Of what it likes or loaths—’
or if not to make good my ground, to march out with flying colours and beat of drum!
SELF-LOVE AND BENEVOLENCE
The New Monthly Magazine.] [October and December, 1828.
A. For my part, I think Helvetius has made it clear that self-love is at the bottom of all our actions, even of those which are apparently the most generous and disinterested.
B. I do not know what you mean by saying that Helvetius has made this clear, nor what you mean by self-love.
A. Why, was not he the first who explained to the world that in gratifying others, we gratify ourselves; that though the result may be different, the motive is really the same, and a selfish one; and that if we had not more pleasure in performing what are called friendly or virtuous actions than the contrary, they would never enter our thoughts?
B. Certainly he is no more entitled to this discovery (if it be one) than you are. Hobbes and Mandeville long before him asserted the same thing in the most explicit and unequivocal manner;[[21]] and Butler, in the Notes and Preface to his Sermons, had also long before answered it in the most satisfactory way.
A. Ay, indeed! pray how so?
B. By giving the common sense answer to the question which I have just asked of you.