This law, when ascertained, is the touchstone of moral rectitude.

2nd, The Civil Law, or the Law of the State, supported by the penalties of the civil judge.

3rd, The Law of Opinion or Reputation.

Even after resigning, to public authority, the disposal of the public force, men still retain the power of privately approving or disapproving actions, according to their views of virtue and vice.

The being commended or dispraised by our fellows may thus be called the sanction of Reputation, a power often surpassing in efficacy both the other sanctions.
Morality is the reference of all actions to one or other of these three Laws.