PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

Duelling. 183
..,irtue itself: The feuds and animosities in families
and between neighbours, whi(:h disturb the inter.
course of human life, and collectively compose half
the misery of it, have their foundation III the want
of a forgiving temper; and can never cease, but by
the exercise of this virtue, on one side, or ~~ both.
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CHAPTER IX.
DUELLING.
DUELLING as a punishment is absurd; be..;
cause it is an equal chance, whether the punishment
~aIl upon the offender, or the person offended. Nor is
it much better as a reparation; it being difficlilt to
explain in what the satisfaction consists, or how it
tends to ilndo the injury, or to afford a compensation
far the damage already sustained.
The truth is~ it is not COftsidered as either. A law
of honour having annexed the imputation of co ~\ al"d.
ice to patience under an affront, challenges are given
and accepted with no other design than to prevent or
wipe off this suspicion; without malice against the
ad\~ersary, generally without a wish to destroy him,
or any other concern than to preserve the duellist's
o,,;n reputation and reception in the world.
The unreasonableness of this rule of manners is
one con~ideration; the dutyalld COIlduct of individ ..
uals~ \vhilst such a rule exists, 1.s another ..
As to which, the proper and single questioIt is this,
whether a regard for our own reputation is or is not
sufficient to j!lstify the taking away the life of an.
ot11er ?
1Iurder i~ forl)idJen; and wherever human life
is dd,b('!'atdy taken away, otherwise than by public
authority, there is murdt!r. The value and security
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