Responsibility in mental disease / by Henry Maudsley.

  • Henry Maudsley
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Responsibility in mental disease / by Henry Maudsley. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    even if it be the egoism of excessive sensibility and of a too tender conscience. There can be no doubt that harm is sometimes done to persons of a sus- ceptible mind by encouraging or stimulating them to reflect upon tbeir feelings, instead of inciting them to put the energy of their feelings into a well-ordered mental activity. There is but one true cure for suffering, and that is action ; and a healthy mind, like a healthy body, should lose the consciousness of self in the energy of action. By self-introspection and self-analysis, especially when these are inculcated as a religious duty upon persons who, from bodily or other causes, are inclined to excessive susceptibilities, a morbid egoism is fostered, which is sometimes mistaken for an awakened conscience. But a tender conscience of that kind, overrating its own importance, may easily pass into insanity, unless counterbalanced by the sobering influence of active outward occupations and interests. It cannot but go ill with any one when he becomes the centre round which his thoughts, feelings, and actions move habitu- ally ; and it is certainly a mistake in the culture of mind to develop the emotional part at the expense of the intellect and will. In the religious life, as in the worldly life, the feelings must be kept in due subordi- nation, otherwise it will be in vain to pray to be granted in health, wealth, and wisdom long to live. For prayer will not compensate for lack of knowledge and lack of will in the government of the mind and in the conduct of life ; and to inculcate or foster a habit of