BOOK II PART II
my breast, conformable to whatever I imagine
in his. If I diminish the vivacity of the first
conception, I diminish that of the related ideas;
as pipes can convey no more water than what
arises at the fountain. By this diminution I de-
stroy the future prospect, which is necessary
to interest me perfectly in the fortune of an-
other. I may feel the present impression, but
carry my sympathy no farther, and never trans-
fuse the force of the first conception into my
ideas of the related objects. If it be another’s
misery, which is presented in this feeble man-
ner, I receive it by communication, and am af-
fected with all the passions related to it: But as I
am not so much interested as to concern myself
in his good fortune, as well as his bad, I never
feel the extensive sympathy, nor the passions
related to it.