"It is part of the irony of life that the strongest feelings of devoted gratitude of which human nature seems to be susceptible, are called for in human beings towards those who, having the power entirely to crush their earthly existence, voluntarily refrain from using that power. How great a place in most men this sentiment fills, even in religious devotion, it would be cruel to inquire. We daily see how much their gratitude to Heaven appeares to be stimulated by the contemplation of fellow-creatures to whom God has not been so merciful as he has to themselves." John Stuart Mill. 1869. _The Subjection of Women_. pp. 150-151. (Stefan Collini, ed.)