A Treatise of Human Nature - Volume 2

Part I. Of pride and humility.

temperaments and dispositions of men; and is, besides, very insignificant. Can we imagine it possible that, while human nature remains the same, men will ever become entirely indifferent to their power, riches, beauty, or personal merit, and that their pride and vanity will not be affected by these advantages?

But though the causes of pride and humility are plainly natural, we shall find upon examination that they are not original, and that it is utterly impossible they should each be adapted to these passions by a specific provision and primary constitution of nature. Besides their enormous number, many of them are the effects of art, and arise partly from the industry, partly from the caprice, and partly from the good fortune of men. Industry produces houses, furniture, and clothes. Caprice determines their particular kinds and qualities. And good fortune frequently contributes to all this by discovering the effects that result from the different mixtures and combinations of bodies. It is absurd, therefore, to imagine that each of these was foreseen and provided for by nature, and that every new production of art which causes pride or humility—instead of adapting itself to
the