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402 of that will. If we could read directly the minds of other men, we should judge them by their own inherent beauty and deformity, and not by that beauty and deformity as shown in their outward conduct and demeanour. But we cannot do this. We can only judge of what is within from our observation of what is without, and from that which shows itself overtly we judge of the hidden character. Hence it is that we often seem, even to ourselves, to be expending all our indignation on vicious actions, when in reality it is the vicious will of the agent which moves our resentment.

41. In explaining this apparent transference of our judgment from the will to the act, there is another circumstance of still greater importance to be attended to, this, namely, that the act is only the will completed. Till the moment of action, the last decision of the will is uncertain. A man knows not what he has the heart to do till the moment of action arrive. He goes forth armed for the execution of his purpose, but it is possible that compunction or remorse may hold him back; and hence, while the action is unperformed, the intention, too, of the agent must be regarded as uncertain, and we cannot pronounce an infallible judgment until the action has tested it. So long as the hand is restrained, the mind remains free; the will may still recoil from the deed of guilt on which it may have resolved. But when the act is consummated, all doubt is put an end to;