ACTION, in a general sense, implies nearly the same thing with Act. Grammarians, however, observe some distinction between action and act; the former being generally restricted to the common or ordinary transactions, whereas the latter is used to express those which are remarkable. Thus, we say it is a good action to comfort the unhappy; it is a generous act to deprive ourselves of what is necessary for their sake. The wise man proposes to himself an honest end in all his actions; a prince ought to mark every day of his life with some act of greatness. The Abbé Girard makes a further distinction between the words action and act. The former, according to him, has more relation to the power that acts than the latter; whereas the latter has more relation to the effect produced than the former: and hence the one is properly the
Action. attribute of the other. Thus, we may properly say, "Be sure to preserve a presence of mind in all your actions, and take care that they be all acts of equity."