-
Articles/Ads
Article ON COMPASSION. ← Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Compassion.
receives , or communicates , the smallest portion of their influence . From the impassioned feelings of the mother , to him who stands joyless on the verge of apathy , the tide of affection flows in a long and devious course . Clear , full , and vehement , it descends into the vale of life , where , after a short time , becoming tranquil and serene , it separates into many branches ; and these , again divided , \ vander _ the sweets of
in a thousand streams , dispensing as they move along health and happiness . That no felicity exists independent of a susceptibility for these emotions , is a certain fact ; for to the heart of him who hath ' been cold to filial or fraternal duty , the soothing charm of friendship and of love will ever be unknown . It is . therefore evident , thatto be happyman must invariablconsult the well-being of others ;
, , y to his fellow-creatures he must attribute the bliss which he enjoys ; it is a reward proportional to the exertion of his philanthrophy . Abstract the man of virtue and benevolence from society , and you cut off the prime source of his happ iness ; he has no proper object on which to place his affection , or exercise his humanity ; the sudden rapture of the grateful heartthe tender tones of friendshipand the
, , melting sweetness of expressive love , no longer thrill upon his ear , or swell his softened soul ; all is an aching void , a cheerless and almost unproductive waste ; yet even in this situation , barren as it is , where none are found to pour the balm of pity , or listen to the plaint of sorrow , even here some enjoyment is derived from letting loose our affections upon inanimate nature . " Where in a desert ( says sweet
Sterne ) 1 could not do better , I would fasten them upon some myrtle , or seek some melancholy cypress to connect myself to . I would court their shade , and greet them kindly for their protection , I would cut my name upon them , and swear they were the loveliest trees throughout the desert . If their leaves withered , 1 would teach myself to and when they rejoicedI would rejoice with them . '
mourn , , That man was formed for society , seems a truth too well established , and the benefits arising from such an union so apparent , that few would ever suppose it to have been doubted ; yet have there been philosophers , whom hypothesis , or the love of eccentricity , led to prefer that period , the noble
When wild in woods , savage ran . An election so absurd , merits not a serious refutation ; every day ' s experience must convince the man of observation , that our happiness depends upon the cultivation of our social duties , upon the nurture of humanity and benevolence , that our crimes are nearly in proportion to the rupture of domestic harmony , and that the flagitious deeds which glare upon us with so horrid an aspect , are often the consethe still small voice of duty and of
quences of indirect deviation from love . He , who has been accustomed to despise the feelings of the son , ' the husband , and the friend , will not often be found proof against the allurements of interest and of vice . He , who ( unless driven by hunger and despair ) lifts up his daring arm to arrest the property or the life of his fellow-creature , never felt those soft sensa- ? tions which arise from the consciousness of being beloved ; for let no
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Compassion.
receives , or communicates , the smallest portion of their influence . From the impassioned feelings of the mother , to him who stands joyless on the verge of apathy , the tide of affection flows in a long and devious course . Clear , full , and vehement , it descends into the vale of life , where , after a short time , becoming tranquil and serene , it separates into many branches ; and these , again divided , \ vander _ the sweets of
in a thousand streams , dispensing as they move along health and happiness . That no felicity exists independent of a susceptibility for these emotions , is a certain fact ; for to the heart of him who hath ' been cold to filial or fraternal duty , the soothing charm of friendship and of love will ever be unknown . It is . therefore evident , thatto be happyman must invariablconsult the well-being of others ;
, , y to his fellow-creatures he must attribute the bliss which he enjoys ; it is a reward proportional to the exertion of his philanthrophy . Abstract the man of virtue and benevolence from society , and you cut off the prime source of his happ iness ; he has no proper object on which to place his affection , or exercise his humanity ; the sudden rapture of the grateful heartthe tender tones of friendshipand the
, , melting sweetness of expressive love , no longer thrill upon his ear , or swell his softened soul ; all is an aching void , a cheerless and almost unproductive waste ; yet even in this situation , barren as it is , where none are found to pour the balm of pity , or listen to the plaint of sorrow , even here some enjoyment is derived from letting loose our affections upon inanimate nature . " Where in a desert ( says sweet
Sterne ) 1 could not do better , I would fasten them upon some myrtle , or seek some melancholy cypress to connect myself to . I would court their shade , and greet them kindly for their protection , I would cut my name upon them , and swear they were the loveliest trees throughout the desert . If their leaves withered , 1 would teach myself to and when they rejoicedI would rejoice with them . '
mourn , , That man was formed for society , seems a truth too well established , and the benefits arising from such an union so apparent , that few would ever suppose it to have been doubted ; yet have there been philosophers , whom hypothesis , or the love of eccentricity , led to prefer that period , the noble
When wild in woods , savage ran . An election so absurd , merits not a serious refutation ; every day ' s experience must convince the man of observation , that our happiness depends upon the cultivation of our social duties , upon the nurture of humanity and benevolence , that our crimes are nearly in proportion to the rupture of domestic harmony , and that the flagitious deeds which glare upon us with so horrid an aspect , are often the consethe still small voice of duty and of
quences of indirect deviation from love . He , who has been accustomed to despise the feelings of the son , ' the husband , and the friend , will not often be found proof against the allurements of interest and of vice . He , who ( unless driven by hunger and despair ) lifts up his daring arm to arrest the property or the life of his fellow-creature , never felt those soft sensa- ? tions which arise from the consciousness of being beloved ; for let no