CH. XXII.] GENESIS OF MAN, MORALLY. 357 



moral sense and the actions with which it is concerned. 

 Imperfectly adjusted moral codes arise, and false principles 

 of action gain temporary currency. These, nevertheless, 

 come ultimately to outrage our sympathies, and are conse- 

 quently overthrown ; while the principles of action which 

 really tend to heighten the life of society are sustained by 

 our sympathies ever more and more forcibly, and at last 

 become invested with a sacredness which is denied to the 

 others. Hence arises the ethical distinction between mala 

 p'ohibita and mala in se. 



Finally, it is not to be denied that, when the intelligence 

 is very high, there is likely to arise a deliberate pursuit of 

 moral excellence, attended by a distinct knowledge of the 

 elements in which such excellence consists. Instead of being 

 primeval, as the cruder utilitarianism seems to have imagined, 

 such conscious devotion to ends conducive to the happiness 

 of society is the latest and highest product of social evolu- 

 tion, and becomes possible only when the moral sense is 

 extremely developed. At this stage, ethical conceptions 

 begin to be reflected back upon the conduct of the individual 

 where it concerns solely or chiefly himself; and the self- 

 regarding virtues, as Mr. Darwin calls them, which are quite 

 unknown save in a high state of civilization, come into 

 existence. The injury of one's self, by evil thoughts, in- 

 temperate behaviour, or indulgence of appetite, comes to be 

 regarded as not only physically injurious, but morally wrong ; 

 and there arises the opinion that it is selfish and wicked for 

 one to neglect one's own health or culture. Here we ap- 

 proach the limits at which morality shades off into religion. 

 For, as I shall hereafter show,^ Religion views the individual 

 in his relations to the Infinite Power manifested in a uni- 

 verse of causally connected phenomena, as j\Iorality views 

 him in relation to his fellow-creatures. Tc violate the 

 decrees of Nature comes to be considered a sin, capable of 

 ^ See below, part iii. chap. v. 



