Seneca's Morals (Volume 2); By Way of Abstract. to Which Is Added, a Discourse, Under the Title of an After-Thought - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1803. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Clemency netiiieU. CLEM EN CV. T HE humanity and excellence of this virtue is confessed at all hands, as well by the men of pleasure, and those that think every man was made for himself: as by the Stoics, that make -man a sociable creature, and born for the common good of mankind; for it is, of all dispositions, the most peaceable and quiet. But before we enter any farther upon the discourse, it should be first known what clemency is, that we may distinguish it from pity, which is a weakness, though many times mistaken for a virtue; ^nd the next thing will be, to bring the mind to -the habit and exercise of it. * Clemency is a favourable disposition of the mind, in the manner of inflicting punishment; or, a moderation that remits somewhat of the penalty incurred; as pardon is the total remission of a •deserved punishment. We must be careful not •to confound clemency with pity; for as religion worships God, and superstition profanes that VOL. II. c Clemency profitable for all. worship, so should we distinguish betwixt clemency and pity; practising the one, and avoiding the other. For pity proceeds from a narrowness of mind, that respects rather the fortune than the cause. It is a -kind of moral siekness, contracted from other people's misfortunes; such another weakness as laughing, or yawning'for company; or, as that of sick eyes, that cannot look upon others that are bleared, without dropping themselves. I will give a shipwrecked man 'a ipiank, a lodging to a stranger, or a piece of money to him that wants it: 1 will dry up the tears of my friend, yet I will not weep with hira, but treat him with constancy and humanity, as one man ought to treat another. It is objected by some, that clemency is an insignificant virtue; and that only the bad ...

Die Inhaltsangabe kann sich auf eine andere Ausgabe dieses Titels beziehen.