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

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person .' ro infuse 5uspicions, to kindle or contlnu€:
disputr~;, :', Ayert the favour and esteem of benefactors
fr·\jm their dependants, to render some one
whom \~·e
dislike C011temptible or obnoxic:us in the
public opinion, are all offices of slander ; of which
the guilt must be measured by the intensity and extent
of 'the misery produced.
The disguises under which slander is cc,nveyed,
whether jn a whisper, "lith injunctions of secrecy,
by way of caution, or \\ith afiect~ reluctance~ are
all so many aggravations of the offence, as they indicate
more deliberation and de~ign.
Inconsideratt slander is a different offence, although
the same mischief actually follow, and· although the
mischief might have been foreseen. The not being
conscious of that design, \,.. hich 've ha'-e hitherto attributed
to the slanderer, makes ~he difference.
The guilt here consists in the want of that regard
to the consequet!ces of our conduct, 1\-hich a just affection
for human happiness, and conCl:rn for our
duty, WGuid not have failed to have produced in us~
P1Ild it is ne answer to this crimination to say, that
we entertained no evil desiglz. A servant may be a
very bad servant, and yet seldom or never d,"sign to
act in opposition to his master's interest or wi)l ; and
his master may ju~tly PUIlish such a servant for a
thoughtlessness and neglect nearly as prejudicial as deliberate
disobedience. I accuse you not, he may say,
of any express intention to hurt me; but had not
the fear of my displeasure, the care of nly interest,
and indeed all the qualities Wllich constitute the Jnerit
of a good servant" been wcmting in you, they would
nui oniy haye exclGded every direct purpose of giving
nle uneasiness, but hav'e been SD far present to
your thoughts, as to have checked that unguarded
licentiousn~ss, by 1I.vhicl1 I have suifer('d so Inuch,
and inspired you in its place with an habitual solici.
tude about the effects and tendency of what y~u did
rJr said. 'I'11is \·cry Inllch resembles tIle case of all