BOOK II PART I
is the object of pride and humility; and when-
ever the passions look beyond, it is still with a
view to ourselves, nor can any person or object
otherwise have any influence upon us.
That this proceeds from an original quality
or primary impulse, will likewise appear evi-
dent, if we consider that it is the distinguish-
ing characteristic of these passions Unless na-
ture had given some original qualities to the
mind, it coued never have any secondary ones;
because in that case it would have no foun-
dation for action, nor coued ever begin to ex-
ert itself. Now these qualities, which we must
consider as original, are such as are most in-
separable from the soul, and can be resolved
into no other: And such is the quality, which
determines the object of pride and humility.
We may, perhaps, make it a greater question,