JB/015/362/001

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37

It is only to a certain extent the lot of man to mark out
for himself his mortal destiny. He does not choose his position in the
world. The accident of birth decides for him a thousand contingencies.
It puts into his hand certain sources of pleasure & excludes him
from others. But so regulated are the instruments of enjoyment &
suffering – so beautifully balanced, – so equitably compensated, – that
the ultimate portion of well being dealt out to men in the different orders of
society is perhaps not very unequal in amount. For its whatever
estimate may be given to the pleasures of fruition – in any of their
attributes – the pains of privation must be increased in proportion.
Wants, which soon become pains, grow up more easily in the bosoms
pampered with superfluity than among those whose enjoyment
demands little for its satisfaction. And often close upon the pleasures
of rank & wealth, – tread lassitude & weariness. The physical
sanction frequently loses its beneficent effect The pleasures of sense may grow dull
from over use, – or feeble from over-straining. The social or
domestic influence sanction loses its power when pride supposes it can command
all services without it. Public opinion is blemished checked in its end
restraints by the growing indisposition to recognize its authority or to
submit to its awards. These and similar dangers wait on
opulence, – & thus lower its virtue-creating tendencies. But let
it not be supposed that Yet power in all & every shape is the sole
instrument of virtue morality – and the struggle for it within the limits of
prudence & benevolence so far from being worthy of reprehension is
perhaps the very strongest of all excitements to virtue.

Identifier: | JB/015/362/001 "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	362	Info in main headings field
Image	001	Titles
Category	linking material	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	f37
Penner	sir john bowring	Watermarks	b&m 1828
Marginals		Paper Producer	arthur moore; richard doane
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year	1828
Notes public		ID Number	5578
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