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89

But the Oxford Compendium offers a series of definitions for virtue, – out of which
a man may take which he pleases.

1t. Virtue is an elective habit, consisting in mediocrity (or in a medium) in
regard to ourselves – and as a prudent man would prescribe it.
Let who can make sense of this. If it have any meaning, the meaning is that
there are two virtues, mediocrity& prudence& that these two are one.

2 Virtue consists in the conformity of our actions to the divine will.
Good. But the difficulty is to know the divine will on every occasion. The
phraseology of the Bible is in general, not particular – sometimes too the meaning
may be doubtful and a and subject to a dispute. but And what is the divine will
as taught in the Bible? What is it, – what can it be but to produce happiness.
What other motive, – what other end has it proposed to obedience. The divine
will is benignant – benevolent – beneficent. What do these terms mean imply
but happiness-intending – happiness-producing. So that if the words recan Oxford moralist
has any meaning – if the words are not used for the mere purposes of delusion
his meaning must be our meaning. And in that case he might have
avoided all ambiguity of expression.

3 Virtue consists in the conformity of our actions to right reason.
Right reason? That very reason which the authorities of Oxford so often declare
to be at variance with the divine will. Human reason – is i not? that
is the standard. Whose right reason? Mine, – or the man's who differs from
me. Mine of course, for I cannot hold any man's reason to be right which
I hold to be wrong. And I hold his to be wrong because I differ from him.
Mine or the Oxford man's? Mine. The question is settled. And now
let me dogmatize like the rest.

Nay but 4th Virtue consists – the divine will & right reason consist – in
mediocrity.

Here at last we have a standard by which to measure the divine will
& right reason too & virtue as the child of both. And now, reader, all doubts & difficulties being removed
your moral principle is put into your hand that with it you may work your
wonders. The matter is settled So says Aristotle – so says Oxford.

Identifier: | JB/015/235/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 15.
Date_1		Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	015	Main Headings	deontology
Folio number	235	Info in main headings field
Image	001	Titles
Category	linking material	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	f89
Penner	sir john bowring	Watermarks
Marginals		Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number	5451
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