i66 RECAPITULATION 



they are very numerous and act in combina- 

 tions, the possibilities of diversity in human dis- 

 position are practically infinite. Individuals, 

 moreover, differ in their sensibility and in their 

 aptitudes for acquiring accomplishments, and 

 these unlikenesses introduce a further complica- 

 tion into the possibilities of human nature, so that 

 no two individuals are exactly alike. The impulses 

 that are aroused by a sensory impression or a 

 recollection may differ surprisingly on different 

 occasions : the associated set of recollections 

 can never be the same, and will arouse a novel 

 assortment of impulses : the relative strength 

 of impulses may be modified by habit, or in some 

 cases, influenced by the will : we are also affected 

 by the mood which governs us at the time. 

 Moreover, it seems that some impulses may rise 

 or fall at periodic intervals. Human nature is, 

 accordingly, not only very diverse from individual 

 to individual, but results in behaviour which 

 varies very greatly in the same individual. We 

 may, indeed, believe that human behaviour, if 

 purely impulsive, would be so eccentric as to be 

 irreducible to rule. But the outflowings of 

 impulse are controlled brought within sluice- 

 gates, so to speak by habit. To this regulation 

 of discharge individuals and communities owe the 

 regularity of their lives, their general uniformity 

 in dress, manners, and amusements, even the 

 ideas which direct their outlook upon life. Not 

 only is habit the foundation of conventional 

 morality : it guides our aspirations and fortifies 

 our conclusions upon religion and politics. 



Pleasure and pain may be distinguished from 

 happiness and unhappiness. The former arise 

 from our sensations : the latter from our instinc- 



