BOOK III PART III
hypothesis. Here is a man, who is not remark-
ably defective in his social qualities; but what
principally recommends him is his dexterity in
business, by which he has extricated himself
from the greatest difficulties, and conducted
the most delicate affairs with a singular ad-
dress and prudence. I find an esteem for him
immediately to arise in me: His company is
a satisfaction to me; and before I have any
farther acquaintance with him, I would rather
do him a service than another, whose character
is in every other respect equal, but is deficient
in that particular. In this case, the qualities that
please me are all considered as useful to the
person, and as having a tendency to promote
his interest and satisfaction. They are only
regarded as means to an end, and please me
in proportion to their fitness for that end. The
end, therefore, must be agreeable to me. But