AtthesametimeAdamSmithresentsstronglythedoctrinethatreligiousprinciplesaretheonlylaudablemotivesofaction，thedoctrine，\"thatweoughtneithertorewardfromgratitudenorpunishfromresentment，thatweoughtneithertoprotectthehelplessnessofourchildren，noraffordsupporttotheinfirmitiesofourparents，fromnaturalaffection；butthatweoughttodoallthingsfromtheloveoftheDeity，andfromadesireonlytorenderourselvesagreeabletoHim，andtodirectourconductaccordingtoHiswill。\"ItshouldnotbethesolemotiveandprincipleofourconductintheperformanceofourvariousdutiesthatGodhascommandedustoperformthem，thoughthatitshouldbeourrulingandgoverningprincipleisthepreceptofphilosophyandcommonsensenolessthanitisofChristianity。
InthesamewaythatAdamSmithregardsreligionasanadditionalsanctiontothenaturalrulesofmorality，doesheregarditastheonlyeffectualconsolationinthecaseofamanunjustlycondemnedbytheworldforacrimeofwhichheisinnocent。Tosuchanone，thathumblephilosophywhichconfinesitsviewtothislifecanaffordbutlittlecom-fort。Deprivedofeverythingthatcouldmakeeitherlifeordeathrespectable，condemnedtodeathandtoeverlastinginfamy，theviewofanotherworld，wherehisinnocencewillbedeclaredandhisvirtuerewarded，canalonecompensatehimforthemiseryofhissituation。
\"Ourhappinessinthislifeisthus，uponmanyoccasions，dependentuponthehumblehopeandexpectationofalifetocomeahopeandexpectationdeeplyrootedinhumannature，whichcanalonesupportitsloftyideasofitsowndignity，canaloneilluminethedrearyprospectofitscontinuallyapproachingmortality，andmaintainitscheerfulnessunderalltheheaviestcalamitiestowhich，fromthedisordersofthislife，itmaysometimesbeexposed。Thatthereisaworldtocome，whereexactjusticewillbedonetoeveryman……isadoctrine，ineveryrespectsovenerable，socomfortabletotheweakness，soflatteringtothegrandeurofhumannature，thatthevirtuousmanwhohasthemisfortunetodoubtofitcan-notpossiblyavoidwishingmostearnestlyandanxiouslytobelieveit。\"
Thisdoctrine，AdamSmiththinks，couldneverhavefallenintodisrepute，hadnotadoctrinebeenassertedofafuturedistributionofrewardsandpunishments，attotalvariancewithallourmoralsentiments。Thepreferenceofassiduousflatterytomeritorservice，whichisregardedasthegreatestreproacheventotheweaknessofearthlysovereigns，isoftenascribedtodivineperfection；\"andthedutiesofdevotion，thepublicandprivateworshipoftheDeity，havebeenrepresented，evenbymenofvirtueandabilities，asthesolevirtueswhichcaneitherentitletoreward，orexemptfrompunishment，inthelifetocome。\"
Thereisthesameabsurdityinthenotion，whichhadevenitsadvocateinaphilosopherlikeMassillon，thatonehourordayspentinthemortificationsofamonasteryhasmoremeritintheeyeofGodthanawholelifespenthonourablyintheprofessionofasoldier。Suchadoctrineissurelycontrarytoallourmoralsentiments，andtheprinciplesbywhichwehavebeentaughtbynaturetoregulateouradmirationorcontempt。\"Itisthisspirit，however，which，whileithasreservedthecelestialregionsformonksandfriars，orforthosewhoseconductorconversationresembledthoseofmonksandfriars，hascondemnedtotheinfernalalltheheroes，allthestatesmenandlawyers，allthepoetsandphilosophersofformerages；allthosewhohaveinvented，improved，orexcelledintheartswhichcontributetothesubsistence，totheconveniency，ortotheornamentoflife；allthegreatprotectors，instructors，andbenefactorsofmankind；allthosetowhomournaturalsenseofpraiseworthinessforcesustoascribethehighestmeritandthemostexaltedvirtue。Canwewonderthatsostrangeanapplicationofthismostrespectabledoctrineshouldsometimeshaveexposedittoderisionandcontempt？\"
Although，then，AdamSmithconsidersthatreasoncorroboratestheteachingofnaturalreligionregardingtheexistenceofGodandthelifehereafter，henowhererecognizesanymoralobligationinthebeliefofoneortheother；andtheyoccupyinhissystemaverysimilarpositiontothatwhichtheyoccupyinKant\'s，whotreatsthebeliefintheexistenceofGodandinimmortalityasPostulatesofthePracticalReason，thatistosay，asassumptionsmorallynecessary，howeverincapableofspeculativeproof。
AdamSmith，however，doesnotapproacheithersubjectatallfromthespeculativeside，butconfineshimselfentirelytothemoralbasisofboth，totheargumentsintheirfavourwhichthemoralphenomenaoflifeafford，suchashavebeenalreadyindicated。
ButbesidestheargumentinfavouroftheexistenceofGodderivedfromourmoralsentiments，theonlyargumentheemploysisderived，notfromthelogicalinconceivabilityofacontrarybelief，butfromtheincompatibilityofsuchacontrarybeliefwiththehappinessofthemansobelieving。A
manofuniversalbenevolenceorboundlessgoodwillcanenjoynosolidhappinessunlessheisconvincedthatalltheinhabitantsoftheuniverseareundertheimmediatecareofthatall-wiseBeing，whodirectsallthemovementsofnature，andwhoiscompelled，byHisownunalterableperfections，tomaintaininitatalltimesthegreatestpossiblequantityofhappiness。
Toamanofuniversalbenevolence，\"theverysuspicionofafatherlessworldmustbethemostmelancholyofallreflections；fromthethoughtthatalltheunknownregionsofinfiniteandincomprehensiblespacemaybefilledwithnothingbutendlessmiseryandwretchedness。Allthesplendourofthehighestprosperitycanneverenlightenthegloomwithwhichsodread-
fulanideamustnecessarilyovershadowtheimagination；nor，inawiseandvirtuousman，canallthesorrowofthemostafflictingadversityeverdryupthejoywhichnecessarilyspringsfromthehabitualandthoroughconvictionofthetruthofthecontrarysystem。\"
Itwasawell-knowndoctrineoftheStoicphilosophy，thatamanshouldresignallhiswishesandinterestswithperfectconfidencetothebenevolentwisdomwhichdirectstheuniverse，andshouldseekhishappinesschieflyinthecontemplationoftheperfectionoftheuniversalsystem。WiththisconceptionofresignationAdamSmithverycloselyagrees，inhisdescriptionofthesentimentswhichbecomethewiseandvirtuousmanwithregardtohisrelationtothegreatsumofthings。Justasheshouldbewillingtosacrificehisowninteresttothatofhisownorder，andthatofhisownorderagaintothatofhiscountry，soheshouldbewillingtosacrificeallthoseinferiorinterests\"tothegreaterinterestoftheuniverse，totheinterestofthatgreatsocietyofallsensibleandintelligentbeings，ofwhichGodHimselfistheimmediateadministratoranddirector。Ifheisdeeplyimpressedwiththehabitualandthoroughconvictionthatthisbenevolentandall-wiseBeingcanadmitintothesystemofHisgovernmentnopartialevilwhichisnotnecessaryfortheuniversalgood，hemustconsiderallthemisfortuneswhichmaybefallhimself，hisfriends，hissociety，orhiscountry，asnecessaryfortheprosperityoftheuniverse，andthereforeaswhatheoughtnotonlytosubmittowithresignation，butaswhathehimself，ifhehadknownalltheconnexionsanddependenciesofthings，oughtsincerelyanddevoutlytohavewishedfor。\"
Awisemanshouldbecapableofdoingwhatagoodsoldierisalwaysreadytodo。Forthelatter，whenorderedbyhisgeneral，willmarchwithalacritytotheforlornstation，knowingthathewouldnothavebeensenttherebutforthesafetyofthewholearmyandthesuccessofthewar，andhewillcheerfullysacrificehisownlittlesystemtothewelfareofagreater。But\"noconductorofanarmycandeservemoreunlimitedtrust，moreardentandzealousaffection，thanthegreatCon-ductoroftheuniverse。
Inthegreatestpublicaswellasprivatedisasters，awisemanoughttoconsiderthathehimself，hisfriendsandcountrymen，haveonlybeenorderedupontheforlornstationoftheuniverse；thathaditnotbeennecessaryforthegoodofthewhole，theywouldnothavebeensoordered；andthatitistheirduty，notonlywithhumbleresignationtosubmittothisallotment，buttoendeavourtoembraceitwithalacrityandjoy。\"
Tothequestion，howfaramanshouldseekhishighesthappinessinthecontemplationofthesystemoftheuniverse；or，inotherwords，whetherthecontemplativeorthepracticallifeisthehigherandbetter，AdamSmithreplieshesitatinglyinfavourofthelatter。Themostsublimeobjectofhumancontemplationis\"theideaofthatDivineBeing，whosebenevolenceandwisdomhavefromalleternitycontrivedandconductedtheimmensemachineoftheuniverse，soasatalltimestoproducethegreatestpossiblequantityofhappiness。\"Amanbelievedtobechieflyoccupiedinthissublimecontemplationseldomfailsofthehighestveneration；andeventhoughhislifeshouldbealtogethercontemplative，isoftenregardedwithasortofreligiousrespectfarhigherthanisgenerallybestowedonthemostusefulandactivecitizen。MarcusAntoninushas，perhaps，receivedmoreadmirationforhismeditationsonthissubjectthanforallthedifferenttransactionsofhisjustandbeneficentreign。
Nevertheless，thecareoftheuniversenotbeingtheconcernofman，butonlythecareofhisownhappiness，orthatofhisfamily，friends，orcountry，hecanneverbejustifiedinneglectingthemorehumbledepartmentofaffairsbecauseheisengagedinthecontemplationofthehigher。HemustnotlayhimselfopentothechargewhichwasbroughtagainstMarcusAntoninus，thatwhilsthewasoccupiedincontemplatingtheprosperityoftheuniverselieneglectedthatoftheRomanempire。\"Themostsublimespeculationofthecontemplativephilosophercanscarcecompensatetheneglectofthesmallestactiveduty。\"
CHAPTERIX。THECHARACTEROFVIRTUE。
Thescienceofethics，accordingtoAdamSmith，dealsmainlywithtwoprincipalquestions，thefirstconcerningthenatureofmoralapprobation，ortheoriginofourfeelingsofrightandwrong，andthesecondconcerningthenatureofvirtue，orthemoralelementsofwhichvirtueconsists。Thefirstquestionisthattowhichtheanswerhasalreadybeengiven；thesecondquestiontowhichtheansweryetremainstobegiven，is\"Whatisthetoneoftemper，andtenorofconduct，whichconstitutestheexcellentandpraiseworthycharacter，thecharacterwhichisthenaturalobjectofesteem，honour，andapprobation？\"Doesvirtueconsistinbenevolence，assomehavemaintained，orisitbutaformofself-love，asothershavemaintained；ordoesitconsistinsomerelationofthebenevolentandselfishaffectionstooneanother？
ThegeneralanswerwhichAdamSmithmakestothisquestionis，thatvirtueconsistsinacertainrelationtooneanotherofourselfishandunselfishaffections，notexclusivelyinapredominanceofeitherofthem。
\"Themanofthemostperfectvirtue，\"hesays，\"themanwhomwenaturallyloveandreverethemost，ishewhojoins，tothemostperfectcommandofhisownoriginalandselfishfeelings，themostexquisitesensibilitybothtotheoriginalandsympatheticfeelingsofothers。\"Itisthemanwhounitesthegentlervirtuesofhumanityandsensibilitywiththeseverervirtuesofself-controlandself-denial。\"Tofeelmuchforothers，andlittleforourselves，torestrainourselfish，andtoindulgeourbenevolentaffections，constitutestheperfectionofhumanity。\"
Consequentlyanyman\'scharacterforvirtuemustdependuponthosetwodifferentaspectsofhisconductwhichregardbothhimselfandothers；
andacharactercompletelyvirtuouswillconsistinacombinationofthosequalitieswhichhaveabeneficialeffectalikeonanindividual\'sownhappinessasonthatofhisfellow-men。ThesequalitiesarePrudence，JusticeandBeneficence；and\"themanwhoactsaccordingtotherulesofperfectprudence，ofstrictjustice，andofproperbenevolence，maybesaidtobeperfectlyvirtuous。\"
1。ThequalityofPrudenceisthatsideofaman\'scharacterwhichconcernsonlyhisownhappiness，andithasforitsobjectthecareofhispersonalhealth，fortune，rank，andreputation。Thefirstlessonsinthisvirtuearetaughtus\"bythevoiceofnatureherself，\"whodirectsusbytheappetitesofhungerandthirst，andbyagreeableordisagreeablesensations，toprovideforourbodilypreservationandhealth。Aswegrowolderwelearnthatonlybypropercareandforesightwithrespecttoourexternalfortunecanweensurethemeansofsatisfyingournaturalappetites，andwearefurtherledtoadesireoftheadvantagesoffortunebyexperience，thatchieflyontheirpossessionorsupposedpossessiondependsthatcreditandrankamongourequalswhichisperhapsthestrongestofallourdesires。
Securitythereforeofhealth，fortune，andrank，constitutestheprincipalobjectofPrudence。
Thisoutlineofthesubject-matterofPrudence，AdamSmithproceedstofillupwithasketchofthecharacterofthePrudentMan，whichmodelled，asitappearstobe，onAristotle\'sdelineationofimaginarytypesofthedifferentvirtues，issocharacteristicanillustrationofourauthor\'sstyleandthought，thatitisbestpresentedtothereaderinthefollowingextractsfromtheoriginal:——
\"Theprudentmanalwaysstudiesseriouslyandearnestlytounderstandwhateverheprofessestounderstandandnotmerelytopersuadeotherpeoplethatheunderstandsit；andthoughhistalentsmaynotalwaysbeverybrilliant，theyarealwaysperfectlygenuine。Heneitherendeavourstoimposeuponyoubythecunningdevicesofanartfulimpostor，norbythearrogantairsofanassumingpedant，norbytheconfidentassertionsofasuperficialandimpudentpretender；heisnotostentatiousevenoftheabilitieshereallypossesses。Hisconversationissimpleandmodest，andheisaversetoallthequackishartsbywhichotherpeoplesofrequentlythrustthemselvesintopublicnotice……
\"Theprudentmanisalwayssincere，andfeelshorrorattheverythoughtofexposinghimselftothedisgracewhichattendsuponthedetectionoffalsehood。Butthoughalwayssincere，heisnotalwaysfrankandopen；
andthoughhenevertellsanythingbutthetruth，hedoesnotalwaysthinkhimselfbound，whennotproperlycalledupon，totellthewholetruth。
Asheiscautiousinhisactions，soheisreservedinhisspeech，andneverrashlyorunnecessarilyobtrudeshisopinionconcerningeitherthingsorpersons。
\"Theprudentman，thoughnotalwaysdistinguishedbythemostexquisitesensibility，isalwaysverycapableoffriendship。Buthisfriendshipisnotthatardentandpassionatebuttoooftentransitoryaffectionwhichappearssodelicioustothegenerosityofyouthandinexperience。Itisasedate，butsteadyandfaithfulattachmenttoafewwell-chosencompanions；
inthechoiceofwhomheisnotguidedbythegiddyadmirationofshiningaccomplishments，butbythesoberesteemofmodesty，discretion，andgoodconduct。Butthoughcapableoffriendship，heisnotalwaysmuchdisposedtogeneralsociality。Herarelyfrequents，andmorerarelyfiguresin，thoseconvivialsocietieswhicharedistinguishedforthejollityandgaietyoftheirconversation。Theirwayoflifemighttooofteninterferewiththeregularityofhistemperance，mightinterruptthesteadinessofhisindustry，orbreakinuponthestrictnessofhisfrugality。
\"Butthoughhisconversationmaynotalwaysbeverysprightlyordiverting，itisalwaysperfectlyinoffensive。Hehatesthethoughtofbeingguiltyofanypetulanceorrudeness；heneverassumesimpertinentlyoveranybody，anduponalloccasionsiswillingtoplacehimselfratherbelowthanabovehisequals。Bothinhisconductandconversationheisanexactobserverofdecency，andrespectswithanalmostreligiousscrupulosityalltheestablisheddecorumsandceremonialsofsociety……
\"Themanwholiveswithinhisincomeisnaturallycon-tentedwithhissituation，whichbycontinualthoughsmallaccumulationsisgrowingbetterandbettereveryday。Heisenabledgraduallytorelaxbothintherigourofhisparsimonyandintheseverityofhisapplication；……Hehasnoanxietytochangesocomfortableasituation，anddoesnotgoinquestofnewenterprisesandadventureswhichmightendanger，butcouldnotwellincrease，thesecuretranquillitywhichheactuallyenjoys。Ifheentersintoanynewprojects，theyarelikelytobewellconcertedandwellprepared。
Hecanneverbehurriedordrivenintothembyanynecessity，buthasalwaystimeandleisuretodeliberatesoberlyandcoollyconcerningwhatarelikelytobetheirconsequences。
\"Theprudentmanisnotwillingtosubjecthimselftoanyresponsibilitywhichhisdutydoesnotimposeuponhim。Heisnotabustlerinbusinesswherehehasnoconcern；isnotameddlerinotherpeople\'saffairs；isnotaprofessedcounsellororadviser，whoobtrudeshisadvicewherenobodyisaskingit；heconfineshimselfasmuchashisdutywillpermittohisownaffairs，andhasnotasteforthatfoolishimportancewhichmanypeoplewishtoderivefromappearingtohavesomeinfluenceinthemanagementofthoseofotherpeople；heisaversetoenterintoanypartydisputes，hatesfaction，andisnotalwaysveryforwardtolistentothevoiceevenofnobleandgreatambition。Whendistinctlycalleduponhewillnotdeclinetheserviceofhiscountry；buthewillnotcabalinordertoforcehimselfintoit，andwouldbemuchbetterpleasedthatthepublicbusinesswerewellmanagedbysomeotherpersonthanthathehimselfshouldhavethetroubleandincurtheresponsibilityofmanagingit。Inthebottomofhishearthewouldprefertheundisturbedenjoymentofsecuretranquillity，notonlytoallthevainsplendourofsuccessfulambition，buttotherealandsolidgloryofperformingthegreatestandmostmagnanimousactions。\"
SuchisAdamSmith\'saccountofthecharacterofthePrudentMan，acharacterwhichhehimselfadmitscommandsratheracoldesteemthananyveryardentloveoradmiration。Hedistinguishesitfromthathigherformofprudencewhichbelongstothegreatgeneral，statesman，orlegislator，andwhichistheapplicationofwiseandjudiciousconducttogreaterandnoblerpurposesthanthemereobjectsofpersonalinterest。Thissuperiorprudencenecessarilysupposestheutmostperfectionofalltheintellectualandallthemoralvirtues；itisthemostperfectwisdomcombinedwiththemostperfectvirtue；itisthebestheadjoinedtothebestheart。
2。JusticeandBenevolencethedispositioneithertorefrainfrominjuringourneighbour，orelsetobenefithimarethetwoqualitiesofavirtuouscharacterwhichaffectthehappinessofotherpeople。Asacredandreligiousregardnottohurtordisturbthehappinessofothers，evenincaseswherenolawcanprotectthem，constitutesthecharacteroftheperfectlyinnocentandjustman，andisacharacterwhichcanscarcelyfailtobeaccompaniedbymanyothervirtues，suchasgreatfeelingforothers，greathumanity，andgreatbenevolence。Butwhilstbenevolenceisapositivemoralfactor，justiceisonlyanegativeone；benevolence，therefore，requiresthegreaterconsiderationofthetwo。
3。Benevolencecomprisesallthegoodofficeswhichweowetoourfamily，ourfriends，ourcountry，andourfellow-creatures。ThisistheorderinwhichtheworldisrecommendedtoourbeneficentaffectionsbyNature，whohasstrictlyproportionedthestrengthofourbenevolencetothedegreeinwhichitisnecessaryorlikelytobeuseful。
Thuseverymanisfirstandprincipallyrecommendedtohisowncare，beingbetterabletotakecareofhimselfthanofanyotherperson。Afterhimself，themembersofhisownfamily，thosewhousuallyliveinthesamehousewithhimhisparents，children，orbrothersandsistersarenaturallytheobjectsofhiswarmestaffections。Theearliestfriendshipsarethoseamongbrothersandsisters，whosepowerforgivingpleasureorpaintooneanotherrenderstheirgoodagreementsomuchthemorenecessaryforthehappinessofthefamily。Thesympathybetweenmoredistantrelations，beinglessnecessary，isproportionatelyweaker。
Here，again，maybenoticedtheinfluenceofcustomoverourmoralsentiments。
Affectionisreallyhabitualsympathy；and，fromourgeneralexperiencethatthestateofhabitualsympathyinwhichnearrelationsstandtooneanotherpro-ducesacertainaffectionbetweenthem，weexpectalwaystofindsuchaffection，andareshockedwhenwefailtodoso。Hencethegeneralruleisestablished，fromagreatnumberofinstances，thatpersonsrelatedtooneanotherinacertaindegreeoughttobeaffectedtowardsoneanotherinacertainmanner，andthatthehighestimproprietyexistsintheabsenceofanysuchaffectionbetweenthem。
Thisdispositiontoaccommodateandassimilateoursentimentsandprinciplestothoseofpersonswelivewithorseeoftenadispositionwhicharisesfromtheobviousconvenienceofsuchageneralagreementleadsustoexpecttofindfriend-shipsubsistingbetweencolleaguesinoffice，partnersintrade，orevenbetweenpersonslivinginthesameneighbourhood。Therearecertainsmallgoodofficeswhichareuniversallyregardedasduetoaneighbourinpreferencetoanyotherperson；andacertainfriendlinessisexpectedofneighbours，fromthemerefactofthesympathynaturallyassociatedwithlivinginthesamelocality。
Butthesesortofattachments，whichtheRomansexpressedbythewordnecessitudoasiftodenotethattheyarosefromthenecessityofthesituation，areinferiortothosefriendshipswhicharefoundednotmerelyonasympathy，renderedhabitualforthesakeofconvenience，butonanaturalsympathyandapprobationofaman\'sgoodconduct。Suchfriendshipcansubsistonlyamongthegood。\"Menofvirtueonlycanfeelthatentireconfidenceintheconductandbehaviourofoneanother，whichcanatalltimesassurethemthattheycannevereitheroffendorbeoffendedbyoneanother。Viceisalwayscapricious，virtueonlyisregularandorderly。
Theattachmentwhichisfoundedupontheloveofvirtue，asitiscertainlyofallattachmentsthemostvirtuous，soitislikewisethehappiest，aswellasthemostpermanentandsecure。Suchfriendshipsneednotbeconfinedtoasingleperson，butmaysafelyembraceallthewiseandvirtuouswithwhomwehavebeenlongandintimatelyacquainted，anduponwhosewisdomandvirtuewecan，uponthataccount，entirelydepend。\"
Andthesameprincipleswhichdirecttheorderofourbenevolentaffectionstowardsindividuals，likewisedirecttheirordertowardssocieties，recommendingtothembeforeallothersthosetowhichtheycanbeofmostimportance。
Ournativecountryisthelargestsocietyuponwhichourgoodorbadconductcanhavemuchinfluence。Itisthattowhichaloneourgood-willcanbedirectedwitheffect。Accordingly，itisbynaturemoststronglyrecommendedtous，ascomprehendingnotonlyourownpersonalsafetyandprosperity，butthatofourchildren，ourparents，ourrelations，andfriends。Itisthusendearedtousbyallourprivatebenevolent，aswellasbyourselfishaffections。Henceitsprosperityandgloryseemtoreflectsomesortofhonouruponourselves，and\"whenwecompareitwithothersocietiesofthesamekind，weareproudofitssuperiority，andmortified，insomedegree，ifitappearsinanyrespectbelowthem。\"
Butitisnecessarytodistinguishtheloveofourowncountryfromafoolishdisliketoeveryotherone。\"Theloveofourownnationoftendisposesustoview，withthemostmalignantjealousyandenvy，theprosperityandaggrandizementofanyotherneighbouringnation。Independentandneighbouringnations，havingnocommonsuperiortodecidetheirdisputes，allliveincontinualdreadandsuspicionofoneanother。Eachsovereign，expectinglittlejusticefromhisneighbours，isdisposedtotreatthemwithaslittleasheexpectsfromthem。Theregardforthelawsofnations，orforthoseruleswhichindependentstatesprofessorpretendtothinkthemselvesboundtoobserveintheirdealingswithoneanother，isoftenverylittlemorethanmerepretenceandprofession。Fromthesmallestinterest，upontheslightestprovocation，weseethoseruleseverydayeitherevadedordirectlyviolatedwithoutshameorremorse。Eachnationforesees，orimaginesitforesees，itsownsubjugationintheincreasingpowerandaggrandizementofanyofitsneighbours；andthemeanprincipleofnationalprejudiceisoftenfoundedonthenobleoneoftheloveofourowncountry……
FranceandEnglandmayeachofthemhavesomereasontodreadtheincreaseofthenavalandmilitarypoweroftheother；butforeitherofthemtoenvytheinternalhappiness`andprosperityoftheother，thecultivationofitslands，theadvancementofitsmanufactures，theincreaseofitscommerce，thesecurityandnumberofitsportsandharbours，itsproficiencyinalltheliberalartsandsciences，issurelybeneaththedignityoftwosuchgreatnations。Thesearetherealimprovementsoftheworldwelivein。Mankindarebenefited，humannatureisennobledbythem。Insuchimprovementseachnationoughtnotonlytoendeavouritselftoexcel，but，fromtheloveofmankind，topromote，insteadofobstructing，theexcellenceofitsneighbours。Theseareallproperobjectsofnationalemulation，notofnationalprejudiceorenvy。\"
ThispassageisofinterestascomingfromthefutureauthoroftheWealthofNationsthefuturefounderofthedoctrineoffreetrade；
andofhistoricalinterest，asreflectingcultivatedopinionatatimewhenEnglandwasjustinthemiddleoftheSevenyears\'war，istheremarkthatthemostextensivepublicbenevolenceisthatofthestatesmenwhoprojectorformalliancesbetweenneighbouringornotverydistantnations，\"forthepreservationeitherofwhatiscalledthebalanceofpower，orofthegeneralpeaceandtranquillityofthestateswithinthecircleoftheirnegotiations。\"