Nothing is more essential than that antipathies against
particular nations and passionate attachments for others
should be avoided and that instead of them we should cultivate
just and amicable feelings towards all. That nation
which indulges towards another an habitual hatred or an
habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. . . . It is a slave
to its animosity, or to its affection-either of which is
sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and interest. The
nation urged by resentment and rage, sometimes compels
the government to war, contrary to its own calculations of
policy. The government sometimes participates in this
propensity and dons through passion what reason would
forbid it at other times; it makes the animosity of the nations
subservient to hostile projects which originate in ambition
and other sinister motives.
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