When the first set of passions, those of the irascible part of the soul, had that degree of strength and firmness, which enabled them, un|der the direction of reason, to despise all dan|gers in the pursuit of what was honourable and noble; it constituted the virtue of for|titude and magnanimity. This order of pas|sions, according to this system, was of a more generous and noble nature than the other. They were considered upon many occasions as the auxiliaries of reason to check, and re|strain the inferior and brutal appetites. We are often angry at ourselves, it was observed, we often become the objects of our own re|sentment and indignation, when the love of pleasure prompts us to do what we disap|prove of; and the irascible part of our na|••ure is in this manner called in to assist the ••ational against the concupiscible.
When all those three different parts of our ••ature were in perfect concord with one an|••ther, when neither the irascible nor concupi|••cible passions ever aimed at any gratification which reason did not approve of, and when ••eason never commanded any thing, but what ••hese of their own accord were willing to ••erform: this happy composure, this perfect ••nd compleat harmony of soul constituted
