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proofs of the receptivity for such springs； and these I will now
briefly present； and then sketch the method of founding and
cultivating genuine moral dispositions。
When we attend to the course of conversation in mixed panies；
consisting not merely of learned persons and subtle reasoners； but
also of men of business or of women； we observe that； besides
story…telling and jesting； another kind of entertainment finds a place
in them； namely； argument； for stories； if they are to have novelty
and interest； are soon exhausted； and jesting is likely to bee
insipid。 Now of all argument there is none in which persons are more
ready to join who find any other subtle discussion tedious； none
that brings more liveliness into the pany； than that which concerns
the moral worth of this or that action by which the character of
some person is to be made out。 Persons； to whom in other cases
anything subtle and speculative in theoretical questions is dry and
irksome； presently join in when the question is to make out the
moral import of a good or bad action that has been related； and they
display an exactness； a refinement； a subtlety； in excogitating
everything that can lessen the purity of purpose； and consequently the
degree of virtue in it； which we do not expect from them in any
other kind of speculation。 In these criticisms； persons who are
passing judgement on others often reveal their own character： some； in
exercising their judicial office； especially upon the dead； seem
inclined chiefly to defend the goodness that is related of this or
that deed against all injurious charges of insincerity； and ultimately
to defend the whole moral worth of the person against the reproach
of dissimulation and secret wickedness； others； on the contrary；
turn their thoughts more upon attacking this worth by accusation and
fault finding。 We cannot always； however； attribute to these latter
the intention of arguing away virtue altogether out of all human
examples in order to make it an empty name； often； on the contrary； it
is only well…meant strictness in determining the true moral import
of actions according to an unpromising law。 parison with such
a law； instead of with examples； lowers self…conceit in moral
matters very much； and not merely teaches humility； but makes every
one feel it when he examines himself closely。 Nevertheless； we can for
the most part observe； in those who defend the purity of purpose in
giving examples that where there is the presumption of uprightness
they are anxious to remove even the least spot； lest； if all
examples had their truthfulness disputed； and if the purity of all
human virtue were denied； it might in the end be regarded as a mere
phantom； and so all effort to attain it be made light of as vain
affectation and delusive conceit。
I do not know why the educators of youth have not long since made
use of this propensity of reason to enter with pleasure upon the
most subtle examination of the practical questions that are thrown up；
and why they have not； after first laying the foundation of a purely
moral catechism； searched through the biographies of ancient and
modern times with the view of having at hand instances of the duties
laid down； in which； especially by parison of similar actions under
different circumstances； they might exercise the critical judgement of
their scholars in remarking their greater or less moral
significance。 This is a thing in which they would find that even early
youth； which is still unripe for speculation of other kinds； would
soon Bee very acute and not a little interested； because it feels
the progress of its faculty of judgement； and； what is most important；
they could hope with confidence that the frequent practice of
knowing and approving good conduct in all its purity； and on the other
hand of remarking with regret or contempt the least deviation from it；
although it may be pursued only as a sport in which children may
pete with one another； yet will leave a lasting impression of
esteem on the one hand and disgust on the other； and so； by the mere
habit of looking on such actions as deserving approval or blame； a
good foundation would be laid for uprightness in the future course
of life。 Only I wish they would spare them the example of so…called
noble （supermeritorious） actions； in which our sentimental books so
much abound； and would refer all to duty merely； and to the worth that
a man can and must give himself in his own eyes by the consciousness
of not having transgressed it； since whatever runs up into empty
wishes and longings after inaccessible perfection produces mere heroes
of romance； who； while they pique themselves on their feeling for
transcendent greatness； release themselves in return from the
observance of mon and every…day obligations； which then seem to
them petty and insignificant。*
*It is quite proper to extol actions that display a great；
unselfish； sympathizing mind or humanity。 But； in this case； we must
fix attention not so much on the elevation of soul； which is very
fleeting and transitory； as on the subjection of the heart to duty；
from which a more enduring impression may be expected； because this
implies principle （whereas the former only implies ebullitions）。 One
need only reflect a little and he will always find a debt that he
has by some means incurred towards the human race （even if it were
only this； by the inequality of men in the civil constitution；
enjoys advantages on account of which others must be the more in
want）； which will prevent the thought of duty from being repressed
by the self…placent imagination of merit。
But if it is asked： 〃What； then； is really pure morality； by which
as a touchstone we must test the moral significance of every
action；〃 then I must admit that it is only philosophers that can
make the decision of this question doubtful； for to mon sense it
has been decided long ago； not indeed by abstract general formulae；
but by habitual use； like the distinction between the right and left
hand。 We will then point out the criterion of pure virtue in an
example first； and； imagining that it is set before a boy； of say
ten years