"Not that I wou'd encourage the modern philosophy, which reduces all virtue to self-interest; for if I may hazard an unborrowed simile, the liberal mind may be compared to the Nile, which enriches the soil, from its own abundance, without requiring any return."
— Griffith, Elizabeth (1720-1793)
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for T. Cadell
Date
1776
Metaphor
"Not that I wou'd encourage the modern philosophy, which reduces all virtue to self-interest; for if I may hazard an unborrowed simile, the liberal mind may be compared to the Nile, which enriches the soil, from its own abundance, without requiring any return."
Metaphor in Context
Does not our self-love sometimes suppose merits where we bestow our favours, in order to heighten our own pleasure in the act of benevolence?--I am not at leisure now to investigate the philosophy of this idea, but I am persuaded that we are generally more strongly attached to those we have obliged, than even to those who have obliged us.--Is it not usury then to expect gratitude? Not that I wou'd encourage the modern philosophy, which reduces all virtue to self-interest; for if I may hazard an unborrowed simile, the liberal mind may be compared to the Nile, which enriches the soil, from its own abundance, without requiring any return.
(I, pp. 83-4)
(I, pp. 83-4)
Categories
Provenance
ECCO-TCP
Citation
2 entries in ESTC (1776).
The Story of Lady Juliana Harley: A Novel. In Letters. By Mrs. Griffith (London: Printed for T. Cadell, 1776). <Link to Vol. I in ECCO-TCP><Link to Vol. II in ECCO-TCP>
The Story of Lady Juliana Harley: A Novel. In Letters. By Mrs. Griffith (London: Printed for T. Cadell, 1776). <Link to Vol. I in ECCO-TCP><Link to Vol. II in ECCO-TCP>
Date of Entry
08/19/2013
