The terms right and wrong, as used by mankind, always have reference to some _plan_ or _design_. Any thing is called right when it fulfills the design for which it is made, and it is called wrong when it does not. Thus a watch is right when it fulfills its design in keeping time. A compass is right when it points to the north. And so of all contrivances. Of course, then, the question as to the right and wrong action of mind involves a reference to the _object_ or _design_ of the Author of mind. At this time it will be assumed (the proof being reserved for future pages) that the design or object for which God made mind was _to produce the greatest possible happiness with the least possible evil_. It is also assumed, without here exhibiting the proof, that the impression of this design is so inwrought into the mental constitution that whatever is perceived to be destructive to happiness is felt to be _wrong_--that is, _unfitted_ to the design of the Author of all things, which the mind _feels_ often when it can not logically set forth the reason. So, also, whatever is seen to promote the greatest amount of happiness is felt to be right. The mind is so constituted that, without any act of reasoning as to the tendencies of things, there are certain feelings and actions that the mind turns from as _unfit_ and to be abhorred. Thus, when plighted faith is violated, or a great benefactor treated with cruelty and indignity by those he has benefited, a feeling of unfitness and abhorrence is awakened, independent of all considerations of the tendency of such conduct to destroy happiness. In like manner, there are certain acts of gratitude and benevolence that always awaken approval and admiration as suitable and right, without any reference to future tendencies or results. At the same time, it is true that when, by a process of reasoning, it is seen that the _tendency_ of any course of conduct is to diminish happiness or inflict evil without compensating good, there arises the same feeling of disapproval of it as wrong, and unfitted to the end for which all things are made. This is often the case when there is no definite, distinct idea of what the great design of the Creator may be. This belief and feeling of unfitness and wrongfulness is common to all sane minds. It is true that there are different views of what actions are destructive to happiness, but when there is a clear perception that a given act will do great harm and no good, every mind will feel that it is wrong; and when it is seen that any act will do good without any evil, it is felt to be right. And this is so universal, that if any one should be found to talk and act with a contrary belief, he would be regarded as having lost a part of that which constitutes him a rational being. The eighth intuitive truth is, that THE EVIDENCE OF OUR SENSES IS RELIABLE.