DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.48954#0120
104 EMOTIONS AND PASSIONS. Ch. II.
raise virtuous emotions ; which becomino- stronger
by exercise, tend to make us virtuous by habit as
well as by principle. I now further observe , that
examples confined to real events are not so fre-
quent as without other means to produce a habit
of virtue : if they be, they are not recorded bv his-
torians, It therefore shows great wisdom, to form
us in such a manner, as to be susceptible os the
same improvement from fable that we receive from
genuine history. By that contrivance , examples
to improve us in virtue may be multiplied without
end: no other sort of discipline contributes more
to make virtue habitual , and no other sort is so
agreeable in the application. I add another final
caule with thorough satissaclion ; because it shows,
that the author of our nature is not less kindly pro-
vident for the happiness of his creatures , than for
the regularity of ,their conduct : the power that
fidlion hath over the mind assords an endless variety
of refined amusements, always at hand to employ
a vacant hour : such amusements are a sine re-
source in solitude ; and by chearing and sweeten-
ing the mind, contribute mightily to social happi-
ness.
raise virtuous emotions ; which becomino- stronger
by exercise, tend to make us virtuous by habit as
well as by principle. I now further observe , that
examples confined to real events are not so fre-
quent as without other means to produce a habit
of virtue : if they be, they are not recorded bv his-
torians, It therefore shows great wisdom, to form
us in such a manner, as to be susceptible os the
same improvement from fable that we receive from
genuine history. By that contrivance , examples
to improve us in virtue may be multiplied without
end: no other sort of discipline contributes more
to make virtue habitual , and no other sort is so
agreeable in the application. I add another final
caule with thorough satissaclion ; because it shows,
that the author of our nature is not less kindly pro-
vident for the happiness of his creatures , than for
the regularity of ,their conduct : the power that
fidlion hath over the mind assords an endless variety
of refined amusements, always at hand to employ
a vacant hour : such amusements are a sine re-
source in solitude ; and by chearing and sweeten-
ing the mind, contribute mightily to social happi-
ness.