BOOK III PART I
ity is derived from this supposed falshood in
action, provided you can give me any plausi-
ble reason, why such a falshood is immoral. If
you consider rightly of the matter, you will find
yourself in the same difficulty as at the begin-
ning.
This last argument is very conclusive; be-
cause, if there be not an evident merit or turpi-
tude annexed to this species of truth or fala-
hood, It can never have any influence upon
our actions. For, who ever thought of forbear-
ing any action, because others might possibly
draw false conclusions from it? Or, who ever
performed any, that he might give rise to true
conclusions?)
Thus upon the whole, it is impossible, that
the distinction betwixt moral good and evil,
can be made to reason; since that distinction