13 Jan y 1817

Necessity Cat

1. Theory

§.4. Probity how securable

5

 Added in this sheet? 1. Relation of interest to happiness. 2. Universality of the sacrifice of public to private interest - East India directors &c

Q. 5. You mean that in case of conflict between interest and interest, a man’s conduct, in the situation in question more particularly will be determined by the stronger interest: and that very frequently in the situation in question the personal and sinister interest will to the stronger interest: that by producing a diminution in the general /universal/ happiness it will be in his power to gain to himself more happiness or at any rate more of the ordinary means and instruments of happiness than by giving encrease to the general /universal/ happiness: and even by means by which a diminution will be effected in /of/ the stock of general happiness will be produced.

A. Yes: this is what I mean: viz. that for any such prospect as that of an /a distribution or/ allotment to be made of the powers of government individuals being unknown, the only supposition that can normally be acted upon is - that of those by whom these powers are possessed and exercised the conduct will on each occasion be determined by the stronger interest: i.e. if as is commonly the case there be a multitude of interests operating /acting/ on each of the two opposite sides, by the stronger body of interest.