thoughts on man-第39章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
n caste； should consign themselves to the flames with the dead bodies of their husbands。 The story of Zopyrus cutting off his nose and ears； and of Curtius leaping into the gulph； may be fictitious： but it was the consciousness of those by whom these narratives were written that they drew their materials from the mighty store…house of the heart of man； that prompted them to record them。 The institutions of clientship and clans； so extensively diffused in different ages of the world； rests upon this characteristic of our nature； that multitudes of men may be trained and educated so； as to hold their existence at no price； when the life of the individual they were taught unlimitedly to reverence might be preserved； or might be defended at the risk of their destruction。
The principal circumstance that divides our feelings for others from our feelings for ourselves； and that gives； to satirical observers； and superficial thinkers； an air of exclusive selfishness to the human mind； lies in this； that we can fly from others； but cannot fly from ourselves。 While I am sitting by the bed…side of the sufferer； while I am listening to the tale of his woes； there is comparatively but a slight line of demarcation； whether they are his sorrows or my own。 My sympathy is vehemently excited towards him； and I feel his twinges and anguish in a most painful degree。 But I can quit his apartment and the house in which he dwells； can go out in the fields； and feel the fresh air of heaven fanning my hair； and playing upon my cheeks。 This is at first but a very imperfect relief。 His image follows me； I cannot forget what I have heard and seen； I even reproach myself for the mitigation I involuntarily experience。 But man is the creature of his senses。 I am every moment further removed； both in time and place； from the object that distressed me。 There he still lies upon the bed of agony： but the sound of his complaint； and the sight of all that expresses his suffering； are no longer before me。 A short experience of human life 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
