按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Of Refinement in the Arts
by David Hume
LUXURY is a word of an uncertain signification； and may be
taken in a good as well as in a bad sense。 In general； it means
great refinement in the gratification of the senses； and any
degree of it may be innocent or blameable； according to the age；
or country； or condition of the person。 The bounds between the
virtue and the vice cannot here be exactly fixed； more than in
other moral subjects。 To imagine； that the gratifying of any
sense； or the indulging of any delicacy in meat； drink； or
apparel； is of itself a vice； can never enter into a head； that
is not disordered by the frenzies of enthusiasm。 I have； indeed；
heard of a monk abroad； who； because the windows of his cell
opened upon a noble prospect； made a covenant with his eyes never
to turn that way； or receive so sensual a gratification。 And such
is the crime of drinking CHAMPAGNE or BURGUNDY； preferably to
small beer or porter。 These indulgences are only vices； when they
are pursued at the expence of some virtue； as liberality or
charity； in like manner as they are follies； when for them a man
ruins his fortune； and reduces himself to want and beggary。 Where
they entrench upon no virtue； but leave ample subject whence to
provide for friends； family and every proper object of generosity
or compassion； they are entirely innocent； and have in every age
been acknowledged such by almost all moralists。 To be entirely
occupied with the luxury of the table； for instance； without any
relish for the pleasures of ambition； study； or conversation； is
a mark of stupidity and is incompatible with any vigour of temper
or genius。 To confine one's expence entirely to such a
gratification； without regard to friends or family； is an
indication of a heart destitute of humanity or benevolence。 But
if a man reserve time sufficient for all laudable pursuits； and
money sufficient for all generous purposes； he is free from every
shadow of blame or reproach。
Since luxury may be considered either as innocent or
blameable； one may be surprized at those preposterous opinions；
which have been entertained concerning it； while men of libertine
principles bestow praises even on vicious luxury； and represent
it as highly advantageous to society； and on the other hand； men
of severe morals blame even the most innocent luxury and
represent it as the source of all the corruptions； disorders； and
factions； incident to civil government。 We shall here endeavour
to correct both these extremes； by proving； first； that the ages
of refinement are both the happiest and most virtuous； secondly；
that wherever luxury ceases to be innocent； it also ceases to be
beneficial； and when carried a degree too far； is a quality
pernicious； though perhaps not the most pernicious； to political
society。
To prove the first point； we need but consider the effects of
refinement both on private and on public life。 Human happiness；
according to the most received notions； seems to consist in three
ingredients； action； pleasure； and indolence： And though these
ingredients ought to be mixed in different proportions； according
to the particular disposition of the person； yet no one
ingredient can be entirely wanting； without destroying； in some
measure； the relish of the whole composition。 Indolence or
repose； indeed； seems not of itself to contribute much to our
enjoyment； but； like sleep； is requisite as an indulgence to the
weakness of human nature； which cannot support an uninterrupted
course of business or pleasure。 That quick march of the spirits；
which takes a man from himself； and chiefly gives satisfaction；
does in the end exhaust the mind； and requires some intervals of
repose； which； though agreeable for a moment； yet； if prolonged；
beget a languor and lethargy； that destroys all enjoyment。
Education； custom； and example； have a mighty influence in
turning the mind to any of these pursuits； and it must be owned；
that； where they promote a relish for action and pleasure； they
are so far favourable to human happiness。 In times when industry
and the arts flourish； men are kept in perpetual occupation； and
enjoy； as their reward； the occupation itself； as well as those
pleasures which are the fruit of their labour。 The mind acquires
new vigour； enlarges its powers and faculties； and by an
assiduity in honest industry； both satisfies its natural
appetites； and prevents the growth of unnatural ones； which
commonly spring up； when nourished by ease and idleness。 Banish
those arts from society； you deprive men both of action and of
pleasure； and leaving nothing but indolence in their place； you
even destroy the relish of indolence； which never is agreeable；
but when it succeeds to labour； and recruits the spirits；
exhausted by too much application and fatigue。
Another advantage of industry and of refinements in the
mechanical arts； is； that they commonly produce some refinements
in the liberal； nor can one be carried to perfection； without
being accompanied； in some degree； with the other。 The same age；
which produces great philosophers and politicians； renowned
generals and poets； usually abounds with skilful weavers； and
ship…carpenters。 We cannot reasonably expect； that a piece of
woollen cloth will be wrought to perfection in a nation； which is
ignorant of astronomy； or where ethics are neglected。 The spirit
of the age affects all the arts； and the minds of men； being once
roused from their lethargy； and put into a fermentation； turn
themselves on all sides； and carry improvements into every art
and science。 Profound ignorance is totally banished； and men
enjoy the privilege of rational creatures； to think as well as to
act； to cultivate the pleasures of the mind as well as those of
the body。
The more these refined arts advance； the more sociable men
become： nor is it possible； that； when enriched with science； and
possessed of a fund of conversation； they should be contented to
remain in solitude； or live with their fellow…citizens in that
distant manner； which is peculiar to ignorant and barbarous
nations。 They flock into cities； love to receive and communicate
knowledge； to show their wit or their breeding； their taste in
conversation or living； in clothes or furniture。 Curiosity
allures the wise； vanity the foolish； and pleasure both。
Particular clubs and societies are every where formed： Both sexes
meet in an easy and sociable manner； and the tempers of men； as
well as their behaviour； refine apace。 So that； beside the
improvements which they receive from knowledge and the liberal
arts； it is impossible but they must feel an encrease of
humanity； from the very habit of conversing together； and
contributing to each other's pleasure and entertainment。 Thus
industry； knowledge； and humanity； are linked together by an
indissoluble chain； and are found； from experience as well as
reason； to be peculiar to the more polished； and； what are
commonly denominated； the more luxurious ages。
Nor are these advantages attended with disadvantages； that
bear any proportion to them。 The more men refine upon pleasure；
the less will they indulge in exce