BOOK III PART II
terest may thus blind us with regard to our
own actions, it takes not place with regard to
those of others; nor hinders them from appear-
ing in their true colours, as highly prejudicial
to public interest, and to our own in partic-
ular. This naturally gives us an uneasiness,
in considering such seditious and disloyal ac-
tions, and makes us attach to them the idea
of vice and moral deformity. It is the same
principle, which causes us to disapprove of all
kinds of private injustice, and in particular of
the breach of promises. We blame all treach-
ery and breach of faith; because we consider,
that the freedom and extent of human com-
merce depend entirely on a fidelity with regard
to promises. We blame all disloyalty to mag-
istrates; because we perceive, that the execu-
tion of justice, in the stability of possession, its
translation by consent, and the performance of