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malignant passions consequent on every operation of the selfish principle, betray its origin. All who refuse to acknowledge as the rich man's prerogative, his right to dictate, become obnoxious to his displeasure. The poor who do not crouch to him, are regarded with scorn and jealousy, producing the pain arising from a temporary diminution of the idea of self in his mind; for, by every expression of independence, he is made sensible that his power is limited.

of

power

It may perhaps be objected, that the love is only rendered vicious from its being directed to vicious purposes. Το this I answer, That when it arises from the desire to expand the idea of self, it is always vicious.

When divested of the selfish principle, vanity, pride, and ambition, are in their nature innocent, and even laudable. Take from vanity the desire of extending the

idea of self, by the display of qualities which are expected to excite your admiration or esteem, and vanity is converted. into a laudable desire of sympathy and approbation. It is then a happy self-complacency, equally unproductive of guile and malice.

Divest pride of that exaggerated idea of self, which it secretly cherishes, and it is transformed into that dignity which accompanies just and correct notions of what is due from man to man. In like manner, the love of power, when stripped of the selfish propensity, becomes a principle of active benevolence. It is the energy of virtue; and where it thus exists, glories not so much in being the instrument of good, as in the good that is produced. By no opposition to its will, by no thwarting of its measures, can it be converted into malevolence.

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CHAPTER VII.

Operation of the selfish principle in the spirit of party. Examples. Effects of party-spirit illustrated.

THE propensity to enlarge the idea of self is seldom, in private life, indulged without controul, unless under such circumstances as appear to give it the sanction of conscience. None but a madman, or one in whom the selfish principle has been pampered by the servile adulation of the only persons with whom he is in the habit of conversing, would openly avow having formed such high notions of himself, as implied a right to dictate to the wills, and sentiments, and opinions of all the world. But the right which few will dare to claim as their individual due, few scruple vehe

mently to assert as the indisputable prerogative of the party with which they have identified themselves.

If the evil spirit whom we are taught to consider as the enemy of mankind, and against whose activity and diligence we are taught to guard, was ever permitted to lay a hidden snare for the souls of men, that snare is party. It is here, that the archseducer has most ample means of accomplishing his perfidious end. Here, that his potent spells have power to charm the conscience into a profound repose, while all the malignant passions are permitted to put forth their strength. Here, that the benevolent affections are poisoned, or hushed to silence; that piety becomes lethargic; and devotion, instead of ascending to the universal Father on wings of love, is directed towards some idol of the imagination, formed and framed by the evil devices of man's corrupted heart.

That it is from identifying ourselves with the party we espouse; and that it is the propensities to enlarge the idea of self, which leads us thus to identify ourselves with those with whom the idea of self can be connected, will not, I imagine, be very difficult to prove.

On entering on the examination of this point, it may be advisable, in the first place, to inquire, What are the nature, and what the strength of those emotions that are produced in us, on reading or hearing of the temporary triumphs of error and injustice, in instances in which we are not otherwise concerned, than as our love of truth and justice leads us to take part with the oppressed? In such cases, our hearts glow with indignation against the oppressor; we ardently desire to hear of his having received the punishment due to his offence; and feel dissatisfied until truth obtains a complete ascendency over error and falsehood. But these feelings are un

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