Joseph Butler
The final causes, then, of compassion are to prevent and to relieve misery.
Joseph ButlerCompassion is a call, a demand of nature, to relieve the unhappy as hunger is a natural call for food.
Joseph ButlerThus there is no doubt the eye was intended for us to see with.
Joseph ButlerThis was the man, this Balaam, I say, was the man, who desired to die the death of the righteous, and that his last end might be like his; and this was the state of his mind when he pronounced these words.
Joseph ButlerThe object of self-love is expressed in the term self; and every appetite of sense, and every particular affection of the heart, are equally interested or disinterested, because the objects of them all are equally self or somewhat else.
Joseph ButlerHappiness or satisfaction consists only in the enjoyment of those objects which are by nature suited to our several particular appetites, passions, and affections.
Joseph ButlerHowever, without considering this connection, there is no doubt but that more good than evil, more delight than sorrow, arises from compassion itself; there being so many things which balance the sorrow of it.
Joseph ButlerThings and actions are what they are, and the consequences of them will be what they will be: why then should we desire to be deceived?
Joseph ButlerLove of our neighbour, then, has just the same respect to, is no more distant from, self-love, than hatred of our neighbour, or than love or hatred of anything else.
Joseph ButlerHappiness consists in the gratification of certain affections, appetites, passions, with objects which are by nature adapted to them.
Joseph ButlerGod Almighty is, to be sure, unmoved by passion or appetite, unchanged by affection; but then it is to be added that He neither sees nor hears nor perceives things by any senses like ours; but in a manner infinitely more perfect.
Joseph ButlerThere is a much more exact correspondence between the natural and moral world than we are apt to take notice of.
Joseph ButlerPeople might love themselves with the most entire and unbounded affection, and yet be extremely miserable.
Joseph ButlerThus self-love as one part of human nature, and the several particular principles as the other part, are, themselves, their objects and ends, stated and shown.
Joseph ButlerBut to us, probability is the very guide of life.
Joseph ButlerBoth our senses and our passions are a supply to the imperfection of our nature; thus they show that we are such sort of creatures as to stand in need of those helps which higher orders of creatures do not.
Joseph ButlerConsequently it will often happen there will be a desire of particular objects, in cases where they cannot be obtained without manifest injury to others.
Joseph ButlerEvery man hath a general desire of his own happiness; and likewise a variety of particular affections, passions, and appetites to particular external objects.
Joseph ButlerThe principle we call self-love never seeks anything external for the sake of the thing, but only as a means of happiness or good: particular affections rest in the external things themselves.
Joseph ButlerThat which is the foundation of all our hopes and of all our fears; all our hopes and fears which are of any consideration: I mean a Future Life.
Joseph ButlerThe private interest of the individual would not be sufficiently provided for by reasonable and cool self-love alone; therefore the appetites and passions are placed within as a guard and further security, without which it would not be taken due care of.
Joseph Butler
