If the
streets not only abound with women, who inflame the passenger by their
appearance, their gesture, and their solicitations; but with houses, in
which every desire which they kindle may be gratified with secrecy and
convenience; it is in vain that "the feet of the prostitute go down to
death, and that her steps take hold on hell:" what then can be hoped
from any punishment, which the laws of man can superadd to disease and
want, to rottenness and perdition? If you permit opium to be publickly
sold at a low rate; it will be folly to hope, that the dread of
punishment will render idleness and drunkenness strangers to the poor.
If a tax is so collected, as to leave opportunities to procure the
commodity, without paying it; the hope of gain will always surmount the
fear of punishment. If, when the veteran has served you at the risque of
life, you withold his hire; it will be in vain to threaten usury and
extortion with imprisonment and fines. If, in your armies, you suffer it
to be any man's interest, rather to preserve the life of a horse than a
man; be assured, that your own sword is drawn for your enemy: for there
will always be some, in whom interest is stronger than humanity and
honour. Put no man's interest, therefore, in the ballance against his
duty; nor hope that good can often be produced, but by preventing
opportunities of evil.
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