The Descent of Man

he has no such sympathy, and if his desires
leading to bad actions are at the time strong,
and when recalled are not over-mastered by the
persistent social instincts, and the judgment of
others, then he is essentially a bad man (30. Dr.
Prosper Despine, in his Psychologie Naturelle,
1868 (tom. i. p. 243; tom. ii. p. 169) gives many
curious cases of the worst criminals, who apparently
have been entirely destitute of conscience.);
and the sole restraining motive left is the
fear of punishment, and the conviction that in
the long run it would be best for his own selfish
interests to regard the good of others rather
than his own.
It is obvious that every one may with an easy
conscience gratify his own desires, if they do
not interfere with his social instincts, that is
with the good of others; but in order to be quite
free from self-reproach, or at least of anxiety, it
is almost necessary for him to avoid the disapprobation,
whether reasonable or not, of his