BOOK III PART III
and natural, and represent to us the excellency
of the Christian religion, which places humil-
ity in the rank of virtues, and corrects the judg-
ment of the world, and even of philosophers,
who so generally admire all the efforts of pride
and ambition. Whether this virtue of humility
has been rightly understood, I shall not pretend
to determine. I am content with the conces-
sion, that the world naturally esteems a well-
regulated pride, which secretly animates our
conduct, without breaking out into such inde-
cent expressions of vanity, as many offend the
vanity of others.
The merit of pride or self-esteem is derived
from two circumstances, viz, its utility and its
agreeableness to ourselves; by which it capac-
itates us for business, and, at the same time,
gives us an immediate satisfaction. When it