Let us suppose an end of Passion, there must be an end of reasoning.
Passion alone can correct Passion. Thus we forego a present pleasure, in
hopes that we shall afterwards enjoy a greater pleasure, or of longer
duration: or suffer a present pain, to escape a greater; and this is
called an act of the judgment. He who gives way to the dictates of
present passion, without consulting experience, listens to a partial
evidence, and must of course determine wrongfully.
Some, in order to pay a false compliment to sentimental pleasures,
attempt altogether to depreciate the pleasures of sense: with as little
justice, though with like plausibility, have men endeavoured to decry
the natural passions and affections as inconsistent with human felicity.
Not from our natural desires and passions do we suffer misery; for,
without these, what pleasure can we be supposed to enjoy? But from false
desires, or diseased appetites, acting without the aid of experience and
understanding.
He who commits an action which debases him in his own mind, besides its
other evil consequences, lays up a store of future misery, which will
haunt him as long as the memory of the deed remains.
Along with the present effects of any action, in order to judge of it
aright, we must put in the balance also its future consequences, and
consider, on one side, the satisfaction and honour; on the other, the
evil and disgrace that may attend it.
Magnanimity exercises itself in contempt of labours and pains, in order
to avoid greater pains, or overtake greater pleasures.