The ultimate sanction of morality, as
is well known, is derived from a desire for the attainment of happiness
and escape from misery. But schools differ in their estimate of
happiness. Exoteric religions base their morality on the hope of reward
and fear of punishment at the hands of an Omnipotent Ruler of the
Universe by following the rules he has at his pleasure laid down for the
obedience of his helpless subjects; in some cases, however, religions
of later growth have made morality to depend on the sentiment of
gratitude to that Ruler for benefits received. The worthlessness, not
to speak of the mischievousness, of such systems of morality is almost
self-evident. As a type of morality founded on hope and fear, we shall
take an instance from the Christian Bible: "He that giveth to the poor
lendeth to the Lord." The duty of supporting the poor is here made to
depend upon prudential motives of laying by for a time when the "giver
to the poor" will be incapable of taking care of himself. But the
Mahabharata says that "He that desireth a return for his good deeds
loseth all merit; he is like a merchant bartering his goods.
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