Page:Essays on the Principles of Human Action (1835).djvu/42

 alone fixed and invariable. As however the force of previous habit is and always must be on the side of selfish feelings, it is some consolation to think that the force of the habit we may oppose to this is seconded by reason and the natural disposition of the mind, and that we are not obliged at last to establish generosity and virtue "lean pensioners" on self-interest.