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ife convinces us that we have this remedy always at hand ＇〃I am unhappy； only while I please〃＇24＇； and we soon come therefore to anticipate the cure； and so； even while we are in the presence of the sufferer； to feel that he and ourselves are not perfectly one。
＇24＇ Douglas。
But with our own distempers and adversities it is altogether different。 It is this that barbs the arrow。 We may change the place of our local existence； but we cannot go away from ourselves。 With chariots； and embarking ourselves on board of ships； we may seek to escape from the enemy。 But grief and apprehension enter the vessel along with us； and； when we mount on horseback； the discontent that specially annoyed us； gets up behind； and clings to our sides with a hold never to be loosened＇25＇。
＇25＇ Horace。
Is it then indeed a proof of selfishness； that we are in a greater or less degree relieved from the anguish we endured for our friend； when other objects occupy us； and we are no longer the witnesses of his sufferings？ If this were true； the same argument would irresistibly prove； that we are the most generous of imaginable beings； the most disregardful of whatever relates to ourselves。 Is it not the first ejaculation of the miserable； 〃Oh； that I could fly from myself？ Oh； for a thick； substantial sleep！〃 What the desperate man hates is his own identity。 But he knows that； if for a few moments he loses himself in forgetfulness； he will presently awake to all that distracted him。 He knows that he must act his part to the end； and drink the bitter cup to the dregs。 He can do none of these things by proxy。 It is the consciousness of the indubitable future； from which we can never be divorced； that gives to our present calamity its most fearful empire。 Were it not for this great line of distinction； there are many that would feel not less for their friend than for themselves。 But they are aware； that his ruin will not make them beggars； his mortal disease will not bring them to the tomb； and that； when he is dead； they may yet be reserved for many years of health； of consciousness and vigour。
The language of the hypothesis of self…love was well adapted to the courtiers of the reign of Louis the Fourteenth。 The language of disinterestedness was adapted to the ancient republicans in the purest times of Sparta and Rome。
But these ancients were not always disinterested； and the moderns are not always narrow； self…centred and cold。 The ancients paid； though with comparative infrequency； the tax imposed upon mortals； and thought of their own gratification and ease； and the moderns are not utterly disqualified for acts of heroic affection。
It is of great consequence that men should come to think correctly on this subject。 The most snail…blooded man that exists； is not so selfish as he pretends to be。 In spite of all the indifference he professes towards the good of others； he will sometimes be detected in a very heretical state of sensibility towards his wife； his child or his friend； he will shed tears at a tale of distress； and make considerable sacrifices of his own gratification for the relief of others。
But his creed is a pernicious one。 He who for ever thinks； that his 〃charity must begin at home；〃 is in great danger of becoming an indifferent citizen； and of withering those feelings of philanthropy； which in all sound estimation constitute the crowning glory of man。 He will perhaps have a reasonable affection towards what he calls his own flesh and blood； and may assist even a stranger in a case of urgent distress。But it is dangerous to trifle with the first principles and sentiments of morality。 And this man will scarcely in any case have his mind prepared to hail the first dawnings of human improvement； and to regard all that belongs to the welfare of his kind as parcel of his own particular estate。
The creed of self…love will always have a tendency to make us Frenchmen in the frivolous part of that character； and Dutchmen in the plodding and shopkeeping spirit of barter and sale。 There is no need that we should beat down the impulse of heroism in the human character； and be upon our guard against the effervescences and excess of a generous sentiment。 One of the instructors of my youth was accustomed to say to his pupils； 〃Do not be afraid to commit your thoughts to paper in all the fervour and glow of your first conception： when you come to look at them the next day； you will find this gone off to a surprising degree。〃 As this was no ill precept for literary composition； even so in our actions and moral conduct we shall be in small danger of being too warm…hearted and too generous。
Modern improvements in education are earnest in recommending to us the study of facts； and that we should not waste the time of young persons upon the flights of imagination。 But it is to imagination that we are indebted for our highest enjoyments； it tames the ruggedness of uncivilised nature； and is the never…failing associate of all the considerable advances of social man； whether in throwing down the strong fences of intellectual slavery； or in giving firmness and duration to the edifice of political freedom。
And who does not feel that every thing depends upon the creed we embrace； and the discipline we exercise over our own souls？
The disciple of the theory of self…love； if of a liberal disposition； will perpetually whip himself forward 〃with loose reins；〃 upon a spiritless Pegasus； and say； 〃I will do generous things； I will not bring into contempt the master I servethough I am conscious all the while that this is but a delusion； and that； however I brag of generosity； I do not set a step forward； but singly for my own ends； and my own gratification。〃 Meanwhile； this is all a forced condition of thought； and the man who cherishes it； will be perpetually falling back into the cold； heartless convictions he inwardly retains。 Self…love is the unwholesome； infectious atmosphere in which he dwells； and； however he may seek to rise； the wings of his soul will eternally be drawn downwards； and he cannot be pervaded； as he might have been； with the free spirit of genuine philanthropy。 To be consistent； he ought continually to grow colder and colder； and the romance； which fired his youth； and made him forget the venomous potion he had swallowed； will fade away in age； rendering him careless of all but himself； and indifferent to the adversity and sufferings of all of whom he hears； and all with whom he is connected。
On the other hand； the man who has embraced the creed of disinterested benevolence； will know that it is not his fitting element to 〃live for himself； or to die for himself。〃 Whether he is under the dominion of family…affection； friendship； patriotism； or a zeal for his brethren of mankind； he will feel that he is at home。 The generous man therefore looks forward to the time when the chilling and wretched philosophy of the reign of Louis the Fourteenth shall be forgotten； and a fervent desire for the happiness and improvement of the human species shall reign in all hearts。
I am not especially desirous of sheltering my opinions under the authority of great names： but； in a question of such vital importance to the true welfare of men in society； no fair advantage should be neglected。 The author of the system of 〃self…love the source of all our actions〃 was La Rochefoucault； and the whole herd of the French philosophers have not been ashamed to follow in the train of their vaunted master。 I am grieved to say； that； as I think； the majority of my refining and subtilising countrymen of the present day have enlisted under his banner。 But the more noble and generous view of the subject has been powerfully supported by Shaftesbury； Butler； Hutcheson and Hume。 On the last of these I particularly pique myself； inasmuch as； though he became naturalised as a Frenchman in a vast variety of topics； the greatness of his intellectual powers exempted him from degradation in this。
That however which I would chiefly urge in the way of authority； is the thing mentioned in the beginning of this Essay； I mean； the sentiments that have animated the authors of religion； that characterise the best ages of Greece and Rome； and that in all cases display themselves when the loftiest and most generous sentiments of the heart are called into action。 The opposite creed could only have been engendered in the dregs of a corrupt and emasculated court； and human nature will never shew itself what it is capable of being； till the last remains of a doctrine； invented in the latter part of the seventeenth century； shall have been consigned to the execration they deserve。
ESSAY XII。 OF THE LIBERTY OF HUMAN ACTIONS。
The question； which has been attended with so long and obstinate debates； concerning the metaphysical doctrines of liberty and necessity； and the freedom of human actions； is not even yet finally and satisfactorily settled。
The negative is made out by an argument which seems to amount to demonstration； that every event requires a cause； a cause why it is as it is and not otherwise； that the human will is guided by motives； and is consequently always ruled by the strongest motive； and that we can never choose a