Place (or put) a spider on top of a mountain, it will only try to catch flies; alas, they are many those who, in the figurative meaning, have spider's eyes.
African SpirApart from selfish reasons, such as fear of punishments, fear of blame, of dishonour, etc, there remains only two motives that can stop (or prevent, "empรขecher", Fr.) men from acting badly; the natural sense of commiseration (or "sympathy", - "commisรฉration", Fr.) for one's fellow men - compassion, and the influence of education, by association of ideas ("par l'association d'idรฉes", Fr.) - habit.
African SpirIn the actual state of social relationships, the forms ("formes", Fr.) of politeness are necessary as a subsitute to benevolence.
African SpirWhether we had a (good) moral intuition more developed, we would be as much morally disgusted by the rapacity of those who try to benefit from, and monopolize (or secure or corner), having no consideration (regardless or irrespective of) for others ("autrui", Fr.), than we physically are by a sickening (or nauseating) smell.
African SpirThe more gifted by nature is a man, the more is deplorable the abuse that he does by using them to shameful ends. A swindler (or crook) of higher condition is more blameworthy than a vulgar scoundrel; an intelligent eveil-doer, having benefited from a higher education, represent a more saddening phenomenon ("phรฉnomรจne", Fr.) than an unfortune illiterate fellow having commited an offence.
African SpirNothing is more stimulating and more salutary to (or for) the inner (or inward) development than the exemple of men devoted to the good. It is in the company of men pursuing a same ideal that the still weavering (or unsteady) soul can set oneself ("se fixer", Fr) and stick to (or attach to) everything that is noble and generous.
African Spir