BOOK III PART I
good and evil,from what principles it derived, and
whence does it arise in the human mind?To this I
reply, first, that it is absurd to imagine, that in
every particular instance, these sentiments are
produced by an original quality and primary
constitution. For as the number of our duties
is, in a manner, infinite, it is impossible that
our original instincts should extend to each of
them, and from our very first infancy impress
on the human mind all that multitude of pre-
cepts, which are contained in the compleatest
system of ethics. Such a method of proceed-
ing is not conformable to the usual maxims, by
which nature is conducted, where a few princi-
ples produce all that variety we observe in the
universe, and every thing is carryed on in the
easiest and most simple manner. It is necessary,
therefore, to abridge these primary impulses,
and find some more general principles, upon