FACULTIES OF THE MIND. 237 



Our notions of duty are, in but few instances, the result 

 of experience, being in general derived from testimony, 

 Our standard depends less upon the information of the 

 senses than the dictates of others, and the belief, which is 

 the consequence, may be easily overruled. The dictates of 

 truth are universal and irresistible ; those of duty are par- 

 tial and variable, 



In the prosecution of the objects of existence, and in at- 

 tempting to supply the wants of our nature, we soon disco- 

 ver, that when we enter certain situations, or perform par- 

 ticular actions, we secure happiness or success, while by ne-, 

 glecting to attend to these conditions, we entail upon our- 

 selves pain and disappointment. In many cases, our infor- 

 mation respecting what will be hurtful or advantageous, is 

 derived from the testimony given by others of their experi-r 

 ence. In consequence of these suggestions of experience 

 and testimony, we conclude, that we ought to observe the 

 necessary degree of precaution, We likewise witness cer- 

 tain actions which we perform, hurtful or useful to others, 

 and we conclude, employing our own feelings as the stand-* 

 ard, that we ought to avoid those which are injurious, and 

 execute, willingly, those which are beneficial. By degrees, 

 we thus acquire our notions of duty, which greatly influ^ 

 ence our conduct. 



In the course of farther advances in the road of life, we 

 find the scene changing so frequently, and the conditions in 

 which we are placed so variable, that, for the accomplish- 

 ment of the same end, we must employ means different 

 from those we formerly made use of; 01% in oilier words, 

 the action which it was our duty, on a former occasion, to 

 perform, lios now become unnecessary, or, from the change 

 of circumstances, unsuitable. When these changes occur, 

 in reference merely to our own success or happiness, we 

 consult analogy, our own experience, or that of others. 

 When the happiness or success of others are involved, it 



