becomes a crime, and even abject submission is looked at as a sacred
virtue.
As during rude times no man can be useful or faithful to his tribe
without courage, this quality has universally been placed in the
highest rank; and although in civilised countries a good yet timid man
may be far more useful to the community than a brave one, we cannot
help instinctively honouring the latter above a coward, however
benevolent. Prudence, on the other hand, which does not concern the
welfare of others, though a very useful virtue, has never been highly
esteemed. As no man can practise the virtues necessary for the welfare
of his tribe without self-sacrifice, self-command, and the power of
endurance, these qualities have been at all times highly and most
justly valued. The American savage voluntarily submits to the most
horrid tortures without a groan, to prove and strengthen his fortitude
and courage; and we cannot help admiring him, or even an Indian Fakir,
who, from a foolish religious motive, swings suspended by a hook buried
in his flesh.
The other so-called self-regarding virtues, which do not obviously,
though they may really, affect the welfare of the tribe, have never
been esteemed by savages, though now highly appreciated by civilised
nations. The greatest intemperance is no reproach with savages. Utter
licentiousness, and unnatural crimes, prevail to an astounding extent.
(36. Mr. M Lennan has given ( Primitive Marriage, 1865, p. 176) a good
collection of facts on this head.) As soon, however, as marriage,
whether polygamous, or monogamous, becomes common, jealousy will lead
to the inculcation of female virtue; and this, being honoured, will
tend to spread to the unmarried females. How slowly it spreads to the
male sex, we see at the present day. Chastity eminently requires
self-command; therefore it has been honoured from a very early period
in the moral history of civilised man. As a consequence of this, the
senseless practice of celibacy has been ranked from a remote period as
a virtue. (38. Lecky, History of European Morals, vol. i. 1869, p.
109.) The hatred of indecency, which appears to us so natural as to be
thought innate, and which is so valuable an aid to chastity, is a
modern virtue, appertaining exclusively, as Sir G. Staunton remarks
(38. Embassy to China, vol. ii. p. 348.), to civilised life. This is
shewn by the ancient religious rites of various nations, by the
drawings on the walls of Pompeii, and by the practices of many savages.
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