910
Can it be anything but compliance with the world which makes you find things probable? Will you make us believe that it is truth, and that if duelling were not the fashion, you would find it probable that they might fight, considering the matter in itself?
911
Must we kill to prevent there being any wicked? This is to make both parties wicked instead of one. Vince in bono malum.[1] (Saint Augustine.)
912
Universal.—Ethics and language are special, but universal sciences.
913
Probability.—Each one can employ it; no one can take it away.
914
They allow lust to act, and check scruples; whereas they should do the contrary.
915
Montalte.—Lax opinions please men so much, that it is strange that theirs displease. It is because they have exceeded all bounds. Again, there are many people who see the truth, and who cannot attain to it; but there are few who do not know that the purity of religion is opposed to our corruptions. It is absurd to say that an eternal recompense is offered to the morality of Escobar.
916
Probability.—They have some true principles; but they misuse them. Now, the abuse of truth ought to be as much punished as the introduction of falsehood.
As if there were two hells, one for sins against love, the other for those against justice!
- ↑ Romans xii. 21.
