An Enquiry into the Origin of Honour, and the Usefulness of Christianity in War | Page 6

hitherto kept it to my Self, and never yet mention'd to any
One, what my Sentiments are concerning the Origin of that charming
Sound.
Hor. Let me hear your Reasons however.
Cleo. The Word Honour, is used in such different Acceptations, is now
a Verb, then a Noun, sometimes taken for the Reward of Virtue,
sometimes for a Principle that leads to Virtue, and, at others again,
signifies Virtue it self; that it would be a very hard Task to take in
every Thing that belongs to it, and at the same Time avoid Confusion in
Treating of it. This is my First Reason. The Second is: That to set forth
and explain my Opinion on this Head to others with Perspicuity, would
take up so much Time, that few People would have the Patience to hear
it, or think it worth their while to bestow so much Attention, as it would
require, on what the greatest Part of Mankind would think very trifling.
Hor. This Second whets my Curiosity: pray, what is your Third
Reason?
Cleo. That the very Thing, to which, in my Opinion, Honour owes its
Birth, is a Passion in our Nature, for which there is no Word coin'd yet,
no Name that is commonly known and receiv'd in any Language.
Hor. That is very strange.
Cleo. Yet not less true. Do you remember what I said of Self-liking in

our Third Conversation, when I spoke of the Origin of Politeness?
Hor. I do; but you know, I hate Affectation and Singularity of all sorts.
Some Men are fond of uncouth Words of their own making, when there
are other Words already known, that sound better, and would equally
explain their Meaning: What you call'd then Self-liking at last prov'd to
be Pride, you know.
Cleo. Self-liking I have call'd that great Value, which all Individuals set
upon their own Persons; that high Esteem, which I take all Men to be
born with for themselves. I have proved from what is constantly
observ'd in Suicide, that there is such a Passion in Human Nature, and
that it is plainly [2] distinct from Self-love. When this Self-liking is
excessive, and so openly shewn as to give Offence to others, I know
very well it is counted a Vice and call'd Pride: But when it is kept out
of Sight, or is so well disguis'd as not to appear in its own Colours, it
has no Name, tho' Men act from that and no other Principle.
[Footnote 2: Fable of the Bees, part II. p. 141]
Hor. When what you call Self-liking, that just Esteem which Men have
naturally for themselves, is moderate, and spurs them on to good
Actions, it is very laudable, and is call'd the Love of Praise or a Desire
of the Applause of others. Why can't you take up with either of these
Names?
Cleo. Because I would not confound the Effect with the Cause. That
Men are desirous of Praise, and love to be applauded by others, is the
Result, a palpable Consequence, of that Self-liking which reigns in
Human Nature, and is felt in every one's Breast before we have Time or
Capacity to reflect and think of Any body else. What Moralists have
taught us concerning the Passions, is very superficial and defective.
Their great Aim was the Publick Peace, and the Welfare of the Civil
Society; to make Men governable, and unite Multitudes in one common
Interest.
Hor. And is it possible that Men can have a more noble Aim in
Temporals?

Cleo. I don't deny that; but as all their Labours were only tending to
those Purposes, they neglected all the rest; and if they could but make
Men useful to each other and easy to themselves, they had no Scruple
about the Means they did it by, nor any Regard to Truth or the Reality
of Things; as is evident from the gross Absurdities they have made
Men swallow concerning their own Nature, in spight of what All felt
within. In the Culture of Gardens, whatever comes up in the Paths is
weeded out as offensive and flung upon the Dunghill; out among the
Vegetables that are all thus promiscously thrown away for Weeds, there
may be many curious Plants, on the Use and Beauty of which a
Botanist would read long Lectures. The Moralists have endeavour'd to
rout Vice, and clear the Heart of all hurtful Appetites and Inclinations:
We are beholden to them for this in the same Manner as we are to
Those who destroy Vermin, and clear the Countries of all noxious
Creatures. But may not a Naturalist dissect Moles, try Experiments
upon them, and enquire into the Nature of their Handicraft, without
Offence to the Mole-catchers, whose Business it is only to kill them