1818 Nov. 4

Things as they are

Ch. 1. Psychological Causes

§.2. Self-regarding interest

3

Address yourself to any member of the ruling few, ask him whether selfishness has any place, whether self interest has any power in his breast, he will answer you in the negative: or rather taking the question for an affront, such will be his indignation he will remain mute. But if for a designation of self-regarding interest as above explained - if for the designation of this universally operating and indispensably necessary principle in human nature there be no other terms than these, the answer he will thereby give you is not only a notoriously {absurd} one /false one/, but a most flagrantly absurd one.

If this were all the mischief would not be great. But from /by/ /in/ the falsity from the absurdity, mark now the absurdity which is involved.

As in my breast no such interest as self interest has place no such affection as self interest has any operation, the sense of my duty is the only efficient cause by which on every occasion my conduct is influenced. But my duty is or at any rate part of my duty is to serve the universal interest to serve the whole body of the people to the utmost of my power. Such accordingly is my constant aim: and this being the case, the exclusive advantage that belongs exclusively to me is the score[?] of intellectual aptitude and active talent being moreover the fruit of situation and experience, so[?] on no occasion can I fail of possessing an indispensable title to your confidence.