I cannot tell what may be the opinion of others; but ignorance and
barbarity seem to me to be the parents of the most and the worst vices.
Conceit, pride, bigotry, insolence, ferocity, cruelty, are the native
product of the human mind, kept uncultivated. Self-love, which makes so
predominant a part in the constitution of man, that some sufferers by
its excesses have mistaken it for the sole spring of all his actions,
naturally engenders these vices, when no care is taken to controul its
operations by another principle.
On this account, wise men have had recourse to various expedients;
such as the provision of Laws; the culture of Arts and Letters; and,
in general, all that discipline which comes under the notion of early
tutorage and education. But none of these has been found so effectual
to the end in view, or is so immediately directed to the purpose of
enlarging the mind, and curing it, at once, of all its obstinate and
malignant prejudices, as a knowledge of the world acquired in the way
of society, and general conversation.
To say nothing of the solitary sequestered life, which all men agree
to term _Savage_, look only on those smaller knots and fraternities
of men, which meet together in our provincial towns and cities, and,
without any larger commerce, are confined within the narrow enclosure
of their own walls or districts. In as much as this condition is more
social than the other, it is, without doubt, more eligible. Yet see how
many weak views are entertained by these separate clans, how many fond
conceits, and over-weening fancies! The world seems to them shrunk up
into their own private circle; just as the heavens appear to children
to be contained within the limits of their own horizon.
Extend this prospect of mankind to still greater combinations, to
states, kingdoms, nations, and what we call a whole people. By this
freer intercourse, indeed, their thoughts take a larger range, and
their minds open to more generous and manly conceptions. Yet their
native barbarism sticks close to them, and requires to be loosened and
worn off by a more social habit, by the experience of a still wider and
more thorough communication. Tribes of men, although very numerous,
yet, if shut up within one territory, and held closely together under
the influence of the same political constitution, easily assimilate,
as it were; run into the same common sentiments and opinions; and
presently take, in the whole extent of their community, one uniform
prevailing character.
Hence the necessity of their still looking beyond their _own_, into
other combinations and societies; that so, as the mind strengthens by
this exercise, they may be enabled to shake off their local, as we may
say, and territorial prejudices.
Those other societies may not be without their defects, which it will
be equally proper to keep clear of. But, by this free prospect of the
differences subsisting between different nations, each naturally gets
quit of his own peculiar and characteristic vices; and those of others,
presenting themselves to our unbiassed observation, are not so readily
entertained, or do not cling so fast to us, as what have grown up with
us, and, by long unquestioned use, are become, as we well express it, a
_second nature_.
Thus, by this near approach and attrition, as it were, of each other,
our rude parts give way; our rough corners are insensibly worn off; and
we are polished by degrees into a general and universal humanity.
EXTERNI _nequid valeat per læve morari_,
to use the poet’s words, though with some small difference, I believe
in their application.
What says my friend to these principles? are they just and reasonable?
or, am I going to build on precarious and insecure foundations?