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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 old； for his judgement； we will see whether he would
necessarily judge so of himself without being guided by his teacher。
Tell him the history of an honest man whom men want to persuade to
join the calumniators of an innocent and powerless person （say Anne
Boleyn； accused by Henry VIII of England）。 He is offered advantages；
great gifts； or high rank； he rejects them。 This will excite mere
approbation and applause in the mind of the hearer。 Now begins the
threatening of loss。 Amongst these traducers are his best friends； who
now renounce his friendship； near kinsfolk； who threaten to disinherit
him （he being without fortune）； powerful persons； who can persecute
and harass him in all places and circumstances； a prince； who
threatens him with loss of freedom； yea； loss of life。 Then to fill
the measure of suffering； and that he may feel the pain that only
the morally good heart can feel very deeply； let us conceive his
family threatened with extreme distress and want； entreating him to
yield； conceive himself； though upright； yet with feelings not hard or
insensible either to passion or to his own distress； conceive
him； I say； at the moment when he wishes that he had never lived to
see the day that exposed him to such unutterable anguish； yet
remaining true to his uprightness of purpose； without wavering or even
doubting； then will my youthful hearer be raised gradually from mere
approval to admiration； from that to amazement； and finally to the
greatest veneration； and a lively wish that be himself could be such a
man （though certainly not in such circumstances）。 Yet virtue is here
worth so much only because it costs so much； not because it brings any
profit。 All the admiration； and even the endeavour to resemble this
character； rest wholly on the purity of the moral principle； which can
only be strikingly shown by removing from the springs of action
everything that men may regard as part of happiness。 Morality； then；
must have the more power over the human heart the more purely it is
exhibited。 Whence it follows that； if the law of morality and the
image of holiness and virtue are to exercise any influence at all on
our souls； they can do so only so far as they are laid to heart in
their purity as motives； unmixed with any view to prosperity； for it
is in suffering that they display themselves most nobly。 Now that
whose removal strengthens the effect of a moving force must have
been a hindrance； consequently every admixture of motives taken from
our own happiness is a hindrance to the influence of the moral law
on the heart。 I affirm further that even in that admired action； if
the motive from which it was done was a high regard for duty； then
it is just this respect for the law that has the greatest influence on
the mind of the spectator； not any pretension to a supposed inward
greatness of mind or noble meritorious sentiments； consequently
duty； not merit； must have not only the most definite； but； when it is
represented in the true light of its inviolability； the most
penetrating； influence on the mind。
It is more necessary than ever to direct attention to this method in
our times； when men hope to produce more effect on the mind with soft；
tender feelings； or high…flown； puffing…up pretensions； which rather
wither the heart than strengthen it； than by a plain and earnest
representation of duty； which is more suited to human imperfection and
to progress in goodness。 To set before children； as a pattern； actions
that are called noble； magnanimous； meritorious； with the notion of
captivating them by infusing enthusiasm for such actions； is to defeat
our end。 For as they are still so backward in the observance of the
monest duty； and even in the correct estimation of it； this means
simply to make them fantastical romancers betimes。 But； even with
the instructed and experienced part of mankind； this supposed spring
has； if not an injurious； at least no genuine； moral effect on the
heart； which； however； is what it was desired to produce。
All feelings； especially those that are to produce unwonted
exertions； must acplish their effect at the moment they are at
their height and before the calm down； otherwise they effect
nothing； for as there was nothing to strengthen the heart； but only to
excite it； it naturally returns to its normal moderate tone and； thus；
falls back into its previous languor。 Principles must be built on
conceptions； on any other basis there can only be paroxysms； which can
give the person no moral worth； nay； not even confidence in himself；
without which the highest good in man； consciousness of the morality
of his mind and character； cannot exist。 Now if these conceptions
are to bee subjectively practical； we must not rest satisfied
with admiring the objective law of morality； and esteeming it highly
in reference to humanity； but we must consider the conception of it in
relation to man as an individual； and then this law appears in a
form indeed that is highly deserving of respect； but not so pleasant
as if it belonged to the element to which he is naturally
accustomed； but on the contrary as often pelling him to quit this
element； not without self…denial； and to betake himself to a higher；
in which he can only maintain himself with trouble and with
unceasing apprehension of a relapse。 In a word； the moral law
demands obedience； from duty not from predilection； which cannot and
ought not to be presupposed at all。
Let us now see； in an example； whether the conception of an
action； as a noble and magnanimous one； has more subjective moving
power than if the action is conceived merely as duty in relation to
the solemn law of morality。 The action by which a man endeavours at
the greatest peril of life to rescue people from shipwreck； at last
losing his life in the attempt； is reckoned on one side as duty； but
on the other and for the most part as a meritorious action； but our
esteem for it is much weakened by the notion of duty to himself
which seems in this case to be somewhat