not only in fact proceed, but also may be theoretically derived.... Both have their root in natural Compassion. And this Compassion is an undeniable fact of human consciousness, is an essential part of it, and does not depend on assumptions, conceptions, religions, dogmas, myths, training, and education. On the contrary, it is original and immediate, and lies in human nature itself. It consequently remains unchanged under all circumstances, and reveals itself in every land, and at all times.

This is why appeal is everywhere confidently made to it, as to something necessarily present in every man; and it is never an attribute of the “strange gods.” As he, who appears to be without compassion, is called inhuman; so “humanity” is often used as its synonyme.