158 Mi::\roins of 



and foolisli to love ourselves only; and if we 

 have never done anv thins; for others, how 

 can we expect gratitude and help from them ? 

 * C'est n'etre bon a rien, de n'etre bon qu'a soi.' * 

 He who stifles in himself the feeling of compas- 

 sion, and only obeys the dictates of self-love, is a 

 dangerous being in society, and who ought to be 

 reproved and punished in society, at least by 

 contempt. We may say, that almost all the evil 

 we commit arises from egotism ; whilst the 

 greater part of our good actions is inspired by 

 love for our fellow-creatures. Therefore, the 

 best system of education is that which teaches 

 us to direct and control our self-love within its 

 just limits, and, at the same time, tends to deve- 

 lope and augment our love for others, our desire 

 of being useful, and doing them good. These 

 reflections lead us back to M. de Montyon, who, 

 always animated by this desire, wished to render 

 all men wiser, better, and happier. It was with 

 this intention that he founded the prizes of virtue, 

 the distribution of which has been confided to the 

 Academic Fran9aise, and this is the tenth time 

 of fulfilling this honourable mission. . . . But the 

 liberality of M. de Montyon, though great, must 



* It is to be good for nothing to be only good to one's self. 



