The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

On Self-Interest.

In whatever scene of life we contemplate mankind, we shall find that the mark towards which every bow is bent is self-interest. A very small portion of philosophy would deter a rational man from so eagerly courting his own destruction, were it not for that natural principle, which so universally prevails, of opposing our own inclinations to the dictates of reason and good sense; and what would be a great argument to recall a deliberate person from this folly, is that half the assiduity which is employed in searching after misery and ruin, directed to the pursuit of virtue, would insure that greatest, and indeed only real blessing, namely, a calm and contented mind.

The very enjoyment of this visionary blessing is forfeiting and transitory; how vain then and fruitless must be the labour in endeavouring to attain it! yet a disappointment in this case has too often been attended by the most fatal consequences, such as absolute despair, a broken spirit, which usually terminate in self-murder. The merchant, the lawyer, the physician, and the courtier, in short, high and low, rich and poor, do not seek or endeavour to do service to human society, but grasp at preferment and self-interest. It is a lamentable idea for a man of integrity to see this gradual decline of virtue and philosophy. It is likewise a disagreeable sight to him to observe that which was meant as a blessing to mankind, prove their greatest curse: gold was certainly introduced to fix the subordination which nature designed betwixt man and man; but now, as many other excellent institutions, by misuse and corruption, only serve to increase tyranny and oppression, to swell the haughty and presumptuous vice, and to depress poor and indigent virtue.