JB/015/574/001

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260

To point out public abuses is a high function of
positive efficient beneficence & to point them out so that
their removal may be accomplished with the least possible
sacrifice on the part of those interested in their continuance
is the task of intellectual virtue. For it often happens that
in the anxiety to get rid of an evil a greater evil is
entailed on an individual or a class than the evil got
rid of by the community; – that the sufferings entailed experienced
by the few are not counterbalanced by the benefits
resulting to the many. In the demand for political
reforms the situation of those who benefit by the unreformed
state of things is seldom held up to view, as benevolence, – as
morality itself would dictate – "Sweep abuses away" is the
undoubtedly dictate the maxim of political wisdom – but so sweep them
away that as little disappointment, – vexation, – or
pain be created as possible. A man occupies a situation
for which he is overpaid, but occupies it on an understanding
with the public authorities that he shall not be displaced. Is
it wise – is it just to displace him? I care little how
that question is answered, – but of this I am sure that
the greatest happiness principle while it would take can provide
that no other person should be appointed to succeed him
on the same conditions, – would take even also provide that the he
individually should suffer no loss that the future good
to the public should not be accompanied by present injury
to him.

Identifier: | JB/015/574/001 "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	574	Info in main headings field
Image	001	Titles
Category	linking material	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	f260
Penner	sir john bowring	Watermarks	1831
Marginals		Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year	1831
Notes public		ID Number	5790
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