4ii 
ethical triangle,, the only question being to find its true area 
and relations ? There is no distinct opposition. 
Fortitude , said Plato, consists in maintaining a spirit of 
honour and magnanimity — Epicurus, that it consists in braving 
smaller dangers with a view of escaping greater — Christ, that 
it consists in going into Judma again, to the post of duty, 
whither the Jews lately sought to stone Him — and St. Paul, 
that it consists in that “ ecstasy of charity,” which led him to 
say, “ I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for 
my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Here, not- 
withstanding the difference which that !C life and immortality ” 
which the Gospel brought to light, must have made, we find that 
Plato assimilates very closely to Christ and His Apostles. 
Temperance, said Plato, consists in the proper subordination 
of the lower parts of human nature to the higher — Epicurus, 
that it consists in curbing the appetites with a view of attain- 
ing higher and more lasting gratification — the New Testament, 
that it consists in extending to the very thoughts and intents 
of the heart, the prohibitions of the ancient moral code, in 
“ bridling the tongue,” in “ keeping under the body, and 
bringing it into subjection.” The Platonic and the inspired 
teaching here very closely agree. 
Justice, said Plato, consists in the three subjective parts of 
the soul or nature of man (like the different parts of a state), 
so working together in their several offices as not to infringe 
upon that of each other- — Epicurus, that it consists in upright- 
ness and honesty towards others, because the reverse would 
bring shame and disgrace — the New Testament, that it con- 
sists in “ doing unto others as we would they should do unto 
us,” in “ rendering unto all their due, tribute to whom tribute 
is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to 
whom honour.” Aristotle brought the teaching of Plato into 
still closer conformity with the New Testament by making 
virtue consist in a practical habit. Love, however, as the 
mainspring, to be seen in these New Testament details, is not 
so clearly to be gathered from Plato and Epicurus. It is in 
fact not there. The agreement is one of a practical rather 
than a theoretical kind, in details rather than in first or 
foundation principles. But this shows the superiority of New 
Testament ethics over other systems, and it brings me to Mr. 
Milks views. He says : — 
“ I wonder that any one who derives his knowledge of morality from the 
New Testament can suppose that it was announced or intended as a com- 
plete doctrine of morals.” * 
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Vol. m. 
* On Liberty , p. 28. 
