SECT. II. Of the beauty which the appearance of uti|lity bestows upon the characters and acti|ons of men; and how far the perception of this beauty may be regarded as one of the original principles of approbation.
THE characters of men, as well as the contrivances of art, or the institutions of civil government, may be fitted either to pro|mote or to disturb the happiness both of the individual and of the society. The prudent, the equitable, the active, resolute and sober character promises prosperity and satisfaction▪ both to the person himself and to every one connected with him. The rash, the insolent, the slothful, effeminate and voluptuous, on the contrary forbodes ruin to the individual, and misfortune to all who have any thing to do with him. The first turn of mind has at least all the beauty which can belong to the most perfect machine that was ever in|vented for promoting the most agreeable pur|pose: and the second all the deformity of the
