| But the happiness of strangers affects us by sympathy alone. |
| To that principle, therefore, we are to ascribe the sentiment of approbation, which arises from the survey of all those virtues, that are useful to society, or to the person possessed of them. |
| These form the most considerable part of morality. |
| Were it proper in such a subject to bribe the reader's assent, or employ any thing but solid argument, we are here abundantly supplied with topics to engage the affections. |
| All lovers of virtue (and such we all are in speculation, however we may degenerate in practice) must certainly be pleased to see moral distinctions derived from so noble a source, which gives us a just notion both of the generosity and capacity of human nature. |
| It requires but very little knowledge of human affairs to perceive, that a sense of morals is a principle inherent in the soul, and one of the most powerful that enters into the composition. |
| But this sense must certainly acquire new force, when reflecting on itself, it approves of those principles, from whence it is derived, and finds nothing but what is great and good in its rise and origin. |
| Those who resolve the sense of morals into original instincts of the human mind, may defend the cause of virtue with sufficient authority; but want the advantage, which those possess, who account for that sense by an extensive sympathy with mankind. |
| According to their system, not only virtue must be approved of, but also the sense of virtue: And not only that sense, but also the principles, from whence it is derived. |
| So that nothing is presented on any side, but what is laudable and good. |
| This observation may be extended to justice, and the other virtues of that kind. |
| Though justice be artificial, the sense of its morality is natural. |
| It is the combination of men, in a system of conduct, which renders any act of justice beneficial to society. |
| But when once it has that tendency, we naturally approve of it; and if we did not so, it is impossible any combination or convention coued ever produce that sentiment. |
| Most of the inventions of men are subject to change. |
| They depend upon humour and caprice. |
| They have a vogue for a time, and then sink into oblivion. |
| It may, perhaps, be apprehended, that if justice were allowed to be a human invention, it must be placed on the same footing. |
| But the cases are widely different. |
| The interest, on which justice is founded, is the greatest imaginable, and extends to all times and places. |
| It cannot possibly be served by any other invention. |