PartFirst。
OftheGeneralCharacteristicsofHumanNatureSectionI。
OfthequestionrelatingtotheStateofNatureNaturalproductionsaregenerallyformedbydegrees。
Vegetablesgrowfromatendershoot,andanimalsfromaninfantstate。Thelatterbeingdestinedtoact,extendtheiroperationsastheirpowersincrease:theyexhibitaprogress,inwhattheyperform,aswellasinthefacultiestheyacquire。Thisprogressinthecaseofmaniscontinuedtoagreaterextentthaninthatofanyotheranimal。Notonlytheindividualadvancesfrominfancytomanhood,butthespeciesitselffromrudenesstocivilization。Hencethesupposeddepartureofmankindfromthestateoftheirnature;henceourconjecturesanddifferentopinionsofwhatmanmusthavebeeninthefirstageofhisbeing。Thepoet,thehistorian,andthemoralist,frequentlyalludetothisancienttime;andundertheemblemsofgold,orofiron,representacondition,andamanneroflife,fromwhichmankindhaveeitherdegenerated,oronwhichtheyhavegreatlyimproved。Oneithersupposition,thefirststateofournaturemusthavebornenoresemblancetowhatmenhaveexhibitedinanysubsequentperiod;historicalmonuments,evenoftheearliestdate,aretobeconsideredasnovelties;andthemostcommonestablishmentsofhumansocietyaretobeclassedamongtheincroachmentswhichfraud,oppression,orabusyinvention,havemadeuponthereignofnature,bywhichthechiefofourgrievancesorblessingswereequallywith-held。Amongthewriterswhohaveattemptedtodistinguish,inthehumancharacter,itsoriginalqualities,andtopointoutthelimitsbetweennatureandart,somehaverepresentedmankindintheirfirstcondition,aspossessedofmereanimalsensibility,withoutanyexerciseofthefacultiesthatrenderthemsuperiortothebrutes,withoutanypoliticalunion,withoutanymeansofexplainingtheirsentiments,andevenwithoutpossessinganyoftheapprehensionsandpassionswhichthevoiceandthegesturearesowellfittedtoexpress。Othershavemadethestateofnaturetoconsistinperpetualwars,kindledbycompetitionfordominionandinterest,whereeveryindividualhadaseparatequarrelwithhiskind,andwherethepresenceofafellow-creaturewasthesignalofbattle。
Thedesireoflayingthefoundationofafavouritesystem,orafondexpectation,perhaps,thatwemaybeabletopenetratethesecretsofnature,totheverysourceofexistence,have,onthissubject,ledtomanyfruitlessinquiries,andgivenrisetomanywildsuppositions。Amongthevariousqualitieswhichmankindpossess,weselectoneorafewparticularsonwhichtoestablishatheory,andinframingouraccountofwhatmanwasinsomeimaginarystateofnature,weoverlookwhathehasalwaysappearedwithinthereachofourownobservation,andintherecordsofhistory。
Ineveryotherinstance,however,thenaturalhistorianthinkshimselfobligedtocollectfacts,nottoofferconjectures。Whenhetreatsofanyparticularspeciesofanimals,hesupposes,thattheirpresentdispositionsandinstinctsarethesametheyoriginallyhad,andthattheirpresentmanneroflifeisacontinuanceoftheirfirstdestination。Headmits,thathisknowledgeofthematerialsystemoftheworldconsistsinacollectionoffacts,oratmost,ingeneraltenetsderivedfromparticularobservationsandexperiments。Itisonlyinwhatrelatestohimself,andinmattersthemostimportant,andthemosteasilyknown,thathesubstituteshypothesisinsteadofreality,andconfoundstheprovincesofimaginationandreason,ofpoetryandscience。
Butwithoutenteringanyfartheronquestionseitherinmoralorphysicalsubjects,relatingtothemannerortotheoriginofourknowledge;withoutanydisparagementtothatsubtiltywhichwouldanalyzeeverysentiment,andtraceeverymodeofbeingtoitssource;itmaybesafelyaffirmed,thatthecharacterofman,ashenowexists,thatthelawsofthisanimalandintellectualsystem,onwhichhishappinessnowdepends,deserveourprincipalstudy;andthatgeneralprinciplesrelatingtothis,oranyothersubject,areusefulonlysofarastheyarefoundedonjustobservation,andleadtotheknowledgeofimportantconsequences,orsofarastheyenableustoactwithsuccesswhenwewouldapplyeithertheintellectualorthephysicalpowersofnature,tothegreatpurposesofhumanlife。
Ifboththeearliestandthelatestaccountscollectedfromeveryquarteroftheearth,representmankindasassembledintroopsandcompanies;andtheindividualalwaysjoinedbyaffectiontooneparty,whileheispossiblyopposedtoanother;
employedintheexerciseofrecollectionandforesight;inclinedtocommunicatehisownsentiments,andtobemadeacquaintedwiththoseofothers;thesefactsmustbeadmittedasthefoundationofallourreasoningrelativetoman。Hismixeddispositiontofriendshiporenmity,hisreason,hisuseoflanguageandarticulatesounds,liketheshapeandtheerectpositionofhisbody,aretobeconsideredassomanyattributesofhisnature:
theyaretoberetainedinhisdescription,asthewingandthepawareinthatoftheeagleandthelion,andasdifferentdegreesoffierceness,vigilance,timidity,orspeed,aremadetooccupyaplaceinthenaturalhistoryofdifferentanimals。
Ifthequestionbeput,Whatthemindofmancouldperform,whenlefttoitself,andwithouttheaidofanyforeigndirection?wearetolookforouranswerinthehistoryofmankind。Particularexperimentswhichhavebeenfoundsousefulinestablishingtheprinciplesofothersciences,couldprobably,onthissubject,teachusnothingimportant,ornew:wearetotakethehistoryofeveryactivebeingfromhisconductinthesituationtowhichheisformed,notfromhisappearanceinanyforcedoruncommoncondition;awildmantherefore,caughtinthewoods,wherehehadalwayslivedapartfromhisspecies,isasingularinstance,notaspecimenofanygeneralcharacter。Astheanatomyofaneyewhichhadneverreceivedtheimpressionsoflight,orthatofanearwhichhadneverfelttheimpulseofsounds,wouldprobablyexhibitdefectsintheverystructureoftheorgansthemselves,arisingfromtheirnotbeingappliedtotheirproperfunctions;soanyparticularcaseofthissortwouldonlyshewinwhatdegreethepowersofapprehensionandsentimentcouldexistwheretheyhadnotbeenemployed,andwhatwouldbethedefectsandimbecilitiesofaheartinwhichtheemotionsthatpertaintosocietyhadneverbeenfelt。
Mankindaretobetakeningroupes,astheyhavealwayssubsisted。Thehistoryoftheindividualisbutadetailofthesentimentsandthoughtshehasentertainedintheviewofhisspecies:andeveryexperimentrelativetothissubjectshouldbemadewithentiresocieties,notwithsinglemen。Wehaveeveryreason,however,tobelieve,thatinthecaseofsuchanexperimentmade,weshallsuppose,withacolonyofchildrentransplantedfromthenursery,andlefttoformasocietyapart,untaught,andundisciplined,weshouldonlyhavethesamethingsrepeated,which,insomanydifferentpartsoftheearth,havebeentransactedalready。Themembersofourlittlesocietywouldfeedandsleep,wouldherdtogetherandplay,wouldhavealanguageoftheirown,wouldquarrelanddivide,wouldbetooneanotherthemostimportantobjectsofthescene,and,intheardouroftheirfriendshipsandcompetitions,wouldoverlooktheirpersonaldanger,andsuspendthecareoftheirself-preservation。Hasnotthehumanracebeenplantedlikethecolonyinquestion?Whohasdirectedtheircourse?whoseinstructionhavetheyheard?orwhoseexamplehavetheyfollowed?
Nature,therefore,weshallpresume,havinggiventoeveryanimalitsmodeofexistence,itsdispositionsandmanneroflife,hasdealtequallywiththoseofthehumanrace;andthenaturalhistorianwhowouldcollectthepropertiesofthisspecies,mayfillupeveryarticlenow,aswellashecouldhavedoneinanyformerage。yetonepropertybywhichmanisdistinguished,hasbeensometimesoverlookedintheaccountofhisnature,orhasonlyservedtomisleadourattention。Inotherclassesofanimals,theindividualadvancesfrominfancytoageormaturity;andheattains,inthecompassofasinglelife,toalltheperfectionhisnaturecanreach:but,inthehumankind,thespecieshasaprogressaswellastheindividual;theybuildineverysubsequentageonfoundationsformerlylaid;and,inasuccessionofyears,tendtoaperfectionintheapplicationoftheirfaculties,towhichtheaidoflongexperienceisrequired,andtowhichmanygenerationsmusthavecombinedtheirendeavours。Weobservetheprogresstheyhavemade;wedistinctlyenumeratemanyofitssteps;wecantracethembacktoadistantantiquityofwhichnorecordremains,noranymonumentispreserved,toinformuswhatweretheopeningsofthiswonderfulscene。Theconsequenceis,thatinsteadofattendingtothecharacterofourspecies,wheretheparticularsarevouchedbythesurestauthority,weendeavourtotraceitthroughagesandscenesunknown;and,insteadofsupposingthatthebeginningofourstorywasnearlyofapiecewiththesequel,wethinkourselveswarrantedtorejecteverycircumstanceofourpresentconditionandframe,asadventitious,andforeigntoournature。
Theprogressofmankindfromasupposedstateofanimalsensibility,totheattainmentofreason,totheuseoflanguage,andtothehabitofsociety,hasbeenaccordinglypaintedwithaforceofimagination,anditsstepshavebeenmarkedwithaboldnessofinvention,thatwouldtemptustoadmit,amongthematerialsofhistory,thesuggestionsoffancy,andtoreceive,perhaps,asthemodelofournatureinitsoriginalstate,someoftheanimalswhoseshapehasthegreatestresemblancetoours。1*
Itwouldberidiculoustoaffirm,asadiscovery,thatthespeciesofthehorsewasprobablyneverthesamewiththatofthelion;yet,inoppositiontowhathasdroppedfromthepensofeminentwriters,weareobligedtoobserve,thatmenhavealwaysappearedamonganimalsadistinctandasuperiorrace;thatneitherthepossessionofsimilarorgans,northeapproximationofshape,northeuseofthehand,2*northecontinuedintercoursewiththissovereignartist,hasenabledanyotherspeciestoblendtheirnatureortheirinventionswithhis;thatinhisrudeststate,heisfoundtobeabovethem;andinhisgreatestdegeneracy,neverdescendstotheirlevel。Heis,inshort,amanineverycondition;andwecanlearnnothingofhisnaturefromtheanalogyofotheranimals。Ifwewouldknowhim,wemustattendtohimself,tothecourseofhislife,andthetenorofhisconduct。Withhimthesocietyappearstobeasoldastheindividual,andtheuseofthetongueasuniversalasthatofthehandorthefoot。Iftherewasatimeinwhichhehadhisacquaintancewithhisownspeciestomake,andhisfacultiestoacquire,itisatimeofwhichwehavenorecord,andinrelationtowhichouropinionscanservenopurpose,andaresupportedbynoevidence。
Weareoftentemptedintotheseboundlessregionsofignoranceorconjecture,byafancywhichdelightsincreatingratherthaninmerelyretainingtheformswhicharepresentedbeforeit:wearethedupesofasubtilty,whichpromisestosupplyeverydefectofourknowledge,and,byfillingupafewblanksinthestoryofnature,pretendstoconductourapprehensionnearertothesourceofexistence。Onthecreditofafewobservations,weareapttopresume,thatthesecretmaysoonbelaidopen,andthatwhatistermedwisdominnature,maybereferredtotheoperationofphysicalpowers。Weforgetthatphysicalpowers,employedinsuccession,andcombinedtoasalutarypurpose,constitutethoseveryproofsofdesignfromwhichweinfertheexistenceofGod;andthatthistruthbeingonceadmitted,wearenolongertosearchforthesourceofexistence;wecanonlycollectthelawswhichtheauthorofnaturehasestablished;andinourlatestaswellasourearliestdiscoveries,onlycometoperceiveamodeofcreationorprovidencebeforeunknown。
Wespeakofartasdistinguishedfromnature;butartitselfisnaturaltoman。Heisinsomemeasuretheartificerofhisownframe,aswellashisfortune,andisdestined,fromthefirstageofhisbeing,toinventandcontrive。Heappliesthesametalentstoavarietyofpurposes,andactsnearlythesamepartinverydifferentscenes。Hewouldbealwaysimprovingonhissubject,andhecarriesthisintentionwhere-everhemoves,throughthestreetsofthepopulouscity,orthewildsoftheforest。Whileheappearsequallyfittedtoeverycondition,heisuponthisaccountunabletosettleinany。Atonceobstinateandfickle,hecomplainsofinnovations,andisneversatedwithnovelty。Heisperpetuallybusiedinreformations,andiscontinuallyweddedtohiserrors。Ifhedwellinacave,hewouldimproveitintoacottage;ifhehasalreadybuilt,hewouldstillbuildtoagreaterextent。Buthedoesnotproposetomakerapidandhastytransitions;hisstepsareprogressiveandslow;
andhisforce,likethepowerofaspring,silentlypressesoneveryresistance;aneffectissometimesproducedbeforethecauseisperceived;andwithallhistalentforprojects,hisworkisoftenaccomplishedbeforetheplanisdevised。Itappears,perhaps,equallydifficulttoretardortoquickenhispace;iftheprojectorcomplainheistardy,themoralistthinkshimunstable。andwhetherhismotionsberapidorslow,thescenesofhumanaffairsperpetuallychangeinhismanagement:hisemblemisapassingstream,notastagnatingpool。Wemaydesiretodirecthisloveofimprovementtoitsproperobject,wemaywishforstabilityofconduct;butwemistakehumannature,ifwewishforaterminationoflabour,orasceneofrepose。
Theoccupationsofmen,ineverycondition,bespeaktheirfreedomofchoice,theirvariousopinions,andthemultiplicityofwantsbywhichtheyareurged:buttheyenjoy,orendure,withasensibility,oraphlegm,whicharenearlythesameineverysituation。TheypossesstheshoresoftheCaspian,ortheAtlantic,byadifferenttenure,butwithequalease。Ontheonetheyarefixedtothesoil,andseemtobeformedforsettlement,andtheaccommodationofcities:Thenamestheybestowonanation,andonitsterritory,arethesame。Ontheothertheyaremereanimalsofpassage,preparedtoroamonthefaceoftheearth,andwiththeirherds,insearchofnewpastureandfavourableseasons,tofollowthesuninhisannualcourse。
Manfindshislodgmentalikeinthecave,thecottage,andthepalace;andhissubsistenceequallyinthewoods,inthedairy,orthefarm。Heassumesthedistinctionoftitles,equipage,anddress;hedevisesregularsystemsofgovernment,andacomplicatedbodyoflaws:or,nakedinthewoods,hasnobadgeofsuperioritybutthestrengthofhislimbsandthesagacityofhismind;noruleofconductbutchoice;notiewithhisfellow-creaturesbutaffection,theloveofcompany,andthedesireofsafety。Capableofagreatvarietyofarts,yetdependentonnoneinparticularforthepreservationofhisbeing;towhateverlengthhehascarriedhisartifice,thereheseemstoenjoytheconvenienciesthatsuithisnature,andtohavefoundtheconditiontowhichheisdestined。ThetreewhichanAmerican,onthebanksoftheOroonoko,3*haschosentoclimbfortheretreat,andthelodgementofhisfamily,istohimaconvenientdwelling。Thesopha,thevaulteddome,andthecolonade,donotmoreeffectuallycontenttheirnativeinhabitant。
Ifweareaskedtherefore,Wherethestateofnatureistobefound?wemayanswer,Itishere;anditmattersnotwhetherweareunderstoodtospeakintheislandofGreatBritain,attheCapeofGoodHope,ortheStraitsofMagellan。Whilethisactivebeingisinthetrainofemployinghistalents,andofoperatingonthesubjectsaroundhim,allsituationsareequallynatural。
Ifwearetold,Thatvice,atleast,iscontrarytonature;wemayanswer,Itisworse;itisfollyandwretchedness。Butifnatureisonlyopposedtoart,inwhatsituationofthehumanracearethefootstepsofartunknown?Intheconditionofthesavage,aswellasinthatofthecitizen,aremanyproofsofhumaninvention;andineitherisnotanypermanentstation,butamerestagethroughwhichthistravellingbeingisdestinedtopass。Ifthepalacebeunnatural,thecottageissonoless;andthehighestrefinementsofpoliticalandmoralapprehension,arenotmoreartificialintheirkind,thanthefirstoperationsofsentimentandreason。
Ifweadmitthatmanissusceptibleofimprovement,andhasinhimselfaprincipleofprogression,andadesireofperfection,itappearsimpropertosay,thathehasquittedthestateofhisnature,whenhehasbeguntoproceed;orthathefindsastationforwhichhewasnotintended,while,likeotheranimals,heonlyfollowsthedisposition,andemploysthepowersthatnaturehasgiven。
Thelatesteffortsofhumaninventionarebutacontinuationofcertaindeviceswhichwerepractisedintheearliestagesoftheworld,andintherudeststateofmankind。Whatthesavageprojects,orobserves,intheforest,arethestepswhichlednations,moreadvanced,fromthearchitectureofthecottagetothatofthepalace,andconductedthehumanmindfromtheperceptionsofsense,tothegeneralconclusionsofscience。
Acknowledgeddefectsaretomanineveryconditionmatterofdislike。Ignoranceandimbecilityareobjectsofcontempt:
penetrationandconductgiveeminence,andprocureesteem。
Whithershouldhisfeelingsandapprehensionsonthesesubjectsleadhim?Toaprogress,nodoubt,inwhichthesavage,aswellasthephilosopher,isengaged;inwhichtheyhavemadedifferentadvances,butinwhichtheirendsarethesame。TheadmirationCiceroentertainedforliterature,eloquence,andcivilaccomplishments,wasnotmorerealthanthatofaScythianforsuchameasureofsimilarendowmentsashisownapprehensioncouldreach。’WereItoboast,’saysaTartarprince,4*’itwouldbeofthatwisdomIhavereceivedfromGod。Foras,ontheonehand,Iyieldtononeintheconductofwar,inthedispositionofarmies,whetherofhorseoroffoot,andindirectingthemovementsofgreatorsmallbodies;so,ontheother,Ihavemytalentinwriting,inferiorperhapsonlytothosewhoinhabitthegreatcitiesofPersiaorIndia。Ofothernations,unknowntome,Idonotspeak。’
Manmaymistaketheobjectsofhispursuit;hemaymisapplyhisindustry,andmisplacehisimprovements。Ifunderasenseofsuchpossibleerrors,hewouldfindastandardbywhichtojudgeofhisownproceedings,andarriveatthebeststateofhisnature,hecannotfinditperhapsinthepracticeofanyindividual,orofanynationwhatever;noteveninthesenseofthemajority,ortheprevailingopinionofhiskind。Hemustlookforitinthebestconceptionsofhisunderstanding,inthebestmovementsofhisheart;hemustthencediscoverwhatistheperfectionandthehappinessofwhichheiscapable。Hewillfind,onthescrutiny,thattheproperstateofhisnature,takeninthissense,isnotaconditionfromwhichmankindareforeverremoved,butonetowhichtheymaynowattain;notpriortotheexerciseoftheirfaculties,butprocuredbytheirjustapplication。
Ofallthetermsthatweemployintreatingofhumanaffairs,thoseofnaturalandunnaturalaretheleastdeterminateintheirmeaning。Opposedtoaffectation,frowardness,oranyotherdefectofthetemperofcharacter,thenaturalisanepithetofpraise;
butemployedtospecifyaconductwhichproceedsfromthenatureofman,canservetodistinguishnothing:foralltheactionsofmenareequallytheresultoftheirnature。Atmost,thislanguagecanonlyrefertothegeneralandprevailingsenseorpracticeofmankind;andthepurposeofeveryimportantinquiryonthissubjectmaybeservedbytheuseofalanguageequallyfamiliarandmoreprecise。Whatisjust,orunjust?Whatishappy,orwretched,inthemannersofmen?What,intheirvarioussituations,isfavourableoradversetotheiramiablequalities?
arequestionstowhichwemayexpectasatisfactoryanswer:andwhatevermayhavebeentheoriginalstateofourspecies,itisofmoreimportancetoknowtheconditiontowhichweourselvesshouldaspire,thanthatwhichourancestorsmaybesupposedtohaveleft。
SectionII。
OfthePrinciplesofSelf-preservationIfinhumannaturetherearequalitiesbywhichitisdistinguishedfromeveryotherpartoftheanimalcreation,menarethemselvesindifferentclimatesandindifferentagesgreatlydiversified。Sofarasweareabletoaccountforthisdiversityonprinciplestithermoralorphysical,weperformataskofgreatcuriosityorsignalutility。Itappearsnecessary,however,thatweattendtotheuniversalqualitiesofournature,beforeweregarditsvarieties,orattempttoexplaindifferencesconsistingintheunequalpossessionorapplicationofdispositionsandpowersthatareinsomemeasurecommontoallmankind。
Man,liketheotheranimals,hascertaininstinctivepropensities,which,priortotheperceptionofpleasureorpain,andpriortotheexperienceofwhatisperniciousoruseful,leadhimtoperformmanyfunctionsofnaturerelativetohimselfandtohisfellow-creatures。Hehasonesetofdispositionswhichrefertohisanimalpreservation,andtothecontinuanceofhisrace;anotherwhichleadtosociety,andbyinlistinghimonthesideofonetribeorcommunity,frequentlyengagehiminwarandcontentionwiththerestofmankind。Hispowersofdiscernment,orhisintellectualfaculties,which,undertheappellationofreason,aredistinguishedfromtheanalogousendowmentsofotheranimals,refertotheobjectsaroundhim,eitherastheyaresubjectsofmereknowledge,orastheyaresubjectsofapprobationorcensure。Heisformednotonlytoknow,butlikewisetoadmireandtocontemn;andtheseproceedingsofhismindhaveaprincipalreferencetohisowncharacter,andtothatofhisfellow-creatures,asbeingthesubjectsonwhichheischieflyconcernedtodistinguishwhatisrightfromwhatiswrong。Heenjoyshisfelicitylikewiseoncertainfixedanddeterminateconditions;andeitherasanindividualapart,orasamemberofcivilsociety,musttakeaparticularcourseinordertoreaptheadvantagesofhisnature。Heis,withal,inaveryhighdegreesusceptibleofhabits;andcan,byforbearanceorexercise,sofarweaken,confirm,orevendiversifyhistalents,andhisdispositions,astoappear,inagreatmeasure,thearbiterofhisownrankinnature,andtheauthorofallthevarietieswhichareexhibitedintheactualhistoryofhisspecies。Theuniversalcharacteristics,inthemeantime,towhichwehavenowreferred,must,whenwewouldtreatofanypartofthishistory,constitutethefirstsubjectofourattention;
andtheyrequirenotonlytobeenumerated,buttobedistinctlyconsidered。
Thedispositionswhichrefertothepreservationoftheindividual,whiletheycontinuetooperateinthemannerofinstinctivedesires,arenearlythesameinmanthattheyareintheotheranimals:butinhimtheyaresoonerorlatercombinedwithreflectionandforesight;theygiverisetohisapprehensionsonthesubjectofproperty,andmakehimacquaintedwiththatobjectofcarewhichhecallshisinterest。Withouttheinstinctswhichteachthebeaverandthesquirrel,theantandthebee,tomakeuptheirlittlehoardsforwinter,atfirstimprovident,and,wherenoimmediateobjectofpassionisnear,addictedtosloth,hebecomes,inprocessoftime,thegreatstoremasteramonganimals。Hefindsinaprovisionofwealth,whichheisprobablynevertoemploy,anobjectofhisgreatestsolicitude,andtheprincipalidolofhismind。Heapprehendsarelationbetweenhispersonandhisproperty,whichrenderswhathecallshisowninamannerapartofhimself,aconstituentofhisrank,hiscondition,andhischaracter,inwhich,independentofanyrealenjoymenthemaybefortunateorunhappy;and,independentofanypersonalmerit,hemaybeanobjectofconsiderationorneglect;andinwhichhemaybewoundedandinjured,whilehispersonissafe,andeverywantofhisnaturecompletelysupplied。
Intheseapprehensions,whileotherpassionsonlyoperateoccasionally,theinterestedfindtheobjectoftheirordinarycares;theirmotivetothepracticeofmechanicandcommercialarts;theirtemptationtotrespassonthelawsofjustice;and,whenextremelycorrupted,thepriceoftheirprostitutions,andthestandardoftheiropinionsonthesubjectofgoodandofevil。Underthisinfluence,theywouldenter,ifnotrestrainedbythelawsofcivilsociety,onasceneofviolenceormeanness,whichwouldexhibitourspecies,byturns,underanaspectmoreterribleandodious,ormorevileandcontemptible,thanthatofanyanimalwhichinheritstheearth。
Althoughtheconsiderationofinterestisfoundedontheexperienceofanimalwantsanddesires,itsobjectisnottogratifyanyparticularappetite,buttosecurethemeansofgratifyingall;anditimposesfrequentlyarestraintontheverydesiresfromwhichitarose,morepowerfulandmoreseverethanthoseofreligionorduty。Itarisesfromtheprinciplesofself-preservationinthehumanframe;butisacorruption,oratleastapartialresult,ofthoseprinciples,andisuponmanyaccountsveryimproperlytermedself-love。
Loveisanaffectionwhichcarriestheattentionofthemindbeyonditself,andhasaquality,whichwecalltenderness,thatnevercanaccompanytheconsiderationsofinterest。Thisaffectionbeingacomplacencyandacontinuedsatisfactioninitsobject,independentofanyexternalevent,ithas,inthemidstofdisappointmentandsorrow,pleasuresandtriumphsunknowntothosewhOactwithoutanyregardtotheirfellow-creatures;andineverychangeofcondition,itcontinuesentirelydistinctfromthesentimentswhichwefeelonthesubjectofpersonalsuccessoradversity。Butasthecareamanentertainsforhisowninterest,andtheattentionhisaffectionmakeshimpaytothatofanother,mayhavesimilareffects,theoneonhisownfortune,theotheronthatofhisfriend,weconfoundtheprinciplesfromwhichheacts;wesupposethattheyarethesameinkind,onlyreferredtodifferentobjects;andwenotonlymisapplythenameoflove,inconjunctionwithself,but,inamannertendingtodegradeournature,welimittheaimofthissupposedselfishaffectiontothesecuringoraccumulatingtheconstituentsofinterest,orthemeansofmereanimallife。
Itissomewhatremarkable,thatnotwithstandingmenvaluethemselvessomuchonqualitiesofthemind,onparts,learningandwit,oncourage,generosity,andhonour,thosemenarestillsupposedtobeinthehighestdegreeselfishorattentivetothemselves,whoaremostcarefulofanimallife,andwhoareleastmindfulofrenderingthatlifeanobjectworthyofcare。Itwillbedifficult,however,totellwhyagoodunderstanding,aresoluteandgenerousmind,shouldnot,byeverymaninhissenses,bereckonedasmuchpartsofhimself,aseitherhisstomachorhispalate,andmuchmorethanhisestateorhisdress。Theepicure,whoconsultshisphysician,howhemayrestorehisrelishforfood,andbycreatinganappetite,mayincreasethemeansofenjoyment,mightatleastwithanequalregardtohimself,consulthowhemightstrengthenhisaffectiontoaparentorachild,tohiscountryortomankind;anditisprobablethatanappetiteofthissortwouldproveasourceofenjoymentnotlessthantheformer。
Byoursupposedselfishmaxims,notwithstanding,wegenerallyexcludefromamongtheobjectsofourpersonalcares,manyofthehappierandmorerespectablequalitiesofhumannature。Weconsideraffectionandcourageasmerefollies,thatleadustoneglectorexposeourselves;wemakewisdomconsistinaregardtoourinterest;andwithoutexplainingwhatinterestmeans,wewouldhaveitunderstoodastheonlyreasonablemotiveofactionwithmankind。Thereisevenasystemofphilosophyfoundedupontenetsofthissort,andsuchisouropinionofwhatmenarelikelytodouponselfishprinciples,thatwethinkitmusthaveatendencyverydangeroustovirtue。Buttheerrorsofthissystemdonotconsistsomuchingeneralprinciples,asintheirparticularapplications;notsomuchinteachingmentoregardthemselves,asinleadingthemtoforgetthattheirhappiestaffections,theircandour,andtheirindependenceofmind,areinrealitypartsofthemselves。Andtheadversariesofthissupposedselfishphilosophy,whereitmakesself-lovetherulingpassionwithmankind,havehadreasontofindfault,notsomuchwithitsgeneralrepresentationsofhumannature,aswiththeobtrusionofamereinnovationinlanguageforadiscoveryinscience。
Whenthevulgarspeakoftheirdifferentmotives,theyaresatisfiedwithordinarynames,whichrefertoknownandobviousdistinctions。Ofthiskindarethetermsbenevolenceandselfishness,bywhichtheyexpresstheirdesireofthewelfareofothers,orthecareoftheirown。Thespeculativearenotalwayssatisfiedwiththisproceeding;theywouldanalyze,aswellasenumeratetheprinciplesofnature;andthechanceis,that,merelytogaintheappearanceofsomethingnew,withoutanyprospectofrealadvantage,theywilldisturbtheorderofvulgarapprehension。Inthecasebeforeus,theyhaveactuallyfound,thatbenevolenceisnomorethanaspeciesofself-love;andwouldobligeus,ifpossible,tolookoutforanewsetofwords,bywhichwemaydistinguishtheselfishnessoftheparentwhenhetakescareofhischild,fromhisselfishnesswhenheonlytakescareofhimself。Foraccordingtothisphilosophy,asinbothcasesheonlymeanstogratifyadesireofhisown,heisinbothcasesequallyselfish。Thetermbenevolent,inthemeantime,isnotemployedtocharacterisepersonswhohavenodesiresoftheirown,butpersonswhoseowndesirespromptthemtoprocurethewelfareofothers。Thefactis,thatweshouldneedonlyafreshsupplyoflanguage,insteadofthatwhichbythisseemingdiscoveryweshouldhavelost,inordertomakethereasoningsofmenproceedastheyformerlydid。Butitiscertainlyimpossibletoliveandtoactwithmen,withoutemployingdifferentnamestodistinguishthehumanefromthecruel,andthebenevolentfromtheselfish。
Thesetermshavetheirequivalentsineverytongue;theywereinventedbymenofnorefinement,whoonlymeanttoexpresswhattheydistinctlyperceivedorstronglyfelt。Andifamanofspeculationshouldprovethatweareselfishinasenseofhisown,itdoesnotfollowthatwearesointhesenseofthevulgar;or,asordinarymenwouldunderstandhisconclusion,thatwearecondemnedineveryinstancetoactonmotivesofinterest,covetousness,pusillanimity,andcowardice;forsuchisconceivedtobetheordinaryimportofselfishnessinthecharacterofman。
Anaffectionorpassionofanykindissometimessaidtogiveusaninterestinitsobject;andhumanityitselfgivesaninterestinthewelfareofmankind。Thisterminterest,whichcommonlyimplieslittlemorethanourregardtoproperty,issometimesputforutilityingeneral,andthisforhappiness;
insomuchthat,undertheseambiguities,itisnotsurprisingwearestillunabletodetermine,whetherinterestistheonlymotiveofhumanaction,andthestandardbywhichtodistinguishourgoodfromourill。
Somuchissaidinthisplace,notfromanydesiretohaveashareinanycontroversyofthissort,butmerelytoconfinethemeaningoftheterminteresttoitsmostcommonacceptation,andtointimateourintentionofemployingitinexpressingthoseobjectsofcarewhichrefertoourexternalcondition,andthepreservationofouranimalnature。Whentakeninthissense,itwillnotsurelybethoughttocomprehendatonceallthemotivesofhumanconduct。Ifmenbenotallowedtohavedisinterestedbenevolence,theywillnotbedeniedtohavedisinterestedpassionsofanotherkind。Hatred,indignation,andrage,frequentlyurgethemtoactinoppositiontotheirknowninterest,andeventohazardtheirlives,withoutanyhopesofcompensationinanyfuturereturnsofprefermentorprofit。
SectionIII
OftheprinciplesofUnionamongMankindMankindhavealwayswanderedorsettled,agreedorquarrelled,introopsandcompanies。Thecauseoftheirassembling,whateveritbe,istheprincipleoftheirallianceorunion。
Incollectingthematerialsofhistory,weareseldomwillingtoputupwithoursubjectmerelyaswefindit。Wearelothtobeembarrassedwithamultiplicityofparticulars,andapparentinconsistencies。Intheoryweprofesstheinvestigationofgeneralprinciples;andinordertobringthematterofourinquirieswithinthereachofourcomprehension,aredisposedtoadoptanysystem,Thus,intreatingofhumanaffairs,wewoulddraweveryconsequencefromaprincipleofunion,oraprincipleofdissension。Thestateofnatureisastateofwarorofamity,andmenaremadetounitefromaprincipleofaffection,orfromaprincipleoffear,asismostsuitabletothesystemofdifferentwriters。Thehistoryofourspeciesindeedabundantlyshews,thattheyaretooneanothermutualobjectsbothoffearandoflove;andtheywhoprovethemtohavebeenoriginallyeitherinastateofalliance,orofwar,haveargumentsinstoretomaintaintheirassertions。Ourattachmenttoonedivision,ortoonesect,seemsoftentoderivemuchofitsforcefromananimosityconceivedtoanoppositeone:andthisanimosityinitsturn,asoftenarisesfromazealinbehalfofthesideweespouse,andfromadesiretovindicatetherightsofourparty。
’Manisborninsociety,’saysMontesquieu,’andthereheremains。’Thecharmsthatdetainhimareknowntobemanifold。Wemayreckontheparentalaffection,which,insteadofdesertingtheadult,asamongthebrutes,embracesmoreclose,asitbecomesmixedwithesteem,andthememoryofitsearlyeffects;
togetherwithapropensitycommontomanandotheranimals,tomixwiththeherd,and,withoutreflection,tofollowthecroudofhisspecies。Whatthispropensitywasinthefirstmomentofitsoperation,weknownot;butwithmenaccustomedtocompany,itsenjoymentsanddisappointmentsarereckonedamongtheprincipalpleasuresorpainsofhumanlife。Sadnessandmelancholyareconnectedwithsolitude;gladnessandpleasurewiththeconcourseofmen。ThetrackofaLaplanderonthesnowyshore,givesjoytothelonelymariner;andthemutesignsofcordialityandkindnesswhicharemadetohim,awakenthememoryofpleasureswhichhefeltinsociety。Infine,saysthewriterofavoyagetothenorth,afterdescribingamutesceneofthissort,’Wewereextremelypleasedtoconversewithmen,sinceinthirteenmonthswehadseennohumancreature。’5*Butweneednoremoteobservationtoconfirmthisposition:Thewailingsoftheinfant,andthelanguorsoftheadult,whenalone;thelivelyjoysoftheone,andthechearfulnessoftheother,uponthereturnofcompany,areasufficientproofofitssolidfoundationsintheframeofournature。
Inaccountingforactionsweoftenforgetthatweourselveshaveacted;andinsteadofthesentimentswhichstimulatethemindinthepresenceofitsobject,weassignasthemotivesofconductwithmen,thoseconsiderationswhichoccurinthehoursofretirementandcoldreflection。Inthismoodfrequentlywecanfindnothingimportant,besidesthedeliberateprospectsofinterest;andagreatwork,likethatofformingsociety,mustinourapprehensionarisefromdeepreflections,andbecarriedonwithaviewtotheadvantageswhichmankindderivefromcommerceandmutualsupport。Butneitherapropensitytomixwiththeherd,northesenseofadvantagesenjoyedinthatcondition,comprehendalltheprinciplesbywhichmenareunitedtogether。
Thosebandsareevenofafeebletexture,whencomparedtotheresoluteardourwithwhichamanadherestohisfriend,ortohistribe,aftertheyhaveforsometimerunthecareeroffortunetogether。Mutualdiscoveriesofgenerosity,jointtrialsoffortitude,redoubletheardoursoffriendship,andkindleaflameinthehumanbreast,whichtheconsiderationsofpersonalinterestorsafetycannotsuppress。Themostlivelytransportsofjoyareseen,andtheloudestshrieksofdespairareheard,whentheobjectsofatenderaffectionarebeheldinastateoftriumphorofsuffering。AnIndianrecoveredhisfriendunexpectedlyontheislandofJuanFernandes:Heprostratedhimselfontheground,athisfeet:’Westoodgazinginsilence,’
saysDampier,’atthistenderscene。’IfwewouldknowwhatisthereligionofawildAmerican,whatitisinhisheartthatmostresemblesdevotion:itisnothisfearofthesorcerer,norhishopeofprotectionfromthespiritsoftheairorthewood;
itistheardentaffectionwithwhichheselectsandembraceshisfriend;withwhichheclingstohissideineveryseasonofperil;andwithwhichheinvokeshisspiritfromadistance,whendangerssurprisehimalone。6*Whateverproofswemayhaveofthesocialdispositionofmaninfamiliarandcontiguousscenes,itispossiblyofimportance,todrawourobservationsfromtheexamplesofmenwholiveinthesimplestcondition,andwhohavenotlearnedtoaffectwhattheydonotactuallyfeel。
Mereacquaintanceandhabitudenourishaffection,andtheexperienceofsocietybringseverypassionofthehumanminduponitsside。Itstriumphsandprosperities,itscalamitiesanddistresses,bringavarietyandaforceofemotion,whichcanonlyhaveplaceinthecompanyofourfellow-creatures。Itisherethatamanismadetoforgethisweakness,hiscaresofsafety,andhissubsistence;andtoactfromthosepassionswhichmakehimdiscoverhisforce。Itisherehefindsthathisarrowsflyswifterthantheeagle,andhisweaponswounddeeperthanthepawofthelion,orthetoothoftheboar。Itisnotalonehissenseofasupportwhichisnear,northeloveofdistinctionintheopinionofhistribe,thatinspirehiscourage,orswellhisheartwithaconfidencethatexceedswhathisnaturalforceshouldbestow。Vehementpassionsofanimosityorattachmentarethefirstexertionsofvigourinhisbreast;undertheirinfluence,everyconsideration,butthatofhisobject,isforgotten;dangersanddifficultiesonlyexcitehimthemore。
Thatconditionissurelyfavourabletothenatureofanybeing,inwhichhisforceisincreased;andifcouragebethegiftofsocietytoman,wehavereasontoconsiderhisunionwithhisspeciesasthenoblestpartofhisfortune。Fromthissourcearederived,notonlytheforce,buttheveryexistenceofhishappiestemotions;notonlythebetterpart,butalmostthewholeofhisrationalcharacter。Sendhimtothedesertalone,heisaplanttornfromitsroots:theformindeedmayremain,buteveryfacultydroopsandwithers;thehumanpersonageandthehumancharacterceasetoexist。
Menaresofarfromvaluingsocietyonaccountofitsmereexternalconveniencies,thattheyarecommonlymostattachedwherethoseconvenienciesareleastfrequent;andaretheremostfaithful,wherethetributeoftheirallegianceispaidinblood。
Affectionoperateswiththegreatestforce,whereitmeetswiththegreatestdifficulties:Inthebreastoftheparent,itismostsolicitousamidstthedangersanddistressesofthechild:
Inthebreastofaman,itsflameredoubleswherethewrongsorsufferingsofhisfriend,orhiscountry,requirehisaid。Itis,inshort,fromthisprinciplealonethatwecanaccountfortheobstinateattachmentofasavagetohisunsettledanddefencelesstribe,whentemptationsonthesideofeaseandofsafetymightinducehimtoflyfromfamineanddanger,toastationmoreaffluent,andmoresecure。HencethesanguineaffectionwhicheveryGreekboretohiscountry,andhencethedevotedpatriotismofanearlyRoman。Letthoseexamplesbecomparedwiththespiritwhichreignsinacommercialstate,wheremenmaybesupposedtohaveexperienced,initsfullextent,theinterestwhichindividualshaveinthepreservationoftheircountry。Itishereindeed,ifever,thatmanissometimesfoundadetachedandasolitarybeing:hehasfoundanobjectwhichsetshimincompetitionwithhisfellow-creatures,andhedealswiththemashedoeswithhiscattleandhissoil,forthesakeoftheprofitstheybring。Themightyenginewhichwesupposetohaveformedsociety,onlytendstosetitsmembersatvariance,ortocontinuetheirintercourseafterthebandsofaffectionarebroken。
SectionIV
OftheprinciplesofWarandDissension’Therearesomecircumstancesinthelotofmankind,’saysSocrates,’thatshewthemtobedestinedtofriendshipandamity。
Thoseare,theirmutualneedofoneanother;theirmutualcompassion;theirsenseofmutualbenefits;andthepleasuresarisingincompany。Thereareothercircumstanceswhichpromptthemtowaranddissension;theadmirationandthedesirewhichtheyentertainforthesamesubjects;theiroppositepretensions;
andtheprovocationswhichtheymutuallyofferinthecourseoftheircompetitions。’
Whenweendeavourtoapplythemaximsofnaturaljusticetothesolutionofdifficultquestions,wefindthatsomecasesmaybesupposed,andactuallyhappen,whereoppositionstakeplace;
andarelawful,priortoanyprovocation,oractofinjustice;
thatwherethesafetyandpreservationofnumbersaremutuallyinconsistent,onepartymayemployhisrightofdefence,beforetheotherhasbegunanattack。Andwhenwejoinwithsuchexamples,theinstancesofmistake,andmisunderstanding,towhichmankindareexposed,wemaybesatisfiedthatwardoesnotalwaysproceedfromanintentiontoinjure;andthateventhebestqualitiesofmen,theircandour,aswellastheirresolution,mayoperateinthemidstoftheirquarrels。
Thereisstillmoretobeobservedonthissubject。Mankindnotonlyfindintheirconditionthesourcesofvarianceanddissension;theyappeartohaveintheirmindstheseedsofanimosity,andtoembracetheoccasionsofmutualopposition,withalacrityandpleasure。Inthemostpacificsituationtherearefewwhohavenottheirenemies,aswellastheirfriends;andwhoarenotpleasedwithopposingtheproceedingsofone,asmuchaswithfavouringthedesignsofanother。Smallandsimpletribes,whointheirdomesticsocietyhavethefirmestunion,areintheirstateofoppositionasseparatenations,frequentlyanimatedwiththemostimplacablehatred。AmongthecitizensofRome,intheearlyagesofthatrepublic,thenameofaforeigner,andthatofanenemy,werethesame。AmongtheGreeks,thenameofBarbarian,underwhichthatpeoplecomprehendedeverynationthatwasofarace,andspokealanguage,differentfromtheirown,becameatermofindiscriminatecontemptandaversion。
Evenwherenoparticularclaimtosuperiorityisformed,therepugnancetounion,thefrequentwars,orrathertheperpetualhostilities,whichtakeplaceamongrudenationsandseparateclans,discoverhowmuchourspeciesisdisposedtoopposition,aswellastoconcert。
Latediscoverieshavebroughtustotheknowledgeofalmosteverysituationinwhichmankindareplaced。Wehavefoundthemspreadoverlargeandextensivecontinents,wherecommunicationsareopen,andwherenationalconfederacymightbeeasilyformed。
Wehavefoundtheminnarrowerdistricts,circumscribedbymountains,greatrivers,andarmsofthesea。Theyhavebeenfoundinsmallandremoteislands,wheretheinhabitantsmightbeeasilyassembled,andderiveanadvantagefromtheirunion。Butinallthosesituations,alike,theywerebrokeintocantons,andaffectedadistinctionofnameandcommunity。Thetitlesoffellow-citizenandcountryman,unopposedtothoseofalienandforeigner,towhichtheyrefer,wouldfallintodisuse,andlosetheirmeaning。Weloveindividualsonaccountofpersonalqualities;butweloveourcountry,asitisapartyinthedivisionsofmankind;andourzealforitsinterest,isapredilectioninbehalfofthesidewemaintain。
Inthepromiscuousconcourseofmen,itissufficientthatwehaveanopportunityofselectingourcompany。Weturnawayfromthosewhodonotengageus,andwefixourresortwherethesocietyismoretoourmind。Wearefondofdistinctions;weplaceourselvesinopposition,andquarrelunderthedenominationsoffactionandparty,withoutanymaterialsubjectofcontroversy。Aversion,likeaffection,isfosteredbyacontinueddirectiontoitsparticularobject。Separationandestrangement,aswellasopposition,widenabreachwhichdidnotoweitsbeginningstoanyoffence。Anditwouldseem,thattillwehavereducedmankindtothestateofafamily,orfoundsomeexternalconsiderationtomaintaintheirconnectioningreaternumbers,theywillbeforeverseparatedintobands,andformapluralityofnations。
Thesenseofacommondanger,andtheassaultsofanenemy,havebeenfrequentlyusefultonations,byunitingtheirmembersmorefirmlytogether,andbypreventingthesecessionsandactualseparationsinwhichtheircivildiscordmightotherwiseterminate。Andthismotivetounionwhichisofferedfromabroad,maybenecessary,notonlyinthecaseoflargeandextensivenations,wherecoalitionsareweakenedbydistance,andthedistinctionofprovincialnames;buteveninthenarrowsocietyofthesmalleststates。Romeitselfwasfoundedbyasmallparty,whichtookitsflightfromAlba;hercitizenswereoftenindangerofseparating;andifthevillagesandcantonsoftheVolscihadbeenfurtherremovedfromthesceneoftheirdissensions,theMonsSacermighthavereceivedanewcolonybeforethemothercountrywasripeforsuchadischarge。Shecontinuedlongtofeelthequarrelsofhernoblesandherpeople;
andthegatesofJanuswerefrequentlyopened,toremindherinhabitantsofthedutiestheyowedtotheircountry。
Ifsocieties,aswellasindividuals,bechargedwiththecareoftheirownpreservation,andifinbothweapprehendaseparationofinterest,whichmaygiverisetojealousiesandcompetitions,wecannotbesurprisedtofindhostilitiesarisefromthissource。Butweretherenoangrypassionsofadifferentsort,theanimositieswhichattendanoppositionofinterest,shouldbearaproportiontothesupposedvalueofthesubject。
’TheHottentotnations,’saysKolben,’trespassononeanotherbytheftsofcattleandofwomen;butsuchinjuriesareseldomcommitted,exceptwithaviewtoexasperatetheirneighbours,andbringthemtoawar。’Suchdepredationsthenarenotthefoundationofawar,buttheeffectsofahostileintentionalreadyconceived。ThenationsofNorthAmerica,whohavenoherdstopreserve,norsettlementstodefend,areyetengagedinalmostperpetualwars,forwhichtheycanassignnoreason,butthepointofhonour,andadesiretocontinuethestruggletheirfathersmaintained。’Theydonotregardthespoilsofanenemy;
andthewarriorwhohasseizedanybooty,easilypartswithittothefirstpersonwhocomesinhisway。7*
ButweneednotcrosstheAtlantictofindproofsofanimosity,andtoobserve,inthecollisionofseparatesocieties,theinfluenceofangrypassions,thatdonotarisefromanoppositionofinterest。Humannaturehasnopartofitscharacter,ofwhichmoreflagrantexamplesaregivenonthissideoftheglobe。Whatisitthatstirsinthebreastsofordinarymenwhentheenemiesoftheircountryarenamed?Whencearetheprejudicesthatsubsistbetweendifferentprovinces,cantons,andvillages,ofthesameempireandterritory?WhatisitthatexcitesonehalfofthenationsofEuropeagainsttheother?Thestatesmanmayexplainhisconductonmotivesofnationaljealousyandcaution,butthepeoplehavedislikesandantipathies,forwhichtheycannotaccount。Theirmutualreproachesofperfidyandinjustice,liketheHottentotdepredations,arebutsymptomsofananimosity,andthelanguageofahostiledisposition,alreadyconceived。Thechargeofcowardiceandpusillanimity,qualitieswhichtheinterestedandcautiousenemyshould,ofallothers,likebesttofindinhisrival,isurgedwithaversion,andmadethegroundofdislike。HearthepeasantsondifferentsidesoftheAlps,andthePyrenees,theRhine,ortheBritishchannel,giveventtotheirprejudicesandnationalpassions;itisamongthemthatwefindthematerialsofwaranddissensionlaidwithoutthedirectionofgovernment,andsparksreadytokindleintoaflame,whichthestatesmanisfrequentlydisposedtoextinguish。Thefirewillnotalwayscatchwherehisreasonsofstatewoulddirect,norstopwheretheconcurrenceofinteresthasproducedanalliance。’MyFather,’saidaSpanishpeasant,’wouldrisefromhisgrave,ifhecouldforeseeawarwithFrance。,Whatinteresthadhe,orthebonesofhisfather,inthequarrelsofprinces?
Theseobservationsseemtoarraignourspecies,andtogiveanunfavourablepictureofmankind;andyettheparticularswehavementionedareconsistentwiththemostamiablequalitiesofournature,andoftenfurnishascenefortheexerciseofourgreatestabilities。Theyaresentimentsofgenerosityandself-denialthatanimatethewarriorindefenceofhiscountry;
andtheyaredispositionsmostfavourabletomankind,thatbecometheprinciplesofapparenthostilitytomen。Everyanimalismadetodelightintheexerciseofhisnaturaltalentsandforces:Thelionandthetygersportwiththepaw;thehorsedelightstocommithismanetothewind,andforgetshispasturetotryhisspeedinthefield;thebullevenbeforehisbrowisarmed,andthelambwhileyetanemblemofinnocence,haveadispositiontostrikewiththeforehead,andanticipate,inplay,theconflictstheyaredoomedtosustain。Mantooisdisposedtoopposition,andtoemploytheforcesofhisnatureagainstanequalantagonist;helovestobringhisreason,hiseloquence,hiscourage,evenhisbodilystrength,totheproof。Hissportsarefrequentlyanimageofwar;sweatandbloodarefreelyexpendedinplay;,andfracturesordeathareoftenmadetoterminatethepastimesofidlenessandfestivity。Hewasnotmadetoliveforever,andevenhisloveofamusementhasopenedapaththatleadstothegrave。
Withouttherivalshipofnations,andthepracticeofwar,civilsocietyitselfcouldscarcelyhavefoundanobject,oraform。Mankindmighthavetradedwithoutanyformalconvention,buttheycannotbesafewithoutanationalconcert。Thenecessityofapublicdefence,hasgivenrisetomanydepartmentsofstate,andtheintellectualtalentsofmenhavefoundtheirbusiestsceneinwieldingtheirnationalforces。Tooverawe,orintimidate,or,whenwecannotpersuadewithreason,toresistwithfortitude,aretheoccupationswhichgiveitsmostanimatingexercise,anditsgreatesttriumphs,toavigorousmind;andhewhohasneverstruggledwithhisfellow-creatures,isastrangertohalfthesentimentsofmankind。
Thequarrelsofindividuals,indeed,arefrequentlytheoperationsofunhappyanddetestablepassions;malice,hatred,andrage。Ifsuchpassionsalonepossessthebreast,thesceneofdissensionbecomesanobjectofhorror;butacommonoppositionmaintainedbynumbers,isalwaysallayedbypassionsofanothersort。Sentimentsofaffectionandfriendshipmixwithanimosity;
theactiveandstrenuousbecometheguardiansoftheirsociety;
andviolenceitselfis,intheircase,anexertionofgenerosityaswellasofcourage。Weapplaud,asproceedingfromanationalorpartyspirit,whatwecouldnotendureastheeffectofaprivatedislike;andamidstthecompetitionsofrivalstates,thinkwehavefound,forthepatriotandthewarrior,inthepracticeofviolenceandstratagem,themostillustriouscareerofhumanvirtue。Evenpersonaloppositionheredoesnotdivideourjudgementonthemeritsofmen。TherivalnamesofAgesilausandEpaminondas,ofScipioandHannibal,arerepeatedwithequalpraise;andwaritself,whichinoneviewappearssofatal,inanotheristheexerciseofaliberalspirit;andintheveryeffectswhichweregret,isbutonedistempermorebywhichtheauthorofnaturehasappointedourexitfromhumanlife。
Thesereflectionsmayopenourviewintothestateofmankind;buttheytendtoreconcileustotheconductofProvidence,ratherthantomakeuschangeourown:where,fromaregardtothewelfareofourfellow-creatures,weendeavourtopacifytheiranimosities,andunitethembythetiesofaffection。Inthepursuitofthisamiableintention,wemayhope,insomeinstances,todisarmtheangrypassionsofjealousyandenvy。wemayhopetoinstilintothebreastsofprivatemensentimentsofcandourtowardtheirfellow-creatures,andadispositiontohumanityandjustice。Butitisvaintoexpectthatwecangivetothemultitudeofapeopleasenseofunionamongthemselves,withoutadmittinghostilitytothosewhoopposethem。Couldweatonce,inthecaseofanynation,extinguishtheemulationwhichisexcitedfromabroad,weshouldprobablybreakorweakenthebandsofsocietyathome,andclosethebusiestscenesofnationaloccupationsandvirtues。
SectionV
OfIntellectualPowersManyattemptshavebeenmadetoanalyzethedispositionswhichwehavenowenumerated;butonepurposeofscience,perhapsthemostimportant,isserved,whentheexistenceofadispositionisestablished。Wearemoreconcernedinitsreality,andinitsconsequences,thanweareinitsorigin,ormannerofformation。
Thesameobservationmaybeappliedtotheotherpowersandfacultiesofournature。Theirexistenceandusearetheprincipalobjectsofourstudy。Thinkingandreasoning,wesay,aretheoperationsofsomefaculty;butinwhatmannerthefacultiesofthoughtorreasonremain,whentheyarenotexerted,orbywhatdifferenceintheframetheyareunequalindifferentpersons,arequestionswhichwecannotresolve。Theiroperationsalonediscoverthem:whenunapplied,theyliehidevenfromthepersontowhomtheypertain;andtheiractionissomuchapartoftheirnature,thatthefacultyitself,inmanycases,isscarcelytobedistinguishedfromahabitacquiredinitsfrequentexertion。
Personswhoareoccupiedwithdifferentsubjects,whoactindifferentscenes,generallyappeartohavedifferenttalents,oratleasttohavethesamefacultiesvariouslyformed,andsuitedtodifferentpurposes。Thepeculiargeniusofnations,aswellasofindividuals,mayinthismannerarisefromthestateoftheirfortunes。Anditisproperthatweendeavourtofindsomerule,bywhichtojudgeofwhatisadmirableinthecapacitiesofmen,orfortunateintheapplicationoftheirfaculties,beforeweventuretopassajudgmentonthisbranchoftheirmerits,orpretendtomeasurethedegreeofrespecttheymayclaimbytheirdifferentattainments。
Toreceivetheinformationsofsense,isperhapstheearliestfunctionofananimalcombinedwithanintellectualnature;andonegreataccomplishmentofthelivingagentconsistsintheforceandsensibilityofhisanimalorgans。Thepleasuresorpainstowhichheisexposedfromthisquarter,constitutetohimanimportantdifferencebetweentheobjectswhicharethusbroughttohisknowledge;anditconcernshimtodistinguishwell,beforehecommitshimselftothedirectionofappetite。Hemustscrutinizetheobjectsofonesensebytheperceptionsofanother;examinewiththeeye,beforeheventurestotouch;andemployeverymeansofobservation,beforehegratifiestheappetitesofthirstandofhunger。Adiscernmentacquiredbyexperience,becomesafacultyofhismind;andtheinferencesofthoughtaresometimesnottobedistinguishedfromtheperceptionsofsense。
Theobjectsaroundus,besidetheirseparateappearances,havetheirrelationstooneanother。Theysuggest,whencompared,whatwouldnotoccurwhentheyareconsideredapart;theyhavetheireffects,andmutualinfluences;theyexhibit,inlikecircumstances,similaroperations,anduniformconsequences。Whenwehavefoundandexpressedthepointsinwhichtheuniformityoftheiroperationsconsists,wehaveascertainedaphysicallaw。
Manysuchlaws,andeventhemostimportant,areknowntothevulgar,andoccuruponthesmallestdegreesofreJection:butothersarehidunderaseemingconfusion,whichordinarytalentscannotremove;andarethereforetheobjectsofstudy,longobservation,andsuperiorcapacity。Thefacultiesofpenetrationandjudgement,are,bymenofbusiness,aswellasofscience,employedtounravelintricaciesofthissort;andthedegreeofsagacitywithwhicheitherisendowed,istobemeasuredbythesuccesswithwhichtheyareabletofindgeneralrules,applicabletoavarietyofcasesthatseemedtohavenothingincommon,andtodiscoverimportantdistinctionsbetweensubjectswhichthevulgarareapttoconfound。
Tocollectamultiplicityofparticularsundergeneralheads,andtoreferavarietyofoperationstotheircommonprinciple,istheobjectofscience。Todothesamething,atleastwithintherangeofhisactiveengagements,pertainstothemanofpleasure,orbusiness:anditwouldseem,thatthestudiousandtheactivearesofaremployedinthesametask,fromobservationandexperience,tofindthegeneralviewsunderwhichtheirobjectsmaybeconsidered,andtheruleswhichmaybeusefullyappliedinthedetailoftheirconduct。Theydonotalwaysapplytheirtalentstodifferentsubjects;andtheyseemtobedistinguishedchieflybytheunequalreachandvarietyoftheirremarks,orbytheintentionswhichtheyseverallyhaveincollectingthem。
Whilstmencontinuetoactfromappetitesandpassions,leadingtotheattainmentofexternalends,theyseldomquittheviewoftheirobjectsindetail,togofarintheroadofgeneralinquiries。Theymeasuretheextentoftheirownabilities,bythepromptitudewithwhichtheyapprehendwhatisimportantineverysubject,andthefacilitywithwhichtheyextricatethemselvesoneverytryingoccasion。Andthese,itmustbeconfessed,toabeingwhoisdestinedtoactinthemidstofdifficulties,arethepropertestofcapacityandforce。Theparadeofwords,andgeneralreasonings,whichsometimescarryanappearanceofsomuchlearningandknowledge,areoflittleavailintheconductoflife。Thetalentsfromwhichtheyproceed,terminateinmereostentation,andareseldomconnectedwiththatsuperiordiscernment,withwhichtheactiveapplyintimesofperplexity;
muchlessthatintrepidityandforceofmindwhicharerequiredinpassingthroughdifficultscenes。
Theabilitiesofactivemen,however,haveavarietycorrespondingtothatofthesubjectsonwhichtheyareoccupied。
Asagacityappliedtoexternalandinanimatenature,formsonespeciesofcapacity;thatwhichisturnedtosocietyandhumanaffairs,another。Reputationforpartsinanysceneisequivocal,tillweknowbywhatkindofexertionthatreputationisgained。
Thattheyunderstandwellthesubjectstowhichtheyapply,isallthatcanbesaid,incommendingmenofthegreatestabilities:andeverydepartment,everyprofession,wouldhaveitsgreatmen,iftherewerenotachoiceofobjectsfortheunderstanding,andoftalentsforthemind,aswellasofsentimentsfortheheart,andofhabitsfortheactivecharacter。
Themeanestprofessions,indeed,sofarsometimesforgetthemselves,ortherestofmankind,astoarrogate,incommendingwhatisdistinguishedintheirownway,everyepithetthemostrespectableclaimastherightofsuperiorabilities。Everymechanicisagreatmanwiththelearner,andthehumbleadmirer,inhisparticularcalling;andwecan,perhaps,withmoreassurancepronouncewhatitisthatshouldmakeamanhappyandamiable,thanwhatshouldmakehisabilitiesrespected,andhisgeniusadmired。This,uponaviewofthetalentsthemselves,mayperhapsbeimpossible。Theeffect,however,willpointouttheruleandthestandardofourjudgement。Tobeadmiredandrespected,istohaveanascendantamongmen。Thetalentswhichmostdirectlyprocurethatascendant,arethosewhichoperateonmankind,penetratetheirviews,preventtheirwishes,orfrustratetheirdesigns。Thesuperiorcapacityleadswithasuperiorenergy,whereeveryindividualwouldgo,andshewsthehesitatingandtheirresoluteaclearpassagetotheattainmentoftheirends。
Thisdescriptiondoesnotpertaintoanyparticularcraftorprofession;orperhapsitimpliesakindofability,whichtheseparateapplicationofmentoparticularcallings,onlytendstosuppressortoweaken。Whereshallwefindthetalentswhicharefittoactwithmeninacollectivebody,ifwebreakthatbodyintoparts,andconfinetheobservationofeachtoaseparatetrack?
Toactintheviewofhisfellow-creatures,toproducehismindinpublic,togiveitalltheexerciseofsentimentandthought,whichpertaintomanasamemberofsociety,asafriend,oranenemy,seemstobetheprincipalcallingandoccupationofhisnature。Ifhemustlabour,thathemaysubsist,hecansubsistfornobetterpurposethanthegoodofmankind;
norcanhehavebettertalentsthanthosewhichqualifyhimtoactwithmen。Here,indeed,theunderstandingappearstoborrowverymuchfromthepassions;andthereisafelicityofconductinhumanaffairs,inwhichitisdifficulttodistinguishthepromptitudeoftheheadfromtheardourandsensibilityoftheheart。Wherebothareunited,theyconstitutethatsuperiorityofmind,thefrequencyofwhichamongmen,inparticularagesandnations,muchmorethantheprogresstheyhavemadeinspeculation,orinthepracticeofmechanicandliberalarts,shoulddeterminetherateoftheirgenius,andassignthepalmofdistinctionandhonour。
Whennationssucceedoneanotherinthecareerofdiscoveriesandinquiries,thelastisalwaysthemostknowing。Systemsofsciencearegraduallyformed。Theglobeitselfistraversedbydegrees,andthehistoryofeveryage,whenpast,isanaccessionofknowledgetothosewhosucceed。TheRomansweremoreknowingthantheGreeks;andeveryscholarofmodernEuropeis,inthissense,morelearnedthanthemostaccomplishedpersonthateverboreeitherofthosecelebratednames。Butisheonthataccounttheirsuperior?
Menaretobeestimated,notfromwhattheyknow,butfromwhattheyareabletoperform;fromtheirskillinadaptingmaterialstotheseveralpurposesoflife;fromtheirvigourandconductinpursuingtheobjectsofpolicy,andinfindingtheexpedientsofwarandnationaldefence。Eveninliterature,theyaretobeestimatedfromtheworksoftheirgenius,notfromtheextentoftheirknowledge。ThesceneofmereobservationwasextremelylimitedinaGrecianrepublic;andthebustleofanactivelifeappearedinconsistentwithstudy。buttherethehumanmind,notwithstanding,collecteditsgreatestabilities,andreceiveditsbestinformations,inthemidstofsweatandofdust。
ItispeculiartomodernEurope,torestsomuchofthehumancharacteronwhatmaybelearnedinretirement,andfromtheinformationofbooks。Ajustadmirationofancientliterature,anopinionthathumansentiment,andhumanreason,withoutthisaid,weretohavevanishedfromthesocietiesofmen,haveledusintotheshade,whereweendeavourtoderivefromimaginationandthought,whatisinrealitymatterofexperienceandsentiment:
andweendeavour,throughthegrammarofdeadlanguages,andthechannelofcommentators,toarriveatthebeautiesofthoughtandelocution,whichsprangfromtheanimatedspiritofsociety,andweretakenfromthelivingimpressionsofanactivelife。Ourattainmentsarefrequentlylimitedtotheelementsofeveryscience,andseldomreachtothatenlargementofabilityandpowerwhichusefulknowledgeshouldgive。Likemathematicians,whostudytheElementsofEuclid,butneverthinkofmensuration,wereadofsocieties,butdonotproposetoactwithmen:werepeatthelanguageofpolitics,butfeelnotthespiritofnations:weattendtotheformalitiesofamilitarydiscipline,butknownothowtoemploynumbersofmentoobtainanypurposebystratagemorforce。
Butforwhatend,itmaysaid,pointoutamisfortunethatcannotberemedied?Ifnationalaffairscalledforexertion,thegeniusofmenwouldawake;butintherecessofbetteremployment,thetimewhichisbestowedonstudy,ifevenattendedwithnootheradvantage,servestooccupywithinnocencethehoursofleisure,andsetboundstothepursuitofruinousandfrivolousamusements。Fromnobetterreasonthanthis,weemploysomanyofourearlyyears,undertherod,toacquirewhatitisnotexpectedweshouldretainbeyondthethresholdoftheschool;
andwhilstwecarrythesamefrivolouscharacterinourstudiesthatwedoinouramusements,thehumanmindcouldnotsuffermorefromacontemptofletters,thanitdoesfromthefalseimportancewhichisgiventoliterature,asabusinessforlife,notasahelptoourconduct,andthemeansofformingacharacterthatmaybehappyinitself,andusefultomankind。
Ifthattimewhichispassedinrelaxingthepowersofthemind,andinwith-holdingeveryobjectbutwhattendstoweakenandtocorrupt,wereemployedinfortifyingthosepowers,andinteachingthemindtorecogniseitsobjects,anditsstrength,weshouldnot,attheyearsofmaturity,besomuchatalossforoccupation;nor,inattendingthechancesofagaming-table,misemployourtalents,orwastethefirewhichremainsinthebreast。They,atleast,whobytheirstationshaveashareinthegovernmentoftheircountry,mightbelievethemselvescapableofbusiness;andwhilethestatehaditsarmiesandcouncils,mightfindobjectsenoughtoamuse,withoutthrowingapersonalfortuneintohazard,merelytocuretheyawningsofalistlessandinsignificantlife。Itisimpossibleforevertomaintainthetoneofspeculation;itisimpossiblenotsometimestofeelthatweliveamongmen。