Page:An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals - Hume (1751).djvu/257

 one general Foundation, and may be accounted for by the different Views, which People take of these Circumstances.

Men differ in their Judgment about the Usefulness of any Habit or Action: Sometimes also the peculiar Circumstances of Things render one moral Quality more useful than others, and give it a peculiar Preference.

' not surprising, that, during a Period of War and Disorder, the military Virtues should be more celebrated than the pacific, and attract more the Admiration and Attention of Mankind. "How usual is it," says Tully, "to find Cimbrians, Celtiberians, and other Barbarians, who bear, with inflexible Constancy, all the Fatigues and Dangers of the Field; but are immediately dispirited under the Suffrance and Hazard of a languishing Distemper: While, on the other hand, the Greeks patiently endure the slow Approaches of Death, when arm'd with Sickness and Disease; but timorously fly his Presence, when he attacks them violently with Swords and Falchions!" So opposite is even the same Virtue of Courage amongst warlike or peaceful Nations! And indeed, we may