Page:Ferrier Works vol 2 1888 LECTURES IN GREEK PHILOSOPHY.pdf/333

278 stand, as you are aware, in no very good repute; they are usually represented as inimical to virtue, preaching maxims of immorality, as inculcating a life of enjoyment and self-indulgence; but it is truer to say of them that the scope and tendency of their exhortations rather is to impose a check on the vehemence of man's passions, to curb his appetites, and to set limits to his irregular inclinations. Even the lowest of these systems, even mere hedonism, goes as far as this; it does not inculcate the pursuit of pleasure; it assumes that that requires no teaching, having been already sufficiently taught by nature; but it holds that, in connection with this pursuit, there is something which does require to be 'taught, something in respect to which nature affords us no lessons; and that is, prudence and moderation in the indulgence of our appetites and desires. Indulge your appetites and inclinations, say these systems, speaking with the voice of nature; but indulge them wisely and with moderation, they add, speaking with the voice of philosophy, otherwise the very happiness which is your aim will be dashed to pieces in the moment of enjoyment. It is a mistake, therefore, to suppose that these systems are essentially of an immoral character. Their standard of morality may not be high, but it rises above the standard of mere nature. Nature's dictate is, Pursue pleasure. These systems add, But let your pursuit be guided and controlled by prudential considerations. And in so far as this advice was attended to in the primitive ages