BOOK III PART III
dignation in each other, not only by the im-
mediate presence of so disagreeable a subject
of comparison, but also by the contrariety of
our judgments. In like manner, therefore, as
we establish the laws of nature, in order to se-
cure property in society, and prevent the oppo-
sition of self-interest; we establish the rules of
good-breeding, in order to prevent the oppo-
sition of men’s pride, and render conversation
agreeable and inoffensive. Nothing is more dis-
agreeable than a man’s over-weaning conceit of
himself: Every one almost has a strong propen-
sity to this vice: No one can well distinguish in
himself betwixt the vice and virtue, or be cer-
tain, that his esteem of his own merit is well-
founded: For these reasons, all direct expres-
sions of this passion are condemned; nor do
we make any exception to this rule in favour of
men of sense and merit. They are not allowed