"From whence we may learn that to perform a meritorious Action, it is not sufficient barely to conquer a Passion, unless it likewise be done from a laudable Principle, and consequently how necessary that Clause was in the Definition of Virtue, that our Endeavours were to proceed from a rational Ambition of being Good."
— Mandeville, Bernard (bap. 1670, d. 1733)
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
J. Roberts
Date
1714, 1723 (2nd ed.)
Metaphor
"From whence we may learn that to perform a meritorious Action, it is not sufficient barely to conquer a Passion, unless it likewise be done from a laudable Principle, and consequently how necessary that Clause was in the Definition of Virtue, that our Endeavours were to proceed from a rational Ambition of being Good."
Metaphor in Context
The Reverse of Pity is Malice: I have spoke of it where I treat of Envy. Those who know what it is to examine themselves, will soon own that it is very difficult to trace the Root and Origin of this Passion. It is one of those we are most ashamed of, and therefore the hurtful part of it is easily subdued and corrected by a Judicious Education. When any body near us stumbles, it is natural even before Reflexion to stretch out our Hands to hinder or at least break the Fall, which shews that while we are Calm we are rather bent to Pity. But the Malice by it self is little to be feared, yet assisted with Pride, it is often mischievous, and becomes most terrible when egged on and heightened by Anger. There is nothing that more readily or more effectually extinguishes Pity than this Mixture, which is called Cruelty: From whence we may learn that to perform a meritorious Action, it is not sufficient barely to conquer a Passion, unless it likewise be done from a laudable Principle, and consequently how necessary that Clause was in the Definition of Virtue, that our Endeavours were to proceed from a rational Ambition of being Good.
(Vol I, pp. 259-60)
(Vol I, pp. 259-60)
Categories
Provenance
Michael Mckeon's The Secret History of Domesticity (Baltimore: JHUP, 2005), 20.
Citation
"The Grumbling Hive" was printed as a pamphlet in 1705. 1st edition of The Fable of the Bees published in 1714, 2nd edition in 1723 (with additions, essays "On Charity Schools" and "Nature of Society"). Part II publised in 1729. Kaye's text based on 6th edition of 1732.
See Bernard Mandeville, The Fable of the Bees, ed. F.B. Kaye, 2 vols.(Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1988). Orig. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1924. <Link to OLL>
See Bernard Mandeville, The Fable of the Bees, ed. F.B. Kaye, 2 vols.(Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1988). Orig. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1924. <Link to OLL>
Date of Entry
04/10/2012
Date of Review
04/10/2012
