Full Idea
Kant, we may suppose, would say that if a man were 'cold in temperament and indifferent to the sufferings of others', he would still find in himself a source that would enable him to do what is benevolent.
Gist of Idea
For Kant, even a person who lacks all sympathy for others still has a motive for benevolence
Source
report of Immanuel Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals [1785]) by Rosalind Hursthouse - On Virtue Ethics Ch.4
Book Reference
Hursthouse,Rosalind: 'On Virtue Ethics' [OUP 2001], p.101
A Reaction
This identifies a strong appeal of Kant's theory - that whether we are morally good should not be a matter of luck in our upbringing or natural temperament. How is the vicious person to be saved, if not by reason?