BOOK III PART III
momentary appearances of things, and over-
look our present situation.
It is therefore from the influence of charac-
ters and qualities, upon those who have an in-
tercourse with any person, that we blame or
praise him. We consider not whether the per-
sons, affected by the qualities, be our acquain-
tance or strangers, countrymen or foreigners.
Nay, we over-look our own interest in those
general judgments; and blame not a man for
opposing us in any of our pretensions, when
his own interest is particularly concerned. We
make allowance for a certain degree of self-
ishness in men; because we know it to be in-
separable from human nature, and inherent in
our frame and constitution. By this reflection
we correct those sentiments of blame, which so
naturally arise upon any opposition.