BOOK III PART III
pay our superiors, according to our foregoing
reasonings on that passion (Book II. Part II.
Sect. X.). Sometimes even envy and hatred
arise from the comparison; but in the great-
est part of men, it rests at respect and esteem.
As sympathy has such a powerful influence on
the human mind, it causes pride to have, in
some measure, the same effect as merit; and
by making us enter into those elevated senti-
ments, which the proud man entertains of him-
self, presents that comparison, which is so mor-
tifying and disagreeable. Our judgment does
not entirely accompany him in the flattering
conceit, in which he pleases himself; but still
is so shaken as to receive the idea it presents,
and to give it an influence above the loose con-
ceptions of the imagination. A man, who, in
an idle humour, would form a notion of a per-
son of a merit very much superior to his own,