| We are rejoiced for many goods, which, on account of their frequency, give us no pride. |
| Health, when it returns after a long absence, affords us a very sensible satisfaction; but is seldom regarded as a subject of vanity, because it is shared with such vast numbers. |
| The reason, why pride is so much more delicate in this particular than joy, I take to be, as follows. |
| In order to excite pride, there are always two objects we must contemplate. viz, the cause or that object which produces pleasure; and self, which is the real object of the passion. |
| But joy has only one object necessary to its production. viz, that which gives pleasure; and though it be requisite, that this bear some relation to self, yet that is only requisite in order to render it agreeable; nor is self, properly speaking, the object of this passion. |
| Since, therefore, pride has in a manner two objects, to which it directs our view; it follows, that where neither of them have any singularity, the passion must be more weakened upon that account, than a passion, which has only one object. |
| Upon comparing ourselves with others, as we are every moment apt to do, we find we are not in the least distinguished; and upon comparing the object we possess, we discover still the same unlucky circumstance. |
| By two comparisons so disadvantageous the passion must be entirely destroyed. |
| III The third limitation is, that the pleasant or painful object be very discernible and obvious, and that not only to ourselves, but to others also. |
| This circumstance, like the two foregoing, has an effect upon joy, as well as pride. |
| We fancy Ourselves more happy, as well as more virtuous or beautiful, when we appear so to others; but are still more ostentatious of our virtues than of our pleasures. |
| This proceeds from causes, which I shall endeavour to explain afterwards. |
| IV. The fourth limitation is derived from the inconstancy of the cause of these passions, and from the short duration of its connexion with ourselves. |
| What is casual and inconstant gives but little joy, and less pride. |
| We are not much satisfyed with the thing itself; and are still less apt to feel any new degrees of self-satisfaction upon its account. |
| We foresee and anticipate its change by the imagination; which makes us little satisfyed with the thing: We compare it to ourselves, whose existence is more durable; by which means its inconstancy appears still greater. |
| It seems ridiculous to infer an excellency in ourselves from an object, which is of so much shorter duration, and attends us during so small a part of our existence. |
| It will be easy to comprehend the reason, why this cause operates not with the same force in joy as in pride; since the idea of self is not so essential to the former passion as to the latter. |
| V. I may add as a fifth limitation, or rather enlargement of this system, that general rules have a great influence upon pride and humility, as well as on all the other passions. |
| Hence we form a notion of different ranks of men, suitable to the power of riches they are possest of; and this notion we change not upon account of any peculiarities of the health or temper of the persons, which may deprive them of all enjoyment in their possessions. |
| This may be accounted for from the same principles, that explained the influence of general rules on the understanding. |