LECT. PAGE VIII. Characters of the Chief Good, applied to Intellectual Endowments, as genius, memory, judgment, taste, &c. ............. 104 IX. The Conduct of the Understanding in the acquisition of knowledge and the pursuit of Truth......... X. On the personal virtues of Fortitude, Humi- XI. On Prudence, Temperance, Industry, 115 131 XXII. The Means of procuring them............ 282 XXIII. The Laws of Domestic Life continued. 294 XXIV. On Friendship................. 305 LECTURE I. KNOWLEDGE, next to Goodness, is the most valuable of all acquisitions. It confers true dignity on the person who possesses it, enables him to perform many things of which he would otherwise be incapable, and consequently increases his power, and enlarges his sphere of usefulness; and it opens to him a variety of sources of the most refined and exalted enjoyment. Although every branch of knowledge is useful, and there is a close connection between the different sciences, as well as between Knowledge and Goodness in general, yet of all branches of knowledge, the most important is the knowledge of ourselves, of our nature, and the various powers and capacities which we possess; the relations in VII which we stand to other beings, and the duties resulting from these relations. "The proper study of mankind is Man.” This study, however, to our reproach, is very little cultivated by us, much less than it was by the ancients, although we enjoy much superior advantages for conducting it. Moral philosophy is this study: its object is human nature; the highest part of human nature-the mind; its intellectual and moral powers and their various combinations and connections: these it investigates, and from these deduces the laws of action. It is sometimes called the science of manners or duty, which it traces from man's nature and condition, and shows to terminate in his happiness. It is therefore likewise termed ethics: and from considering man as the creature of God, and obliged to obey his laws, it includes an account of the divine Perfections, and the Relations in which we stand to God, and the Duties thence resulting; in which sense, it assumes the comprehensive name of Natural Religion. In few words, Moral Philosophy is both an Art and a Science, furnishing man with a system of rules deduced from the principles of his nature, by conducting himself according to which, he will arriveat the highest pitch of moral perfection and happiness of which he is capable: in still fewer words, it is the knowledge of our duty and felicity; or the art of being virtuous and happy. It is denominated an art, as it contains a system of rules of a practical nature, for being virtuous and happy; and it is called a science, as it deduces these rules from the principles of our nature, and proves that the observance of them is productive of our happiness. which we stand to other beings, and the duties resulting from these relations. "The proper study of mankind is Man." This study, however, to our reproach, is very little cultivated by us, much less than it was by the ancients, although we enjoy much superior advantages for conducting it. Moral philosophy is this study: its object is human nature; the highest part of human nature the mind; its intellectual and moral powers and their various combinations and connections: these it investigates, and from these deduces the laws of action. It is sometimes called the science of manners or duty, which it traces from man's nature and condition, and shows to terminate in his happiness. It is therefore likewise termed ethics: and from considering man as the creature of God, and obliged to obey his laws, it |