21 April 1805

Evidence

Securities

Ch. Procedure Technical

''.2. Objects pursued

''.2. Objects pursued /aimed at/ under the constructs of those interests.

The dictates of interest being given, and the means of recognizing them in that character, not being wanting, the objects pursued under the impulse of that interest, power necessary to the pursuing them with effect being also present, will also be given. Such is the constitution of human nature

Not in the case of each /every/ individual taken separately: because in consequence of the variations produced by idiosyncrasy, every sort of interest, every sort of motive, every object of desire or aversion does not act upon all men nor upon any man at all times, with exactly equal force: but this constancy and consistency of action which would in vain be looked for on the part of the individual, may be looked for with confidence in the species or class. Titius and Sempronius may be governed for the moment by this interest, the pleasure or pain /by the motive, by the motive/, by the virtue or vice, of the moment: Titius more obedient to social interests and motives frequently led by that means into virtuous course, Sempronius under the governance of self-regarding or [...?] interests and motives and thence more frequently led astray by that means into vitious courses: but of Titius and Sempronius and their brethren taken together /collectively/ it may always be predicted /affirmed/ and reckoned /acted/ upon with assurance, that the objects pursued through life, will be the objects indicated by the dictates of general interest through the whole of life: and in a word that the objects pursued in conjunction through a course of ages will be the objects indicated by the dictates of the predominant interest to /by/ the action of which they are brought upon during that space of time.