Philosophumena; or, The refutation of all heresies, Volume I — David Hume — John Shaqi
Philosophumena; or, The refutation of all heresies, Volume I
David Hume · en
they say that he declares the things concerning the soul to be alone
supremely good, but those of the body or external to it to be no longer
supremely good, but only said to be so. And that these last are very
often named intermediates also; for they can be used both well and
ill. He says therefore that the virtues are extremes as to honour, but
means as to substance.[119] For there is nothing more honourable than
virtue; but that which goes beyond or falls short of these virtues ends
in vice. For instance, he says that these are the four virtues, to wit,
Prudence, Temperance, Justice, and Fortitude, and that there follow on
each of these two vices of excess and deficiency respectively. Thus on
Prudence follow thoughtlessness by deficiency and cunning by excess; on
Temperance, intemperance by deficiency and sluggishness by excess; on
Justice, over-modesty by deficiency and greediness by excess; and on
Fortitude, [Sidenote: p. 37.] cowardice by deficiency and foolhardiness
by excess.[120] And these virtues when inborn in a man operate for
his perfection and give him happiness. But he says that happiness is
likeness to God as far as possible. And that any one is like God when
he becomes holy and just with intention. For this he supposes to be the
aim of the highest wisdom and virtue.[121] But he says that the virtues
follow one another in turn and are of one kind, and never oppose one
another; but that the vices are many-shaped and sometimes follow and
sometimes oppose one another.[122]