Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/147

termines this Deſire, and fixes it upon a particular Object to the Excluſion of all others, or at leaſt gives it a greater Degree of Energy for this preferred Object. Now it is eaſy to perceive that the moral Part of Love is a factitious Sentiment, engendered by Society, and cried up by the Women with great Care and Addreſs in order to eſtabliſh their Empire, and ſecure Command to that Sex which ought to obey. This Sentiment, being founded on certain Notions of Beauty and Merit which a Savage is not capable of having, and upon Compariſons which he is not capable of making, can ſcarcely exiſt in him: for as his Mind was never in a Condition to form abſtract Ideas of Regularity and Proportion, neither is his Heart ſuſceptible of Sentiments of Admiration and Love, which, even without our perceiving it, are produced by our Application of theſe Ideas; he liſtens ſolely to