Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/133

thoſe which may contribute to it; in which caſe we ſhould be obliged to conſider him as moſt virtuous, who made leaſt Reſiſtance againſt the ſimple Impulſes of Nature. But without deviating from the uſual Meaning of theſe Terms, it is proper to ſuſpend the Judgment we might form of ſuch a Situation, and be upon our guard againſt Prejudice, till, the Balance in hand, we have examined whether there are more Virtues or Vices among civilized Men; or whether the Improvement of their Underſtanding is ſufficient to compenſate the Damage which they mutually do to each other, in proportion as they become better informed of the Services which they ought to do; or whether, upon the whole, they would not be much happier in a Condition, where they had nothing to fear or to hope from each other, than in that where they have ſubmitted to an univerſal Subſerviency, and have obliged themſelves to depend for every thing up-