It seems indeed certain, that +the SENTIMENT of conscious worth, the self-satisfaction +proceeding from a review of a man's own conduct and character; it +seems certain, I say, that this sentiment, which, though the most +common of all others, has no proper name in our language, + +[Footnote: The term, pride, is commonly taken in a bad sense; but +this sentiment seems indifferent, and may be either good or bad, +according as it is well or ill founded, and according to the +other circumstances which accompany it. The French express this +sentiment by the term, AMOUR PROPRE, but as they also express +self-love as well as vanity by the same term, there arises thence +a great confusion in Rochefoucault, and many of their moral +writers.] + +arises from the endowments of courage and capacity, industry and +ingenuity, as well as from any other mental excellencies. Who, on +the other hand, is not deeply mortified with reflecting on his +own folly and dissoluteness, and feels not a secret sting or +compunction whenever his memory presents any past occurrence, +where he behaved with stupidity of ill-manners? No time can +efface the cruel ideas of a man's own foolish conduct, or of +affronts, which cowardice or impudence has brought upon him. They +still haunt his solitary hours, damp his most aspiring thoughts, +and show him, even to himself, in the most contemptible and most +odious colours imaginable. + +What is there too we are more anxious to conceal from others than +such blunders, infirmities, and meannesses, or more dread to have +exposed by raillery and satire? And is not the chief object of +vanity, our bravery or learning, our wit or breeding, our +eloquence or address, our taste or abilities? These we display +with care, if not with ostentation; and we commonly show more +ambition of excelling in them, than even in the social virtues +themselves, which are, in reality, of such superior excellence. +Good-nature and honesty, especially the latter, are so +indispensably required, that, though the greatest censure attends +any violation of these duties, no eminent praise follows such +common instances of them, as seem essential to the support of +human society. And hence the reason, in my opinion, why, though +men often extol so liberally the qualities of their heart, they +are shy in commending the endowments of their head: because the +latter virtues, being supposed more rare and extraordinary, are +observed to be the more usual objects of pride and self-conceit; +and when boasted of, beget a strong suspicion of these +sentiments. + +It is hard to tell, whether you hurt a man's character most by +calling him a knave or a coward, and whether a beastly glutton or +drunkard be not as odious and contemptible, as a selfish, +ungenerous miser. Give me my choice, and I would rather, for my +own happiness and self-enjoyment, have a friendly, humane heart, +than possess all the other virtues of Demosthenes and Philip +united: but I would rather pass with the world for one endowed +with extensive genius and intrepid courage, and should thence +expect stronger instances of general applause and admiration. The +figure which a man makes in life, the reception which he meets +with in company, the esteem paid him by his acquaintance; all +these advantages depend as much upon his good sense and +judgement, as upon any other part of his character. Had a man the +best intentions in the world, and were the farthest removed from +all injustice and violence, he would never be able to make +himself be much regarded, without a moderate share, at least, of +parts and understanding. + +What is it then we can here dispute about? If sense and courage, +temperance and industry, wisdom and knowledge confessedly form a +considerable part of PERSONAL MERIT: if a man, possessed of these +qualities, is both better satisfied with himself, and better +entitled to the good-will, esteem, and services of others, than +one entirely destitute of them; if, in short, the SENTIMENTS are +similar which arise from these endowments and from the social +virtues; is there any reason for being so extremely scrupulous +about a WORD, or disputing whether they be entitled to the +denomination of virtues? It may, indeed, be pretended, that the +sentiment of approbation, which those accomplishments produce, +besides its being INFERIOR, is also somewhat DIFFERENT from that +which attends the virtues of justice and humanity. But this seems +not a sufficient reason for ranking them entirely under different +classes and appellations. The character of Caesar and that of +Cato, as drawn by Sallust, are both of them virtuous, in the +strictest and most limited sense of the word; but in a different +way: nor are the sentiments entirely the same which arise from +them. The one produces love, the other esteem: the one is +amiable, the other awful: we should wish to meet the one +character in a friend; the other we should be ambitious of in +ourselves. In like manner the approbation, which attends +temperance or industry or frugality, may be somewhat different +from that which is paid to the social virtues, without making +them entirely of a different species. And, indeed, we may +observe, that these endowments, more than the other virtues, +produce not, all of them, the same kind of approbation. Good +sense and genius beget esteem and regard: wit and humour excite +love and affection. + +[Footnote: Love and esteem are nearly the same passion, and arise +from similar causes. The qualities, which produce both, are such +as communicate pleasures. But where this pleasure is severe and +serious; or where its object is great, and makes a strong +impression, or where it produces any degree of humility and awe; +in all these cases, the passion, which arises from the pleasure, +is more properly denominated esteem than love. Benevolence +attends both; but is connected with love in a more eminent +degree. There seems to be still a stronger mixture of pride in +contempt than of humility in esteem; and the reason would not be +difficulty to one, who studied accurately the passions. All these +various mixtures and compositions and appearances of sentiment +from a very curious subject of speculation, but are wide for our +present purpose. Throughout this enquiry, we always consider in +general, what qualities are a subject of praise or of censure, +without entering into all the minute differences of sentiment, +which they excite. It is evident, that whatever is contemned, is +also disliked, as well as what is hated; and we here endeavour to +take objects, according to their most simple views and +appearances. These sciences are but too apt to appear abstract to +common readers, even with all the precautions which we can take +to clear them from superfluous speculations, and bring them down +to every capacity.] + +Most people, I believe, will naturally, without premeditation, +assent to the definition of the elegant and judicious poet: + +Virtue (for mere good-nature is a fool) +Is sense and spirit with humanity. + +[Footnote: The Art of preserving Health. Book 4] + +What pretensions has a man to our generous assistance or good +offices, who has dissipated his wealth in profuse expenses, idle +vanities, chimerical projects, dissolute pleasures or extravagant +gaming? These vices (for we scruple not to call them such) bring +misery unpitied, and contempt on every one addicted to them. + +Achaeus, a wise and prudent prince, fell into a fatal snare, +which cost him his crown and life, after having used every +reasonable precaution to guard himself against it. On that +account, says the historian, he is a just object of regard and +compassion: his betrayers alone of hatred and contempt [Footnote: +Polybius, lib. iii. cap. 2]. + +The precipitate flight and improvident negligence of Pompey, at +the beginning of the civil wars, appeared such notorious blunders +to Cicero, as quite palled his friendship towards that great man. +In the same manner, says he, as want of cleanliness, decency, or +discretion in a mistress are found to alienate our affections. +For so he expresses himself, where he talks, not in the character +of a philosopher, but in that of a statesman and man of the +world, to his friend Atticus. [Lib. ix. epist. 10]. But the same +Cicero, in imitation of all the ancient moralists, when he +reasons as a philosopher, enlarges very much his ideas of virtue, +and comprehends every laudable quality or endowment of the mind, +under that honourable appellation. This leads to the THIRD +reflection, which we proposed to make, to wit, that the ancient +moralists, the best models, made no material distinction among +the different species of mental endowments and defects, but +treated all alike under the appellation of virtues and vices, and +made them indiscriminately the object of their moral reasonings. +The prudence explained in Cicero's Offices [Footnote: Lib. i. +cap. 6.] is that sagacity, which leads to the discovery of truth, +and preserves us from error and mistake. MAGNANIMITY, TEMPERANCE, +DECENCY, are there also at large discoursed of. And as that +eloquent moralist followed the common received division of the +four cardinal virtues, our social duties form but one head, in +the general distribution of his subject. + + + +[Footnote: The following passage of Cicero is worth quoting, as +being the most clear and express to our purpose, that any thing +can be imagined, and, in a dispute, which is chiefly verbal, +must, on account of the author, carry an authority, from which +there can be no appeal. + +'Virtus autem, quae est per se ipsa laudabilis, et sine qua +nihil laudari potest, tamen habet plures partes, quarum alia est +alia ad laudationem aptior. Sunt enim aliae virtutes, quae +videntur in moribus hominum, et quadam comitate ac beneficentia +positae: aliae quae in ingenii aliqua facultate, aut animi +magnitudine ac robore. Nam clementia, justitia, benignitas, +fides, fortitudo in periculis communibus, jucunda est auditu in +laudationibus. Omnes enim hae virtutes non tam ipsis, qui eas in +se habent, quam generi hominum fructuosae putantur. Sapientia et +magnitude animi, qua omnes res humanae tenues et pro nihilo +putantur, et in cogitando vis quaedam ingenii, et ipsa eloquentia +admirationis habet non minus, jucunditatis minus. Ipsos enim +magis videntur, quos laudamus, quam illos, apud quos laudamus +ornare ac tueri: sed tamen in laudenda jungenda sunt eliam haec +genera virtutum. Ferunt enim aures bominum, cum ilia quae jucunda +et grata, tum etiam ilia, quae mirabilia sunt in virtute, +laudari.' De orat. lib. ii. cap. 84. + +I suppose, if Cicero were now alive, it would be found difficult +to fetter his moral sentiments by narrow systems; or persuade +him, that no qualities were to be admitted as virtues, or +acknowledged to be a part of PERSONAL MERIT, but what were +recommended by The Whole Duty of Man.] + + + +We need only peruse the titles of chapters in Aristotle's Ethics +to be convinced that he ranks courage, temperance, magnificence, +magnanimity, modesty, prudence, and a manly openness, among the +virtues, as well as justice and friendship. + +To SUSTAIN and to ABSTAIN, that is, to be patient and continent, +appeared to some of the ancients a summary comprehension of all +morals. + +Epictetus has scarcely ever mentioned the sentiment of humanity +and compassion, but in order to put his disciples on their guard +against it. The virtue of the Stoics seems to consist chiefly in +a firm temper and a sound understanding. With them, as with +Solomon and the eastern moralists, folly and wisdom are +equivalent to vice and virtue. + +Men will praise thee, says David, [Footnote: Psalm 49th.] when +thou dost well unto thyself. I hate a wise man, says the Greek +poet, who is not wise to himself [Footnote: Here, Hume quotes +Euripedes in Greek]. Plutarch is no more cramped by systems in +his philosophy than in his history. Where he compares the great +men of Greece and Rome, he fairly sets in opposition all their +blemishes and accomplishments of whatever kind, and omits nothing +considerable, which can either depress or exalt their characters. +His moral discourses contain the same free and natural censure of +men and manners. + +The character of Hannibal, as drawn by Livy, [Footnote: Lib. xxi. +cap. 4] is esteemed partial, but allows him many eminent virtues. +Never was there a genius, says the historian, more equally fitted +for those opposite offices of commanding and obeying; and it +were, therefore, difficult to determine whether he rendered +himself DEARER to the general or to the army. To none would +Hasdrubal entrust more willingly the conduct of any dangerous +enterprize; under none did the soldiers discover more courage and +confidence. Great boldness in facing danger; great prudence in +the midst of it. No labour could fatigue his body or subdue his +mind. Cold and heat were indifferent to him: meat and drink he +sought as supplies to the necessities of nature, not as +gratifications of his voluptuous appetites. Waking or rest he +used indiscriminately, by night or by day.--These great Virtues +were balanced by great Vices; inhuman cruelty; perfidy more than +punic; no truth, no faith, no regard to oaths, promises, or +religion. + + +The character of Alexander the Sixth, to be found in Guicciardin, +[Footnote: Lib. i.] is pretty similar, but juster; and is a proof +that even the moderns, where they speak naturally, hold the same +language with the ancients. In this pope, says he, there was a +singular capacity and judgement: admirable prudence; a wonderful +talent of persuasion; and in all momentous enterprizes a +diligence and dexterity incredible. But these VIRTUES were +infinitely overbalanced by his VICES; no faith, no religion, +insatiable avarice, exorbitant ambition, and a more than +barbarous cruelty. + +Polybius, [Footnote: Lib. xii.] reprehending Timaeus for his +partiality against Agathocles, whom he himself allows to be the +most cruel and impious of all tyrants, says: if he took refuge in +Syracuse, as asserted by that historian, flying the dirt and +smoke and toil of his former profession of a potter; and if +proceeding from such slender beginnings, he became master, in a +little time, of all Sicily; brought the Carthaginian state into +the utmost danger; and at last died in old age, and in possession +of sovereign dignity: must he not be allowed something prodigious +and extraordinary, and to have possessed great talents and +capacity for business and action? His historian, therefore, ought +not to have alone related what tended to his reproach and infamy; +but also what might redound to his Praise and Honour. + +In general, we may observe, that the distinction of voluntary or +involuntary was little regarded by the ancients in their moral +reasonings; where they frequently treated the question as very +doubtful, WHETHER VIRTUE COULD BE TAUGHT OR NOT [Vid. Plato in +Menone, Seneca de otio sap. cap. 31. So also Horace, Virtutem +doctrina paret, naturane donet, Epist. lib. I. ep. 18. Aeschines +Socraticus, Dial. I.]? They justly considered that cowardice, +meanness, levity, anxiety, impatience, folly, and many other +qualities of the mind, might appear ridiculous and deformed, +contemptible and odious, though independent of the will. Nor +could it be supposed, at all times, in every man's power to +attain every kind of mental more than of exterior beauty. + +And here there occurs the FOURTH reflection which I purposed to +make, in suggesting the reason why modern philosophers have often +followed a course in their moral enquiries so different from that +of the ancients. In later times, philosophy of all kinds, +especially ethics, have been more closely united with theology +than ever they were observed to be among the heathens; and as +this latter science admits of no terms of composition, but bends +every branch of knowledge to its own purpose, without much regard +to the phenomena of nature, or to the unbiassed sentiments of the +mind, hence reasoning, and even language, have been warped from +their natural course, and distinctions have been endeavoured to +be established where the difference of the objects was, in a +manner, imperceptible. Philosophers, or rather divines under that +disguise, treating all morals as on a like footing with civil +laws, guarded by the sanctions of reward and punishment, were +necessarily led to render this circumstance, of VOLUNTARY or +INVOLUNTARY, the foundation of their whole theory. Every one may +employ TERMS in what sense he pleases: but this, in the mean +time, must be allowed, that SENTIMENTS are every day experienced +of blame and praise, which have objects beyond the dominion of +the will or choice, and of which it behoves us, if not as +moralists, as speculative philosophers at least, to give some +satisfactory theory and explication. + +A blemish, a fault, a vice, a crime; these expressions seem to +denote different degrees of censure and disapprobation; which +are, however, all of them, at the bottom, pretty nearly all the +same kind of species. The explication of one will easily lead us +into a just conception of the others; and it is of greater +consequence to attend to things than to verbal appellations. That +we owe a duty to ourselves is confessed even in the most vulgar +system of morals; and it must be of consequence to examine that +duty, in order to see whether it bears any affinity to that which +we owe to society. It is probable that the approbation attending +the observance of both is of a similar nature, and arises from +similar principles, whatever appellation we may give to either of +these excellencies. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals +by David Hume + diff --git a/old/nqpmr10.zip b/old/nqpmr10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e763343 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/nqpmr10.zip |