BOOK III PART III
another’s pleasure naturally gives us pleasure; and
therefore produces pain, when compared with our
own. His pain, considered in itself, is painful; but
augments the idea of our own happiness, and gives
us pleasure.
Since then those principles of sympathy, and
a comparison with ourselves, are directly con-
trary, it may be worth while to consider, what
general rules can be formed, beside the partic-
ular temper of the person, for the prevalence
of the one or the other. Suppose I am now in
safety at land, and would willingly reap some
pleasure from this consideration: I must think
on the miserable condition of those who are
at sea in a storm, and must endeavour to ren-
der this idea as strong and lively as possible,
in order to make me more sensible of my own
happiness. But whatever pains I may take, the