thoughts on man-第53章
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y reasons and arguments to convince our fellows； that the choice we have made is also worthy of their adoption。 We can express our thoughts； and the various lights and shades； the bleedings； of our thoughts。 Language is an instrument capable of being perpetually advanced in copiousness； perspicuity and power。
No principle of morality can be more just； than that which teaches us to regard every faculty we possess as a power intrusted to us for the benefit of others as well as of ourselves； and which therefore we are bound to employ in the way which shall best conduce to the general advantage。
〃Speech was given us； that by it we might express our thoughts＇34＇；〃 in other words； our impressions； ideas and conceptions。 We then therefore best fulfil the scope of our nature； when we sincerely and unreservedly communicate to each other our feelings and apprehensions。 Speech should be to man in the nature of a fair complexion； the transparent medium through which the workings of the mind should be made legible。
＇34＇ Moliere。
I think I have somewhere read of Socrates； that certain of his friends expostulated with him； that the windows of his house were so constructed that every one who went by could discover all that passed within。 〃And wherefore not？〃 said the sage。 〃I do nothing that I would wish to have concealed from any human eye。 If I knew that all the world observed every thing I did； I should feel no inducement to change my conduct in the minutest particular。〃
It is not however practicable that frankness should be carried to the extent above mentioned。 It has been calculated that the human mind is capable of being impressed with three hundred and twenty sensations in a second of time。 At all events we well know that； even 〃while I am speaking； a variety of sensations are experienced by me； without so much as interrupting； that is； without materially diverting； the train of my ideas。 My eye successively remarks a thousand objects that present themselves； and my mind wanders to the different parts of my body； without occasioning the minutest obstacle to my discourse； or my being in any degree distracted by the multiplicity of these objects＇35＇。〃 It is therefore beyond the reach of the faculty of speech； for me to communicate all the sensations I experience； and I am of necessity reduced to a selection。
＇35＇ See above； Essay 7。
Nor is this the whole。 We do not communicate all that we feel； and all that we think； for this would be impertinent。 We owe a certain deference and consideration to our fellow…men； we owe it in reality to ourselves。 We do not communicate indiscriminately all that passes within us。 The time would fail us； and 〃the world would not contain the books that might be written。〃 We do not speak merely for the sake of speaking； otherwise the communication of man with his fellow would be but one eternal babble。 Speech is to be employed for some useful purpose； nor ought we to give utterance to any thing that shall not promise to be in some way productive of benefit or amusement。
Frankness has its limits； beyond which it would cease to be either advantageous or virtuous。 We are not to tell every thing：
but we are not to conceal any thing； that it would be useful or becoming in us to utter。 Our first duty regarding the faculty of speech is； not to keep back what it would be beneficial to our neighbour to know。 But this is a negative sincerity only。 If we would acquire a character for frankness； we must be careful that our conversation is such； as to excite in him the idea that we are open； ingenuous and fearless。 We must appear forward to speak all that will give him pleasure； and contribute to maintain in him an agreeable state of being。 It must be obvious that we are not artificial and on our guard。After all； it is difficult to lay down rules on this subject： the spring of whatever is desirable respecting it； must be in the temper of the man with whom others have intercourse。 He must be benevolent； sympathetic and affectionate。 His heart must overflow with good…will； and he must be anxious to relieve every little pain； and to contribute to the enjoyment and complacent feelings； of those with whom he is permanently or accidentally connected。 〃Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh。〃
There are two considerations by which we ought to be directed in the exercise of the faculty of speech。
The first is； that we should tell our neighbour all that it would be useful to him to know。 We must have no sinister or bye ends。 〃No man liveth to himself。〃 We are all of us members of the great congregation of mankind。 The same blood should circulate through every limb and every muscle。 Our pulses should beat time to each other； and we should have one common sensorium； vibrating throughout； upon every material accident that occurs； and when any object is at stake essentially affecting the welfare of our fellow…beings。 We should forget ourselves in the interest that we feel for the happiness of others； and； if this were universal； each man would be a gainer； inasmuch as he lost himself； and was cared and watched for by many。
In all these respects we must have no reserve。 We should only consider what it is that it would be beneficial to have declared。
We must not look back to ourselves； and consult the dictates of a narrow and self…interested prudence。 The whole essence of communication is adulterated； if； instead of attending to the direct effects of what suggests itself to our tongue； we are to consider how by a circuitous route it may react upon our own pleasures and advantage。
Nor only are we bound to communicate to our neighbour all that it will be useful to him to know。 We have many neighbours； beside those to whom we immediately address ourselves。 To these our absent fellow…beings； we owe a thousand duties。 We are bound to defend those whom we hear aspersed； and who are spoken unworthily of by the persons whom we incidentally encounter。 We should be the forward and spontaneous advocates of merit in every shape and in every individual in whom we know it to exist。 What a character would that man make for himself； of whom it was notorious that he consecrated his faculty of speech to the refuting unjust imputations against whomsoever they were directed； to the contradicting all false and malicious reports； and to the bringing forth obscure and unrecognised worth from the shades in which it lay hid！ What a world should we live in； if all men were thus prompt and fearless to do justice to all the worth they knew or apprehended to exist！ Justice； simple justice； if it extended no farther than barely to the faculty of speech； would in no long time put down all misrepresentation and calumny； bring all that is good and meritorious into honour； and； so to speak； set every man in his true and rightful position。 But whoever would attempt this； must do it in all honour； without parade； and with no ever…and…anon looking back upon his achievement； and saying； See to how much credit I am entitled！as if he laid more stress upon himself； the doer of this justice； than upon justice in its intrinsic nature and claims。
But we not only owe something to the advantage and interest of our neighbours； but something also to the sacred divinity of Truth。 I am not only to tell my neighbour whatever I know that may be beneficial to him； respecting his position in society； his faults； what other men appear to contemplate that may conduce to his advantage or injury； and to advise him how the one may best be forwarded； or the other defeated and brought to nothing： I am bound also to consider in what way it may be in my power so to act on his mind； as shall most enlarge his views； confirm and animate his good resolutions； and meliorate his dispositions and temper。 We are all members of one great community： and we shall never sufficiently discharge our duty in that respect； till； like the ancient Spartans； the love of the whole becomes our predominant passion； and we cease to imagine that we belong to ourselves； so much as to the entire body of which we are a part。 There are certain views in morality； in politics； and various other important subjects； the general pre
