60 



ter of indifference; the silly aflfectatioa of appearing happier 

 than we really are, and valuing ourselves, and expecting dis- 

 tinction and superior attention from the possession of mere 

 external advantages, or even from an ostentatious display of 

 those that more truly belong to us as superior knowledge, 

 splendid abilities, eminent talents, political address, &c. all 

 these frivolities are denoted by the name of vanitij, and arc 

 merely ridiculous.* 



185. Desire of superiority in any pursuit. — ^This is nearly 

 allied to emulation ; but as I already said, seems to differ 

 from it ; for the desire of equality is merely defensive of a 

 natural right ; whereas the desire of superiority to others is 

 tinctured with pride, and an usurpation of that distinction 

 to which others have an equal claim : both are odious, when 

 to attain their object, they endeavour to depreciate the real 

 merit of others engaged in the same pursuits. I say realf 

 because the detection of falsehood or error in religion, phi- 

 losophy, politics, history, or even in taste, is in most casesr 

 either important, or advantageous to mankind. 



J 86. Ambition, or the desire of obtaining political honours 

 or power. The desire of receiving the former without de- 

 serving them by public services, betrays a ridiculous vanity ; 

 but the pursuit of that portion of legal power open to sub- 

 jects, attended with the resolution of executing the duties it 



imposes, 



• See Smith's Theory of Morat Sentiments, p. 376. 



