362 Of the Direction of our Charity. Bk. iv. 



The apparent object of the passion between 

 the sexes is the continuation of the species, and 

 the formation of such an intimate union of views 

 and interests between two persons as will best 

 promote their happiness, and, at the same time, 

 secure the proper degree of attention to the help- 

 lessness of infancy and the education of the rising^ 

 generation ; but if every man were to obey at all 

 times the impulses of nature in the gratification 

 of this passion, without regard to consequences, 

 the principal part of these important objects 

 v/ould not be attained, and even the continuation 

 of the species might be defeated by a promiscu- 

 ous intercourse. 



The apparent end of the impulse of benevo- 

 lence is, to draw the whole human race together, 

 but more particularly that part of it which is of 

 our own nation and kindred, in the bonds of bro- 

 therly love; and by giving men an interest in the 

 happiness and misery of their fellow-creatures, 

 to prompt them, as they have power, to mitigate 

 the partial evils arising from general laws, and 

 thus to increase the sum of human happiness ; 

 but if our benevolence be indiscriminate, and the 

 degree of apparent distress be made the sole 

 measure of our liberality, it is evident that it will 

 be exercised almost exclusively upon common 

 beggars, while modest unobtrusive merit, strug- 

 gling with unavoidable difficulties, yet still main- 

 taining some slight appearances of decency and 

 cleanliness, will be totally neglected. We shall 

 raise the worthless above the worthy ; we shall 



