16i THE DESCENT OF MAN 



be advisable, if found practicable, to use the same definition 

 in both cases, and to take as the standard of morality the 

 general good or welfare of the community, rather than 

 the general happiness; but this definition would perhaps 

 require some limitation on account of political ethics. 



"When a man risks his life to save that of a fellow- 

 creature, it seems also more correct to say that he acts for 

 the general good, rather than for the general happiness of 

 mankind. N"o doubt the welfare and the happiness of the 

 individual usually coincide; and a contented, happy tribe 

 will flourish better than one that is discontented and un- 

 happy. We have seen that, even at an early period in the 

 history of man, the expressed wishes of the community will 

 have naturally influenced to a large extent the conduct of 

 each member; and as all wish for happiness, the "Greatest 

 happiness principle" will have become a most important 

 eecondary guide and object; the social instinct, however, 

 together with sympathy (which leads to our regarding the 

 approbation and disapprobation of others), having served 

 as the primary impulse and guide. Thus the reproach is 

 removed of laying the fovmdation of the noblest part of our 

 nature in the base principle of selfishness; unless, indeed, 

 the satisfaction which every animal feels, when it follows 

 its proper instincts, and the dissatisfaction felt when pre- 

 vented, be called selfish. 



The wishes and opinions of the members of the same 

 community, expressed at first orally, but later by writing 

 also, either form the sole guides of our conduct or greatly 

 reinforce the social instincts ; such opinions, however, have 

 sometimes a tendency directly opposed to these instincts. 

 This latter fact is well exemplified by the Law of Honor^ 

 that is, the law of the opinion of our equals, and not of all 

 our countrymen. The breach of this law, even when the 

 breach is known to be strictly accordant with true morality, 

 has caused many a man more agony than a real crime. We 

 recognize the same influence in the burning sense of shame 

 which most of us have felt, even after the interval of years, 



