...pictures of virtue in one's mind," said Bishop Butler, " is so far from necessarily or certainly conducive to form a habit of it in him who thus employs himself, that it may even harden the mind in a contrary course, and render it gradually more insensible." Amusement in moderation...

...incapacitating us for their discharge. According to that locus classicus in Bishop Butler's Sermons : " Going over the theory of virtue in one's thoughts, talking well, and drawing fine pictures ot it, — this is so far from necessarily or certainly conducing to form a habit of it in him who...

...properly acts. . . . All these, therefore, may and will contribute towards forming good habits. But going over the theory of virtue in one's thoughts,...contrary course, and render it gradually more insensible — that is, form a habit of insensibility to all moral considerations. For, from our very faculty...

...treatise occur some observations which remind one of the celebrated passage in which Butler shows that " going over the theory of virtue in one's thoughts, talking well and drawing fine pictures of it, is so far from necessarily or certainly conducing to form a habit of it in him who thus employs himself,...

...in his 'Analogy,' says, 'All habits are acquired by exercise, and are strengthened by exercise ; but going over the theory of virtue in one's thoughts,...necessarily or certainly conducing to form a habit of any virtue in him who thus employs himself, that it may harden the mind in the contrary course, and...

...he who has become familiar with such motives without corresponding action. " Going," says Butler, " over the theory of virtue in one's thoughts, talking...that it may harden the mind in a contrary course, — that is, form a habit of insensibility to all moral considerations." But •while the above gives...

...such motives without corresponding action. " Going," says Butler, " over the theory of virtue in one,s thoughts, talking well, and drawing fine pictures...that it may harden the mind in a contrary course, — that is, form a habit of insensibility to all moral considerations." But while the above gives...

...acts. Nay they are worse than useless. Hear Butler: "Going over the theory of virtue in one's mind, talking well and drawing fine pictures of it : this...that it may harden the mind in a contrary course. * * For from our very faculty of habit, passive impressions, by being repeated grow weaker. Thoughts...

...one's thoughts, talking well, and draw- t ing fine pictures of it ; this is so far from nedfessarily or certainly conducing to form a habit of it in him...that it may harden the mind in a contrary course, — that is, form a habit of insensibility to all moral considerations." But while the above gives...

...of his own day of discussing systems of religion and morals instead of applying them in practice. ' Going over the theory of virtue in one's thoughts, talking well, and drawing fine pictures of it,—this is so far from necessarily or certainly conducing to form a habit of it in him who thus...