"David Hume - Of the Rise and Progress of the Arts and Sciences" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hume David)

and insincerity; so the ancient simplicity, which is naturally
so amiable and affecting, often degenerates into rusticity and
abuse, scurrility and obscenity.

If the superiority in politeness should be allowed to modern
times, the modern notions of gallantry, the natural produce of
courts and monarchies, will probably be assigned as the causes
of this refinement. No one denies this invention to be
modern:[14] But some of the more zealous partizans of the
ancients, have asserted it to be foppish and ridiculous, and a
reproach, rather than a credit, to the present age.[15] It may
here be proper to examine this question.

Nature has implanted in all living creatures an affection
between the sexes, which, even in the fiercest and most
rapacious animals, is not merely confined to the satisfaction
of the bodily appetite, but begets a friendship and mutual
sympathy, which runs through the whole tenor of their lives.
Nay, even in those species, where nature limits the indulgence
of this appetite to one season and to one object, and forms a
kind of marriage or association between a single male and
female, there is yet a visible complacency and benevolence,
which extends farther, and mutually softens the affections of
the sexes towards each other. How much more must this have
place in man, where the confinement of the appetite is not
natural; but either is derived accidentally from some strong
charm of love, or arises from reflections on duty and
convenience? Nothing, therefore, can proceed less from
affectation than the passion of gallantry. It is natural in
the highest degree. Art and education, in the most elegant
courts, make no more alteration on it, than on all the other
laudable passions. They only turn the mind more towards it;
they refine it; they polish it; and give it a proper grace and
expression.

But gallantry is as generous as it is natural. To correct such
gross vices, as lead us to commit real injury on others, is
the part of morals, and the object of the most ordinary
education. Where that is not attended to, in some degree, no
human society can subsist. But in order to render
conversation, and the intercourse of minds more easy and
agreeable, good-manners have been invented, and have carried
the matter somewhat farther. Wherever nature has given the
mind a propensity to any vice, or to any passion disagreeable
to others, refined breeding has taught men to throw the biass
on the opposite side, and to preserve, in all their behaviour,
the appearance of sentiments different from those to which
they naturally incline. Thus, as we are commonly proud and
selfish, and apt to assume the preference above others, a
polite man learns to behave with deference towards his