Page:A Philosophical Inquiry Concerning Human Liberty (Foote).djvu/71

 direction and assistance. And Tasso gives the Christians in their holy war, divine assistance.

Orators also, and historians think necessary actions the proper subjects of praise. Cicero, when he maintained that the Gods inspired Milo with the design and courage to kill Clodius, did not intend to lessen the satisfaction or glory of Milo, but on the contrary to augment it. But can there be a finer commendation than that given by Velleius Paterculus to Cato, that he was good by nature because he could not be otherwise? For that alone is true goodness which flows from disposition, whether that disposition be natural or acquired. Such goodness may be depended on, and will seldom or never fail. Whereas goodness founded on any reasonings whatsoever, is a very precarious thing; as may be seen by the lives of the greatest declaimers against vice who, though they are constantly acquainting themselves with all the topics that can be drawn from the excellency of goodness or virtue, and the mischiefs of vice; the rewards that attend the one and the punishments that attend the other; yet are not better than those who are never conversant in such topics. Lastly, the common proverb, gaudeant bene nati, is a general commendation of men for what plainly in no sense depends on them.

IV. Fourthly, it is objected that if all events are necessary, then there is a period fixed to every man’s life, and if there is a period fixed to every man’s life, then it cannot be shortened by want of care or violence offered or disease, nor can it be prolonged by care or physic, and if it cannot be shortened or prolonged by them, then it is useless to avoid or use any of these things.

In answer to which, I grant that if the period of human life be fixed (as I contend it is) it cannot but happen at the time fixed, and nothing can fall out to prolong or shorten that period. Neither such want of