44, 



pathize with them. Yet wc may be shocked and even struck 

 with horror, at the sight or even the imagination of the pains 

 suffered by persons to whom we are perfect strano-ers, or 

 even by the dangers to which they are exposed, not indeed 

 of those that engage in mortal combat, but we sympathize 

 with the courage that urges them to meet such dangers. We 

 strongly commiserate the pains of the wounded. 



129. Through the benevolence of the Author of Nature, 

 Ave strongly participate in the mental pains undeservedly felt 

 by others, because they are in some measure reheved by such 

 participation if we are present, and even in our absence, if 

 the sufferer knows that all well disposed persons would sym- 

 pathize with him ; but as corporeal pains are incapable of 

 such relief, sympathy with them would be useless, and 

 pity even grievous. 



130. Mental pleasures receive less increase by participa- 

 tion, and hence our sympathy with them, though considera- 

 ble, is more moderate. But the participation of others 

 in the pleasures we ourselves enjoy, greatly heightens 

 them, if such pleasures be not essentially exclusive. 



131. To this principle we may also ascribe the; pleasure 

 we take in the agreement of others in our favourite opinions; 

 for some share of confidence is of the very essence of opi- 

 nion, and this confidence is encreased by the concurrence of 

 others ; and on the contrary we are in some degree displeased 

 by contradiction. Hence tyrants force, at least an outward 



conformity 



