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And that the generality of men are accustomed to apply the term

to denominate those who do give such things to themselves is

quite plain: suppose, for instance, that a man were anxious to

do, more than other men, acts of justice, or self-mastery, or any

other virtuous acts, and, in general, were to secure to himself

that which is abstractedly noble and honourable, no one would

call him Self-loving, nor blame him.

Yet might such an one be judged to be more truly Self-loving:

certainly he gives to himself the things which are most noble and

most good, and gratifies that Principle of his nature which is

most rightfully authoritative, and obeys it in everything: and

just as that which possesses the highest authority is thought to

constitute a Community or any other system, so also in the case

of Man: and so he is most truly Self-loving who loves and

gratifies this Principle.