the moral part of the instruction
afforded by the participation of the private
citizen, if even rarely, in public
functions. He is called upon, while so
engaged, to weigh interests not his own;
to be guided, in case of conflicting
claims, by another rule than his private
partialities; to apply, at every turn, principles
and maxims which have for their
reason of existence the common good:
and he usually finds associated with him
in the same work minds more familiarized
than his own with these ideas and
operations, whose study it will be to
supply reasons to his own understanding,
and stimulation to his feelings for
the general interest. He is made to feel
himself one of the public, and whatever
is for their benefit to be for his benefit.
(Mill, [1861] 1975: 196–7)