Thomas Jefferson on Counteracting Selfishness

Posted on March 21, 2009 by Robert Coss
clipped from etext.virginia.edu

“Self-love… is the sole antagonist of virtue, leading us constantly by our propensities to self-gratification in violation of our moral duties to others. Accordingly, it is against this enemy that are erected the batteries of moralists and religionists, as the only obstacle to the practice of morality. Take from man his selfish propensities, and he can have nothing to seduce him from the practice of virtue. Or subdue those propensities by education, instruction or restraint, and virtue remains without a competitor.” –Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Law, 1814. ME 14:140
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About Robert Coss

I was made in America by God and my hope is people will see the quality of that workmanship.
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