登陆注册
5698300000090

第90章

The former labours under one disadvantage more than direct falsehood. It is of little consequence, to the persons with whom I communicate, that I have a subterfuge by which I can, to my own mind, explain my deceit into a consistency with truth; while at the same time the study of such subterfuges is more adverse to courage and energy than a conduct which unblushingly avows the laxity of its principles. The second of the degrees enumerated, which merely proposes to itself the avoiding every active deception, seems to be measured less by the standard of magnanimity than of personal prudence.

If, as Rousseau has asserted, "the great duty of man be to do no injury to his neighbour," then this negative sincerity may be of considerable value: but, if it be the highest and most indispensable business of man to study and promote his neighbour's welfare, a virtue of this sort will contribute little to so honourable an undertaking. If sincerity be, as we have endeavoured to demonstrate, the most powerful engine of human improvement, a scheme for restraining it within so narrow limits cannot be entitled to considerable applause. Add to this, that it is impossible, in many cases, to suppress information without great mastery in the arts of ambiguity and evasion, and such a perfect command of countenance as shall prevent it from being an index to our real sentiments. Indeed the man who is frequently accustomed to seem ignorant of what he really knows, though he will escape the open disgrace of him who is detected in direct falsehood or ambiguous imposition, will yet be viewed by his neighbours with coldness and distrust, and esteemed an unfathomable and selfish character.

Hence it appears that the only species of sincerity which can in any degree prove satisfactory to the enlightened moralist and politician is that where the frankness is perfect, and every degree of reserve is discarded.

Nor is there any danger that such a character should degenerate into ruggedness and brutality. Sincerity, upon the principles on which it is here recommended, is practised from a consciousness of its utility, and from sentiments of philanthropy. It will communicate frankness to the voice, fervour to the gesture and kindness to the heart. Even in expostulation and censure, friendliness of intention and mildness of proceeding may be eminently conspicuous. There should be no mixture of disdain and superiority.

The interest of him who is corrected, not the triumph of the corrector, should be the principle of action. True sincerity will be attended with that equality which is the only sure foundation of love, and that love which gives the best finishing and lustre to a sentiment of equality.

There is an important enquiry which cannot fail to suggest itself in this place. "Universal sincerity has been shown to be pregnant with unspeakable advantages. The enlightened friend of the human species cannot fail anxiously to anticipate the time when each man shall speak truth with his neighbour.

But what conduct does it behove us to observe in the interval? Are we to practise an unreserved and uniform sincerity, while the world about us acts upon so different a plan? If sincerity should ever become characteristic of the community in which we live, our neighbour will then be prepared to hear the truth, and to make use of the communication in a way that shall be manly, generous and just. But, at present, we shall be liable to waken the resentment of some, and to subject to a trial beyond its strength the fortitude of others. By a direct and ill-timed truth we may not only incur the forfeiture of our worldly prospects, but of our usefulness, and sometimes of our lives."

Ascetic and puritanical systems of morality have accustomed their votaries to give a short answer to these difficulties, by directing us "to do our duty, without regard to consequences, and uninfluenced by a consideration of what may be the conduct of others." But these maxims will not pass unexamined with the man who considers morality as a subject of reasoning, and places its foundation in a principle of utility. "To do our duty without regard to consequences," is, upon this principle, a maxim completely absurd and self-contradictory. Morality is nothing else but a calculation of consequences, and an adoption of that mode of conduct which, upon the most comprehensive view, appears to be attended with a balance of general pleasure and happiness.

Nor will the other part of the precept above stated appear, upon examination, to be less erroneous. There are many instances in which the selection of the conduct I should pursue altogether depends upon a foresight of "what will be the conduct of others." To what purpose contribute my subscription to an object of public utility, a bridge, for example, or a canal, at a time when I certainly foreknow that the subscription will not be generally countenanced? Shall I go and complete such a portion of masonry upon the spot as, if all my neighbours would do the same, would effect the desired purpose, though I am convinced that no one beside myself will move a finger in the undertaking? There are various regulations respecting our habits of living, expenditure and attire which, if generally adopted, would probably be of the highest benefit, which yet, if acted upon by a single individual, might be productive of nothing but injury. I cannot pretend to launch a ship or repel an army by myself, though either of these might be things, absolutely considered, highly proper to be done.

The duty of sincerity is one of those general principles which reflection and experience have enjoined upon us as conducive to the happiness of mankind.

同类推荐
  • 晋太康三年地记

    晋太康三年地记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 神僧传

    神僧传

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Wildfire

    Wildfire

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 杨氏字辈

    杨氏字辈

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 奉和袭美酬前进士崔

    奉和袭美酬前进士崔

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • The Varieties of Religious Experience

    The Varieties of Religious Experience

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 世界最具欣赏性的优美散文(3)

    世界最具欣赏性的优美散文(3)

    我的课外第一本书——震撼心灵阅读之旅经典文库,《阅读文库》编委会编。通过各种形式的故事和语言,讲述我们在成长中需要的知识。
  • 送房杭州

    送房杭州

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 铁网铜钩

    铁网铜钩

    《铁网铜钩》描写20世纪40年代鄱阳湖渔民生活的长篇小说。作者以两大渔村持续数百年的械斗为基本线索,描摹了宗法制度下,社会底层的人们以祖姓、祖业、祖地为经,以仁义、情感、暴力为纬的生活图景,叙述了他们在生计、官府、敌寇、礼法制度等重压下的苦难与抗争。塑造了一群打上时代和地域烙印、具有鲜明个性的渔民形象,连同起伏跌宕的故事情节和独具特色的地域风情,真实地再现了那个年代的社会特征和人物命运。作者还在书中不停地暗喻和追问:谁能冲破传统观念的铁网,挣脱现实利益的铜钩?在今天,我们依然不难见到那个年代人们行为方式的影子,社会需要在深刻的变革中弃旧而图新。因而,这部作品有着它特有的社会价值和现实意义。
  • 翻红身价的密码

    翻红身价的密码

    《翻红身价的密码》由欧阳吉强编著,按照本书中的方法操作,让自己成为自己想成为的那个样子,展现出大家风范,赚取更多的财富,拥有更高的身价。
  • 广告是怎样产生的

    广告是怎样产生的

    尹守国,2006年开始小说创作,发表中短篇小说70多万字,作品多次被《新华文摘》、《小说选刊》、《北京文学中篇小说月报》等选载,中国作家协会会员,辽宁省作协签约作家。
  • 中国梦实现的根本法保障

    中国梦实现的根本法保障

    宪法序言申明的建设富强、民主、文明的社会主义国家是经济、政治、社会、文化与生态文明五位一体的指导方针。人民代表大会制度等诸项制度体现人民当家作主,是道路、理论与制度自信的宪法阐释。人权尊重构成国权之目的,确保人民福祉与执政党的合法性。为实现这一深沉梦想,须尊重宪法,恪守宪法职责,推进宪法实施。
  • 恰锦瑟年华

    恰锦瑟年华

    繁华半生,不如江湖一场醉。这一生已经很幸运,遇见了自己倾慕的人。世上最美好的事情莫过于此了吧,自己倾慕的那个人恰好也对自己有意,这样的一生即使短暂也是心心念念的。
  • 解拳论

    解拳论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 健康晚餐这样吃

    健康晚餐这样吃

    晚餐是现代人最重要的一餐,忙碌一天后,如何补充能量才能让身体恢复最佳状态?《美食天下(第2辑):健康晚餐这样吃》根据晚餐吃精、吃对、吃健康的理念,合理搭配膳食,让消耗一天的身体恢复活力。