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September 6^th 1838

Every action whatever is the effect of a motive.—

(must be so, analyse^(*) ones feelings when wagging one's finger— one feels it in passion, love— jealousy, as effect of bodily organisms— one knows it, when one wishes to do some action (as jump off a bridge to save another) & yet dare not, one could do it, but other motives prevent the action

see Abercrombie conclusive remarks p. 205 & 206.)

Motives are units in the universe.

(Effect of hereditary constitution,— education under the influence of others— varied capability of receiving impressions— accidental (so called like change) circumstances.

As man hearing Bible for first time, & great effect being produced.— the wax was soft,— the condition of mind which leads to motion being inclined that way)

one sees this law in man in somnabulism or insanity. free will (as generally used) is not then present, but he acts from motives, nearly as usual

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* A man may put himself in the way of contingencies.— but his desire to do arises from motives.— & his knowledge that it is good for him effect of education & mental capabilities.—

^(a) one well feels how many actions are not determined by what is called free will, but by strong invariable passions— when these passions weak, opposed & complicated one calls them free will— the chance of mechanical phenomena.— (mem: M. Le Comte one of philosophy, & savage calling laws of nature chance)

^(p) Animals do attack the weak & sickly as we do the wicked.— we ought to pity & assist & educate by putting contingencies in the way to aid motive power.—

if incorrigably bad nothing will cure him

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difference is from imperfect condition of mind all motives do not come into play.—

* It may be urged how often one try to persuade person to change line of conduct, as being better & making him happier.— he agrees & yet does not.— because motive power not in proper state.— When the admonition succeeds who does not recognize an accidental spark falling on prepared materials.

From contingencies a man's character may change— because motive power changes with organization

The general delusion about free will obvious.— because man has power of action, & he can seldom analyse his motives (originally mostly instinctive, & therefore now great effort of reason to discover them: this is important explanation) he thinks they have none.—

Effects.— One must view a wrecked man like a sickly one^p— We cannot help loathing a diseased offensive object, so we view wickedness.— it would however be more proper to pity them to hate & be

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disgusted with them. Yet it is right to punish criminals; but solely to deter others.— It is not more strange that there should be necessary wickedness than disease.

This view should teach one profound humility, one deserves no credit for anything. (yet one takes it for beauty & good temper), nor ought one to blame others.—

This view will not do harm, because no one can be really fully convinced of its truth, except man who has thought very much. & he will know his happiness lays in doing good & being perfect, & therefore will not be tempted, from knowing every thing he does is independent of himself to do harm.—

Believer in these views will pay great attention to Education.—

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These views are directly opposed & inexplicable if we suppose that the sins of a man are, under his control, & that a future life is a reward of retribution.— it may be a consequence but nothing further.—