But it must be conceded that there is a considerable amount

176



DUTIES OF A MAN TO HIS FELLOW MAN 177

of self love that does seek to hide itself under a mask of gener-
osity. What sacrifices some politicians are willing to make one
in order to serve the dear people in Congress? We are told that
in the beginning of the Christian era there were those who gave
alms "to be seen of men." Paul tells us that in his time there
were those who even preached Christ to gratify "envy and
strife." It is well known that now there are some men who
will build hospitals and endow colleges for the fame it brings
them. Since so much of generous action has been found
tainted with selfishness, some have jumped to the conclusion
that it is all so. There is no more profitless exercise than
tr)dng to ferret out some sinister motive for the beneficent
activities of men. There are those who seem to rival Satan in
asking: "Doth Job fear God for nought?" No doubt the
diiSculty in settling the question of our own motives is often
increased by the fact that generous conduct toward our neigh-
bors is attended nearly or remotely with benefit to ourselves.
We may frankly concede that an act which is of advantage to
the doer as well as the recipient is more easily performed.
