BOOK III PART III
of it so elevates the mind, that we cannot refuse
it our admiration. The pain, which we receive
from its tendency to the prejudice of society, is
over-powered by a stronger and more immedi-
ate sympathy.
Thus our explication of the merit or demerit,
which attends the degrees of pride or self-
esteem, may serve as a strong argument for the
preceding hypothesis, by shewing the effects of
those principles above explained in all the vari-
ations of our judgments concerning that pas-
sion. Nor will this reasoning be advantageous
to us only by shewing, that the distinction of
vice and virtue arises from the four principles
of the advantage and of the pleasure of the per-
son himself, and of others: But may also afford
us a strong proof of some under-parts of that
hypothesis.