456 DOCTRINE OP THE PASSIONS. If this sense of our weakness spring not from a just judg- ment and estimation of things, but merely from a certain frailty and infirmity of the mind, and arise to a greater degree than it %night, and especially if it sink the spirits,.and overwhelm us with an unreasonable confusion, it is called abjectness of spirit, which often appears in a sort of aukwardness inbehaviour, in perpetual and unreasonable bashfulness, in sheepish and downcast looks, and unmanly carriage and conduct. From this abjectness of spirit, rises cowardice and meanness of soul, and an inability to attempt any thing great and glorious, as well as an inclination to practice mean and low flatteries, and base submissions -without reason. But, -on the other hand, if a man has too high an esteem of his own-good qualities, and his own merit, this excites the vicious affections of nridè and self- sufficience, conceit and vanity. This is sometimes called arro- gance, because it assumes and attributes to self more than is due : Sometimes it is termed self- admiration ; but then the word ad- miration here does-not signify wonder, but-esteem From this pride and self-conceit, many times spring an un- due courage, or boldness to attempt what is too high and hard for us ; which is properly called temerity, or rashness, and is not true fortitude, or greatness. of soul. Hence also arise'haughti- ness and insolence in our carriage toward our fellow- creatures, and scorn and disdain toward those whom we think much be= neath us. We have so much of pride, Vanity, and self-love in us by nature, that we take all occasions to borrow from every thing that has any relation to us, some fine plumes to dress ourselves in, and to advance our self-esteem. We value ourselves for our country or nation, for our native town; for our ancestors or family, if any thing excellent or honourable have been ever re- . ported concerning them. We ire so senseless, as to pride our- selves in being first in trifles,or chief even in worthless or vicious qualities. This evil principle of pride is discovered oftentimes by an affected mein and air, by a toss of the head, by a lofty look, by a stately and strutting gait and gesture,by dwelling at a looking- glass, by talking much of one's self or family, by speaking to equals in a scornful tone, as though they were much our infe- riors, and by speaking to inferiors and treating them as though they werecattle. Though the terms of scorn and disdain are generally ap- plied to the character of pride and arrogance, yet they may be sometimes used in a good sense; as when a man óf honour, a man of virtue, a person of 'a. generous and great soul disdains and scorns to stoop to any mean and base practice, even under the strongest temptations.
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