William Lovett

Social and Political Morality William Lovett

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1853 Excerpt: ... DUTIES AS MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. ON KIND AND COURTEOUS LANGUAGE, AND PROPER BEHAVIOUR. As language (however varied in different countries) is the chief medium by which men make known their wants and wishes to one another, it may very properly be designated the current coin of thought. But language not only serves as a medium for making known men's desires, but is likewise the outward symbol for expressing their inward passions and feelings; and therefore has its influence in society, for good or evil, in the same manner as human conduct. Most persons must have seen enough of the effects of language upon others, to convince them that one mode of expression is more fitted than another to make man more agreeable to his fellows; more disposed to friendly communion; more inclined to render and receive mutual assistance; and more anxious to live in amity and peace with others. But although the language, or mode of expression, made use of by individuals greatly depends on their original organization, or pecularities of desires and feelings, there is no reason why it might not be modified, so as to be more promotive of individual and general well-being than we now find it to be. For if the instructions of the teacher, the restraints of law, and discipline of morality, have their effect in improving human character, there is no reason why the language expressive of that character should not always be improved with it. And more especially when society becomes as fully sensible of the effects of language and manners on their social condition, as they now are of the results of human conduct. But, if we may judge from every day's observation, this is not now always the case; the importance of expressing our thoughts in kind and becoming language being too little regarded. ...