CHOICE AS TO REWARDS In making a proper selection of punishments, much skill is required: comparatively much less is requisite in the proper selection of rewards.Not only are the species of rewards more limited in number than those of punishments, but the grounds of preference are more easily discoverable, and there are not, as in the case of punishments, any passions which tend to mislead the judgment.
The qualities desirable in rewards are the same as in the case of punishments: we shall enumerate them, and then proceed to point out in what degree they are united in certain modes of remuneration.
A reward is best adapted to fulfil the purpose for which it may be designed, when it is--- Variable , susceptible of increase or diminution in respect of amount, that it may be proportioned to the different degrees of of service.
Equable , that equal portions may at all times operate with equal force upon all individuals.
Commensurable , with respect to other species of rewards attached to other services.
Exemplary : its apparent ought not to differ from its real value.
This quality is wanting, when a large expense is incurred for the purpose of reward, without its becoming matter of notoriety.The object aimed at ought to be to strike the attention, and produce a durable impression.
Economical.More ought not to be paid for a service than it is worth.This is the rule in every market.
Characteristic : as far as possible analogous to the service.
It becomes by this means the more exemplary.
Popular.It ought not to oppose established prejudices.In vain did the Roman emperors bestow honours upon the most odious informers; they degraded the honours, but the informers were not the less infamous.But it is not enough that it does not oppose the prejudices: it is desirable that every reward should obtain the approbation of the public.
Fructifying : calculated to excite the perseverance of the individual in the career of service, and to supply him with new resources.In the selection from among the variety of rewards, of that particular one which most certainly will produce any desired affect, attention must not only be paid to the nature of the service, but also to the particular disposition and character of the individual upon whom it is to operate.In this respect, public regulations can never attain the perfection of which domestic discipline is susceptible.No sovereign can ever in the same degree be acquainted with the dispositions of his subjects, as a father may be with those of his children.This disadvantage is however compensated by the larger number of competitors.In a kingdom, every diversity of temperament, and every degree of aptitude, may be found united together; and provided the reward be proportionate to the service, it will be of little importance what may be its nature: like the magnet, which out of heterogeneous mass attracts and separates the most hidden particles of iron, it will detect the individual susceptible of its attraction.
Besides, the nature of pecuniary reward, which is adapted to the greater proportion of services, is such that every individual may convert it into the species of pleasure which be most prefers.
To form a judgment of the merits and demerits of pecuniary reward, a glance at the list of desirable qualities will suffice.
It will at once be seen which of them it possesses, and of which of them it is deficient: it is variable , equable , and commensurable.
It ought to be added, that it is frequently indispensably necessary: there are many cases in which every other reward, separated from this, would not only be a burthen, but even a mockery, especially if the performance of the service have been attended with an expense or loss greater than the individual can easily support.
On the other hand, pecuniary reward is not exempt from disadvantages.Speaking generally (for there are many exceptions,) it is neither exemplary , nor characteristic , nor even popular.[2] When allowed to exceed a certain amount, it tends to diminish the activity of the receiver: instead of adding to his inclination to persevere in his services, it may furnish him with a temptation to discontinue them.The enriched man will be apt to think like the soldier of Lucullus, who became timid so soon as he possessed property to preserve.Ibit eò, quo vis, qui zonam perdidit, inquit.Hor.Epist.II.lib.2.There are also cases in which money, instead of an attractive, may have a repulsive effect,---instead of operating as a reward, may be considered as an insult, at least by persons who possess any delicacy in their sentiments of honour.A certain degree of skill is therefore required in the application of money as a reward:
it is oftentimes desirable that the pecuniary should appear only as an accessary to the honorary, which should be made to constitute the principal part of the reward.[3]
Every pecuniary reward may be, as it were, annihilated by its relative smallness.A man of independent fortune, and of a certain rank in society, would be considered as degraded by accepting a sum that would not degrade a mechanic.There is no rule for determining; what is permitted or prohibited in this respect: custom has established the prejudice.
But the difficulty it presents is not insurmountable.By combining together money and honour, a compound is formed,which is universally pleasing: medals, for example, possess this double advantage.By a little art and precaution, a solid peace is established between pride and cupidity; and thus united, they have both been ranged under the banners of merit.Pride proclaims aloud---``It is not the intrinsic value of the metal which possesses attractions for me; it is the circle of glory alone with which it is surrounded.''
Cupidity makes its calculation in silence, and accurately estimates the value of the material of the prize.
