It is not by any means indifferent, but largely sympathetic.

It does not characterise the lowest and most gelatinous forms of human life, but those that are the most highly organized.

True kindness cherishes and actively promotes all reasonable instrumentalities for doing practical good in its own time; and, looking into futurity, sees the same spirit working on for the eventual elevation and happiness of the race.
It is the kindly-dispositioned men who are the active men of the world, while the selfish and the sceptical, who have no love but for themselves, are its idlers.

Buffon used to say, that he would give nothing for a young man who did not begin life with an enthusiasm of some sort.

It showed that at least he had faith in something good, lofty, and generous, even if unattainable.
Egotism, scepticism, and selfishness are always miserable companions in life, and they are especially unnatural in youth.