BOOK III PART II
the most deeply radicated in our internal con-
stitution.
What farther contributes to encrease their so-
lidity, is the interest of our reputation, after the
opinion, that a merit or demerit attends justice
or injustice, is once firmly established among
mankind. There is nothing, which touches us
more nearly than our reputation, and nothing
on which our reputation more depends than
our conduct, with relation to the property of
others. For this reason, every one, who has any
regard to his character, or who intends to live
on good terms with mankind, must fix an invi-
olable law to himself, never, by any temptation,
to be induced to violate those principles, which
are essential to a man of probity and honour.
I shall make only one observation before I
leave this subject, viz, that though I assert, that