In connection with the discussion of anger and of pride, define such
terms as hate, envy, malice. Hatred is anger become chronic. Or we may
also say the state of mind which leads to passionate paroxysms in the
case of anger is called hate when it has turned into a settled inward
disposition. In other respects the characteristic marks of both are the
same. Envy is the obverse of pride. Pride is based on real or fancied
superiority to others. Envy is due to real or fancied inferiority. Pride
is the vice of the strong, envy of the weak. Malice is pleasure in the
loss of others irrespective of our gain.
I have observed on a previous occasion that the feelings considered by
themselves have no moral value. Nevertheless, we have now repeatedly
spoken of moral feelings. The apparent contradiction disappears if we
remember that all feelings of the higher order presuppose, and are the
echo of complex systems of ideas. The moral feelings are those in which
moral ideas have their resonance; and those feelings are valuable in
virtue of the ideas which they reflect. The feeling of moral courage
depends on the idea that the injuries we receive at the hands of fortune
are not important, but that it is important for us to do credit to our
rational nature. The feeling of moral indignation depends on the idea
that the injuries we receive from our fellow-men are not important, but
that it is important that the right be done and the wrong abated. The
feelings of moral dignity and humility combined depend on the idea that
it does not signify whether the shadow we cast in the world of men be
long or short, but only that we live in the light of the moral aims.
FOOTNOTE:
[16] See, e. g., the famous passage in Seneca, De Ira, iii, 15.
XIII.
DUTIES WHICH RELATE TO OTHERS.
FILIAL DUTIES.
We began our course of moral instruction with the self-regarding duties,
and assigned the second place to the duties which relate to others.
There is an additional reason besides the one already given for keeping
to this order.
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