thoughts on man-第58章
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ir that we breathe。
Men are governed in their conduct in a surprising degree by the opinion of others。 It was all very well； when noblemen were each of them satisfied of the equity and irresistible principle of their ascendancy； when the vulgar population felt convinced that passive obedience was entailed on them from their birth； when we were in a manner but just emancipated （illusorily emancipated！） from the state of serfs and villains。 But a memorable melioration of the state of man will carry some degree of conviction to the hearts of all。 The most corrupt will be made doubtful： many who had not gone so far in ill； will desert the banners of oppression。
We see this already。 What a shock was propagated through the island； when； the other day； a large proprietor； turning a considerable cluster of his tenants out of the houses and lands they occupied； because they refused to vote for a representative in parliament implicitly as he bade them； urged in his own justification； 〃Shall I not do what I will with my own？〃 This was all sound morals and divinity perhaps at the period of his birth。 Nobody disputed it； or； if any one did； he was set down by the oracles of the vicinage as a crackbrained visionary。 This man； so confident in his own prerogatives； had slept for the last twenty years； and awoke totally unconscious of what had been going on in almost every corner of Europe in the interval。 A few more such examples； and so broad and sweeping an assumption will no more be heard of； and it will remain in the records of history； as a thing for the reality of which we have sufficient evidence； but which common sense repudiates； and which seems to demand from us a certain degree of credulity to induce us to admit that it had ever been。
The manners of society are by no means so unchanged and unalterable as many men suppose。 It is here； as in the case of excessive drinking； which I had lately occasion to mention＇36＇。 In rude and barbarous times men of the highest circles piqued themselves upon their power of swallowing excessive potations； and found pleasure in it。 It is in this as in so many other vices； we follow implicitly where our elders lead the way。 But the rage of drinking is now gone by； and you will with difficulty find a company of persons of respectable appearance； who assemble round a table for the purpose of making beasts of themselves。 Formerly it was their glory； now； if any man unhappily retains the weakness； he hides it from his equals； as he would a loathsome disease。 The same thing will happen as to parliamentary corruption； and the absolute authority that was exercised by landlords over the consciences of their tenants。 He that shall attempt to put into act what is then universally condemned； will be a marked man； and will be generally shunned by his fellows。 The eye of the world will be upon him； as the murderer fancies himself followed by the eye of omnipotence； and he will obey the general voice of the community； that he may be at peace with himself。
＇36＇ See above； Essay 9。
Let us not then disgrace a period of memorable improvement； by combining it with an institution that should mark that we； the great body of the people； regard the more opulent members of the community as our foes。 Let us hold out to them the right hand of fellowship； and they will meet us。 They will be influenced； partly by ingenuous shame for the unworthy conduct which they and their fathers had so long pursued； and partly by sympathy for the genuine joy and expansion of heart that is spreading itself through the land。 Scarcely any one can restrain himself from participating in the happiness of the great body of his countrymen； and； if they see that we treat them with generous confidence； and are unwilling to recur to the memory of former grievances； and that a spirit of philanthropy and unlimited good…will is the sentiment of the day； it can scarcely happen but that their conversion will be complete； and the harmony be made entire＇37＇。
＇37＇ The subject of this Essay is resumed in the close of the following。
ESSAY XVIII。 OF DIFFIDENCE。
The following Essay will be to a considerable degree in the nature of confession； like the Confessions of St。 Augustine or of Jean Jacques Rousseau。 It may therefore at first sight appear of small intrinsic value； and scarcely worthy of a place in the present series。 But； as I have had occasion more than once to remark； we are all of us framed in a great measure on the same model； and the analysis of the individual may often stand for the analysis of a species。 While I describe myself therefore； I shall probably at the same time be describing no inconsiderable number of my fellow…beings。
It is true； that the duty of man under the head of Frankness； is of a very comprehensive nature。 We ought all of us to tell to our neighbour whatever it may be of advantage to him to know； we ought to be the sincere and zealous advocates of absent merit and worth； and we are bound by every means in our power to contribute to the improvement of others； and to the diffusion of salutary truths through the world。
From the universality of these precepts many readers might be apt to infer； that I am in my own person the bold and unsparing preacher of truth； resolutely giving to every man his due； and； agreeably to the apostle's direction； 〃instant in season； and out of season。〃 The individual who answers to this description will often be deemed troublesome； often annoying； he will produce a considerable sensation in the circle of those who know him； and it will depend upon various collateral circumstances； whether he shall ultimately be judged a rash and intemperate disturber of the contemplations of his neighbours； or a disinterested and heroic suggester of new veins of thinking； by which his contemporaries and their posterity shall be essentially the gainers。
I have no desire to pass myself upon those who may have any curiosity respecting me for better than I am； and I will therefore here put down a few particulars； which may tend to enable them to form an equitable judgment。
One of the earliest passions of my mind was the love of truth and sound opinion。 〃Why should I；〃 such was the language of my solitary meditations； 〃because I was born in a certain degree of latitude； in a certain century； in a country where certain institutions prevail； and of parents professing a certain faith； take it for granted that all this is right？This is matter of accident。 〃Time and chance happeneth to all：〃 and I； the thinking principle within me； might； if such had been the order of events； have been born under circumstances the very reverse of those under which I was born。 I will not； if I can help it； be the creature of accident； I will not； like a shuttle…cock； be at the disposal of every impulse that is given me。〃 I felt a certain disdain for the being thus directed； I could not endure the idea of being made a fool of； and of taking every ignis fatuus for a guide； and every stray notion； the meteor of the day； for everlasting truth。 I am the person； spoken of in a preceding Essay＇38＇； who early said to Truth； 〃Go on： whithersoever thou leadest； I am prepared to follow。〃
＇38＇ See above； Essay XIII。
During my college…life therefore； I read all sorts of books； on every side of any important question； that were thrown in my way； or that I could hear of。 But the very passion that determined me to this mode of proceeding； made me wary and circumspect in coming to a conclusion。 I knew that it would； if any thing； be a more censurable and contemptible act； to yield to every seducing novelty； than to adhere obstinately to a prejudice because it had been instilled into me in youth。 I was therefore slow of conviction； and by no means 〃given to change。〃 I never willingly parted with a suggestion that was unexpectedly furnished to me； but I examined it again and again； before I consented that it should enter into the set of my principles。
In proportion however as I became acquainted with truth； or what appeared to me to be truth； I was like what I have read of Melancthon； who； when he was first converted to the tenets of Luther； became eager to go into all companies； that h
