JB/015/365/001

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2 Fortitude – a quality which is understood to embrace patience
and Equanimity. It is principally to a great extent the result of a form particular
physical organization, and in so far as this is the case, it is no more
a virtue than strength or symmetry or any other natural quality gift of nature
unobtainable by human effort. That portion of it which is under the
dominion of the will, may, if made subordinate to prudence & benevolence
be intitled to the denomination of virtue – but it is not necessarily virtuous, for there may be an
imprudent fortitude & a maleficent fortitude – tho' there can be no
imprudent – no maleficent virtue: – in other words no virtuous imprudence or
improbity. Fortitude is generally understood implies patience longanimity
under suffering, – or resistance to pain – and as one of the great objects of virtue
is to diminish suffering, fortitude may frequently be a secret useful
auxiliary. There are cases in which its exercise may only lead to
a prolongation of suffering, – as where, exhibited under torture, the
resistance opposition made by it only to the ordinary tendency expressions of suffering brings down tortures more terrible.
Whether in such a case the pleasures of the dissocial affections
– of scorn – & contempt counterbalance the pains added agonies of the tortured
as some have supposed, may well be questioned. No man who Few men
would of their an own choice allow the additional tortures
to be inflicted for any gratification they could derive from hurling
any quantity of scorn at the inflictor. The true reason may
be that tho' the torture is near – the scorn is nearer – & when
sufferings are intense there may be a sort of doubt in the mind of the sufferer as to the
possibility of adding to their intensity.

Fortitude is nearly allied to courage, – &
Courage like fortitude depends wholly for its title to approval
upon the use made of it. In itself it is no virtue, – and he
who values himself upon possessing it, – independently of the
application of it to wise, prudent or beneficent purposes, – values
himself on that which is possessed in a far higher degree by
a dog, – especially if the dog is mad.

Identifier: | JB/015/365/001 "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	365	Info in main headings field
Image	001	Titles
Category	linking material	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	f40
Penner	sir john bowring	Watermarks	c wise 1829
Marginals		Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year	1829
Notes public		ID Number	5581
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