JB/038/066/001

Click Here To Edit

1820 July 1. 1822 Aug. 9
Constitut. Code from Emancipation Spanish

Ch. First Principle §. Self-preference predominate.

1.
Duty of functionaries
consists in contributing
to their utmost to this
end.

2.
But in this situation
as in every other, every
man's conduct is
at all times determined
by his interest, is an
undeniable proposition,
subject to the necessary
explanations.

3.
Maxim. No functionary
can reasonably be
expected to do his duty, as
above described, any
further than his interest
can be made to
coincide with that his
duty: i.e. any further
than by the arrangements
that have been
established, it has been
made his interest to
pursue the line of
conduct which it is
his duty to pursue.

4.
Setting aside these arrangements,
every
such functionary
will pursue the conduct
most conducive
in his eyes to his own
private interest, to the
disregard of all other interests.

5.
The line of conduct
which, in the instance
of each functionary
ought reasonably to be
expected by those to whom
he is not individually
and intimately known,
is that which is most
conducive to his own
interest, as interest is

---page break---

6.
Operating on persons
individually unknown,
no ruler is warranted
in supposing any where
the absence of the most
perfect self preference.

7.
Really sacrificing his
own to universal interest,
no man has a
right to be thought to
do so.

8.
Not more difficulty
assertible is such self
sacrifice where false
than where true.

9.
Yet in a public assembly,
few restrain themselves
from such declarations,
notwithstanding
their destituteness
of all claim to credence.

10.
Thus asserting, I never
believe a man the
more: commonly the
less.

11.
The more vehement
his protestations, the
more copious his tears,
the more loathsome
to me is his imposture.

12
I can no more think
him the honester for
this, than I can think
the actor who acts
Othello honester than
him who acts
from

---page break---

13.
On each man, those objects
of desire should be
considered as operating
with greatest force which
do so on men in general.
Ex. gr. 1. Money. 2. Power.

14.
On each occasion, every
man ought to be supposed
disposed to contribute
to the utmost of his
power to the sinister
sacrifice.

15.
This, whatever be the form
of the government, or of
the political arrangements.

16.
Under a Monarchy,
no arrangements have
place for preventing
the sinister sacrifice
for Monarch's interest.

17.
No under Aristocracy
for Aristocrat's interest.

18.
In a mixt Monarchy,
in case of bribe given
beforehand to Representatives,
the motive for
correspondent conduct
is fear: viz of the infamy
of perfidy and
ingratitude.

Identifier: | JB/038/066/001"JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 38.
Date_1	1820-07-01	Marginal Summary Numbering	1-18
Box	038	Main Headings	constitutional code
Folio number	066	Info in main headings field	constitut. code from emancipation spanish
Image	001	Titles	ch. first principles / self-preference predomint
Category	marginal summary sheet	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	e1
Penner	john flowerdew colls	Watermarks	[[watermarks::i&m [prince of wales feathers] 1818]]
Marginals		Paper Producer	arthur wellesley, duke of wellington
Corrections	jeremy bentham	Paper Produced in Year	1818
Notes public		ID Number	11703
Box Contents