thoughts on man-第81章
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youth； whose morning of life is not utterly abortive； palpitates with the desire to promote the happiness of others； and with the desire of glory。
We have an apt specimen of this in the first period of the reign of Nero。 The historians； Tacitus in particular； have treated this with too much incredulity。 It was the passion of that eminent man to indulge in subtleties； and to find hidden meanings in cases where in reality every thing is plain。 We must not regard the panegyric of Seneca； and the devotion of Lucan to the imperial stripling； as unworthy of our attention。 He was declared emperor before he had completed the eighteenth year of his age。 No occasion for the exhibition of liberality； clemency； courtesy or kindness escaped him。 He called every one by his name； and saluted all orders of men。 When the senate shewed a disposition to confer on him peculiar honours； he interposed； he said； 〃Let them be bestowed when I have deserved them＇83＇。〃 Seneca affirms； that in the first part of his reign； and to the time in which the philosopher dedicated to him his treatise of Clemency； he had 〃shed no drop of blood＇84＇。〃 He adds； 〃If the Gods were this day to call thee to a hearing； thou couldst account to them for every man that had been intrusted to thy rule。 Not an individual has been lost from the number； either by secret practices； or by open violence。 This could scarcely have been； if thy good dispositions had not been natural； but assumed。
No one can long personate a character。 A pretended goodness will speedily give place to the real temper； while a sincere mind； and acts prompted by the heart； will not fail to go on from one stage of excellence to another＇85＇。〃
＇83＇ Suetonius； Nero； cap。 10。
＇84＇ De Clementia； Lib。 I； cap。 II。
＇85＇ De Clementia； cap。 I。
The philosopher expresses himself in raptures on that celebrated phrase of Nero； WOULD I HAD NEVER LEARNED TO WRITE！ 〃An exclamation；〃 he says； 〃not studied； not uttered for the purpose of courting popularity； but bursting insuppressibly from thy lips； and indicating the vehemence of the struggle between the kindness of thy disposition and the duties of thy office＇86＇。〃
＇86＇ Ibid。； Lib。 II； cap。 I。
How many generous purposes； what bright and heart…thrilling visions of beneficence and honour； does the young man； just starting in the race of life； conceive！ There is no one in that period of existence； who has received a reasonable education； and has not in his very nonage been trod down in the mire of poverty and oppression； that does not say to himself； 〃Now is the time； and I will do something worthy to be remembered by myself and by others。〃 Youth is the season of generosity。 He calls over the catalogue of his endowments； his attainments； and his powers； and exclaims； 〃To that which I am； my contemporaries are welcome； it shall all be expended for their service and advantage。〃
With what disdain he looks at the temptations of selfishness； effeminate indulgence； and sordid gain！ He feels within himself that he was born for better things。 His elders； and those who have already been tamed down and emasculated by the corrupt commerce of the world； tell him； 〃All this is the rhapsody of youth； fostered by inexperience； you will soon learn to know better； in no long time you will see these things in the same light in which we see them。〃 But he despises the sinister prognostic that is held out to him； and feels proudly conscious that the sentiments that now live in his bosom； will continue to animate him to his latest breath。
Youth is necessarily ingenuous in its thoughts； and sanguine in its anticipations of the future。 But the predictions of the seniors I have quoted； are unfortunately in too many cases fulfilled。 The outline of the scheme of civil society is in a high degree hostile to the growth and maturity of human virtue。 Its unavoidable operation； except in those rare cases where positive institutions have arrested its tendency； has been to divide a great portion of its members； especially in large and powerful states； into those who are plentifully supplied with the means of luxury and indulgence； and those who are condemned to suffer the rigours of indigence。
The young man who is born to the prospect of hereditary wealth； will not unfrequently feel as generous emotions； and as much of the spirit of self…denial； as the bosom of man is capable of conceiving。 He will say； What am I； that I should have a monopoly of those things； which； if 〃well dispensed； in unsuperfluous； even proportion；〃 would supply the wants of all？ He is ready； agreeably to the advice of Christ to the young man in the Gospel； to 〃sell all that he has； and give to the poor；〃 if he could be shewn how so generous a resolution on his part could be encountered with an extensive conspiracy of the well…disposed； and rendered available to the real melioration of the state of man in society。 Who is there so ignorant； or that has lived in so barren and unconceiving a tract of the soil of earth； that has not his tale to tell of the sublime emotions and the generous purposes he has witnessed； which so often mark this beautiful era of our sublunary existence？
But this is in the dawn of life； and the first innocence of the human heart。 When once the young man of 〃great possessions〃 has entered the gardens of Alcina； when he has drunk of the cup of her enchantments； and seen all the delusive honour and consideration that； in the corruptness of modern times； are the lot of him who is the owner of considerable wealth； the dreams of sublime virtue are too apt to fade away。 He was willing before； to be nourished with the simplest diet； and clad with the plainest attire。 He knew that he was but a man like the rest of his species； and was in equity entitled to no more than they。 But he presently learns a very different lesson。 He believes that he cannot live without splendour and luxury； he regards a noble mansion； elegant vesture； horses； equipage； and an ample establishment； as things without which he must be hopelessly miserable。 That income； which he once thought； if divided； would have secured the happiness and independence of many； he now finds scarcely sufficient to supply his increased and artificial cravings。
But； if the rich are seduced and led away from the inspirations of virtue； it may easily be conceived how much more injurious； and beyond the power of control； are the effects on the poor。 The mysterious source from which the talents of men are derived； cannot be supposed in their distribution to be regulated by the artificial laws of society； and to have one measure for those which are bestowed upon the opulent； and another for the destitute。 It will therefore not seldom happen that powers susceptible of the noblest uses may be cast； like 〃seed sown upon stony places；〃 where they have scarcely any chance to be unfolded and matured。 In a few instances they may attract the attention of persons both able and willing to contribute to their being brought to perfection。 In a few instances the principle may be so vigorous； and the tendency to excel so decisive； as to bid defiance to and to conquer every obstacle。 But in a vast majority the promise will be made vain； and the hopes that might have been entertained will prove frustrate。 What can be expected from the buds of the most auspicious infancy； if encountered in their earliest stage with the rigorous blasts of a polar climate？
And not only will the germs of excellence be likely to be extinguished in the members of the lower class of the community； but the temptations to irregular acts and incroachments upon the laws for the security of property will often be so great； as to be in a manner irresistible。 The man who perceives that； with all his industry； he cannot provide for the bare subsistence of himself and those dependent upon him； while his neighbour revels in boundless profusion； cannot but sometimes feel himself goaded to an attempt to correct this crying evil。 What must be expected to become of that general good…will which is the natural inheritance of a well…constituted mind； when urged by so bitter oppression and such unendurable sufferings？ The whole temper of the human heart m
