BOOK III PART III
all visible objects causes a pleasure pretty much
the same, though it be sometimes derived from
the mere species and appearance of the ob-
jects; sometimes from sympathy, and an idea of
their utility. In like manner, whenever we sur-
vey the actions and characters of men, without
any particular interest in them, the pleasure, or
pain, which arises from the survey (with some
minute differences) is, in the main, of the same
kind, though perhaps there be a great diversity
in the causes, from which it is derived. On the
other hand, a convenient house, and a virtuous
character, cause not the same feeling of appro-
bation; even though the source of our appro-
bation be the same, and flow from sympathy
and an idea of their utility. There is something
very inexplicable in this variation of our feel-
ings; but it is what we have experience of with
regard to all our passions and sentiments.