very first feels comforted by the belief is the inconceivability of these things, is honestly bent on gaining an insight into moral things—one who still honestly believes in inspirations from above, in magic and ghostly apparitions and the metaphysical ugliness of the toad.
143
Woe, if this craving should rage!—Suppose the craving for attachment and care for others (the “sympathetic affection”) had double the power it really has, life on earth would be unbearable. Only consider how many foolish things every one is apt to do, each day and hour, out of sheer attachment and cure for his own self, and how intolerable he appears in so doing: how, if we were to become to others objects of these same follies and intrusions, with which they have hitherto only pestered themselves. Should we not flee precipitously, as soon as a “neighbour’’ approached us? And should we not apply to the sympathetic affection as foul names as those which we now apply to selfishness?
144
Closing the ears to misery.—If we allow the misery and sufferings of other mortals to cast a gloom upon us and to cloud our own sky—who then has to bear the consequences of this gloom? Surely those other same mortals, besides all their other burdens. We cannot afford them either aid or comfort by trying to
