The Conduct of Life Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The complete orks of Ralph Waldo Emerson" The cond#ct of life $%ol& '(

Emerson) Ralph Waldo) *+,-.*++/&) Emerson) Edard Waldo) *+00.*1-,&

Ta!le of contents 2 3dd to !ook!ag44 5re6io#s section 7ext section 88

5age $#nn#m!ered(

9& :3TE

DEL9C3TE omens traced in air)

To the lone !ard tr#e itness !are;

Birds ith a#g#ries on their ings

Chanted #ndecei6ing things)

Him to !eckon) him to arn;Well might then the poet scorn

To learn of scri!e or co#rier

Hints rit in 6aster character;

3nd on his mind) at dan of da<)

Soft shados of the e6ening la<&

:or the pre6ision is allied

Unto the thing so signified;

=r sa<) the foresight that aaits

9s the same >eni#s that creates& $*(

5age $#nn#m!ered(

5age $#nn#m!ered(

:3TE

9T chanced d#ring one inter a fe <ears ago) that o#r cities ere !ent on disc#ssing

the theor< of the 3ge& B< an odd coincidence) fo#r or fi6e noted men ere each

reading a disco#rse to the citi?ens of Boston or 7e @ork) on the Spirit of the Times&

9t so happened that the s#!Aect had the same prominence in some remarka!le

pamphlets and Ao#rnals iss#ed in London in the same season& $*( To me) hoe6er) the

#estion of the times resol6ed itself into a practical #estion of the cond#ct of life&

Ho shall 9 li6e We are incompetent to sol6e the times& =#r geometr< cannot span

the h#ge or!its of the pre6ailing ideas) !ehold their ret#rn and reconcile their

opposition& We can onl< o!e< o#r on polarit<& T is fine for #s to spec#late and electo#r co#rse) if e m#st accept an irresisti!le dictation&

9n o#r first steps to gain o#r ishes e come #pon immo6a!le limitations& We are

fired ith the hope to reform men& 3fter man< experiments e find that e m#st

!egin earlier)at school& B#t the !o<s and girls are not docile; e can make nothing

of them& We decide that

5age 0

the< are not of good stock& We m#st !egin o#r reform earlier still)at generation" that

is to sa<) there is :ate) or las of the orld& $*(



B#t if there !e irresisti!le dictation) this dictation #nderstands itself& 9f e m#st accept

:ate) e are not less compelled to affirm li!ert<) the significance of the indi6id#al) the

grande#r of d#t<) the poer of character& This is tr#e) and that other is tr#e& B#t o#r

geometr< cannot span these extreme points and reconcile them& What to do B<

o!e<ing each tho#ght frankl<) !< harping) or) if <o# ill) po#nding on each string) e

learn at last its poer& B< the same o!edience to other tho#ghts e learn theirs) andthen comes some reasona!le hope of harmoni?ing them& We are s#re that) tho#gh e

kno not ho) necessit< does comport ith li!ert<) the indi6id#al ith the orld) m<

polarit< ith the spirit of the times& The riddle of the age has for each a pri6ate

sol#tion& 9f one o#ld st#d< his on time) it m#st !e !< this method of taking #p in

t#rn each of the leading topics hich !elong to o#r scheme of h#man life) and !<

firml< stating all that is agreea!le to experience on one) and doing the same A#stice to

the opposing facts in the others) the tr#e limitations ill appear& 3n< excess of

5age F

emphasis on one part o#ld !e corrected) and a A#st !alance o#ld !e made&

B#t let #s honestl< state the facts& =#r 3merica has a !ad name for s#perficialness&

>reat men) great nations) ha6e not !een !oasters and !#ffoons) !#t percei6ers of the

terror of life) and ha6e manned themsel6es to face it& The Spartan) em!od<ing his

religion in his co#ntr<) dies !efore its maAest< itho#t a #estion& The T#rk) ho

!elie6es his doom is ritten on the iron leaf in the moment hen he entered the

orld) r#shes on the enem<s sa!re ith #ndi6ided ill& The T#rk) the 3ra!) the

5ersian) accepts the foreordained fate"

G=n to da<s) it steads not to r#n from th< gra6e)

The appointed) and the #nappointed da<;

=n the first) neither !alm nor ph<sician can sa6e)

7or thee) on the second) the Uni6erse sla<&G $*(

The Hindoo #nder the heel is as firm& =#r Cal6inists in the last generation had

something of the same dignit<& The< felt that the eight of the Uni6erse held them

don to their place& What co#ld the< do Wise men feel that there is something hich

cannot !e talked or 6oted aa<)a strap or !elt hich girds the orld"

GThe Destinee) ministre general)

That exec#teth in the orld o6er al)

5age '

The p#r6eiance that >od hath seen !eforne)

So strong it is) that tho#gh the orld had sorneThe contrar< of a thing !< <ea or na<)

@et sometime it shall fallen on a da<

That falleth not oft in a tho#sand <eer;

:or certainl<) o#r appetits here)

Be it or arre) or pees) or hate) or lo6e)

3ll this is r#led !< the sight a!o6e&G

CH3UCER" The Inightes Tale& $*(

The >reek Traged< expressed the same sense& GWhate6er is fated that ill take place&

The great immense mind of Jo6e is not to !e transgressed&G



Sa6ages cling to a local god of one tri!e or ton& The !road ethics of Jes#s ere

#ickl< narroed to 6illage theologies) hich preach an election or fa6oritism& 3nd

no and then an amia!le parson) like J#ng Stilling or Ro!ert H#ntington) !elie6es in a

pistareen.5ro6idence) hich) hene6er the good man ants a dinner) makes that

some!od< shall knock at his door and lea6e a half.dollar& $/( B#t 7at#re is no

sentimentalist)does not cosset or pamper #s& We m#st see that the orld is ro#ghand s#rl<) and ill not mind droning a man or a oman) !#t sallos <o#r ship like

a grain of d#st& $*( The cold) inconsiderate of persons) tingles <o#r !lood) !en#m!s

<o#r feet) free?es a man like

5age K

an apple& The diseases) the elements) fort#ne) gra6it<) lightning) respect no persons&

The a< of 5ro6idence is a little r#de& The ha!it of snake and spider) the snap of the

tiger and other leapers and !lood< A#mpers) the crackle of the !ones of his pre< in the

coil of the anaconda)these are in the s<stem) and o#r ha!its are like theirs& @o# ha6e

A#st dined) and hoe6er scr#p#lo#sl< the sla#ghter.ho#se is concealed in the gracef#l

distance of miles) there is complicit<) expensi6e races)race li6ing at the expense ofrace& The planet is lia!le to shocks from comets) pert#r!ations from planets) rendings

from earth#ake and 6olcano) alterations of climate) precessions of e#inoxes& Ri6ers

dr< #p !< opening of the forest& The sea changes its !ed& Tons and co#nties fall into

it& 3t Lis!on an earth#ake killed men like flies& 3t 7aples three <ears ago ten

tho#sand persons ere cr#shed in a fe min#tes& The sc#r6< at sea) the sord of the

climate in the est of 3frica) at Ca<enne) at 5anama) at 7e =rleans) c#t off men like

a massacre& =#r estern prairie shakes ith fe6er and ag#e& The cholera) the small.

pox) ha6e pro6ed as mortal to some tri!es as a frost to the crickets) hich) ha6ing

filled the s#mmer ith noise) are silenced

5age +

!< a fall of the temperat#re of one night& Witho#t #nco6ering hat does not concern

#s) or co#nting ho man< species of parasites hang on a !om!<x) or groping after

intestinal parasites or inf#sor< !iters) or the o!sc#rities of alternate generation)the

forms of the shark) the la!r#s) the Aa of the sea.olf pa6ed ith cr#shing teeth) the

eapons of the gramp#s) and other arriors hidden in the sea) are hints of ferocit< in

the interiors of nat#re& Let #s not den< it #p and don& 5ro6idence has a ild) ro#gh)

incalc#la!le road to its end) and it is of no #se to tr< to hiteash its h#ge) mixed

instr#mentalities) or to dress #p that terrific !enefactor in a clean shirt and hite

neckcloth of a st#dent in di6init<&

Will <o# sa<) the disasters hich threaten mankind are exceptional) and one need notla< his acco#nt for catacl<sms e6er< da< 3<e) !#t hat happens once ma< happen

again) and so long as these strokes are not to !e parried !< #s the< m#st !e feared&

B#t these shocks and r#ins are less destr#cti6e to #s than the stealth< poer of other

las hich act on #s dail<& 3n expense of ends to means is fate;organi?ation

t<ranni?ing o6er character& The menagerie) or forms and poers

5age 1

of the spine) is a !ook of fate; the !ill of the !ird) the sk#ll of the snake) determines

t<rannicall< its limits& $*( So is the scale of races) of temperaments; so is sex; so is

climate; so is the reaction of talents imprisoning the 6ital poer in certain directions&E6er< spirit makes its ho#se; !#t afterards the ho#se confines the spirit&



The gross lines are legi!le to the d#ll; the ca!.man is phrenologist so far) he looks in

<o#r face to see if his shilling is s#re& 3 dome of !ro denotes one thing) a pot.!ell<

another; a s#int) a p#g.nose) mats of hair) the pigment of the epidermis) !etra<

character& 5eople seem sheathed in their to#gh organi?ation& 3sk Sp#r?heim) ask the

doctors) ask #etelet if temperaments decide nothingor if there !e an<thing the<do not decide $/( Read the description in medical !ooks of the fo#r temperaments

and <o# ill think <o# are reading <o#r on tho#ghts hich <o# had not <et told&

:ind the part hich !lack e<es and hich !l#e e<es pla< se6erall< in the compan<&

Ho shall a man escape from his ancestors) or dra off from his 6eins the !lack drop

hich he dre from his fathers or his mothers life 9t often appears in a famil< as if

all the #alities of the progenitors ere potted in

5age *,

se6eral Aars)some r#ling #alit< in each son or da#ghter of the ho#se; and

sometimes the #nmixed temperament) the rank #nmitigated elixir) the famil< 6ice is

dran off in a separate indi6id#al and the others are proportionall< relie6ed& $*( Wesometimes see a change of expression in o#r companion and sa< his father or his

mother comes to the indos of his e<es) and sometimes a remote relati6e& 9n

different ho#rs a man represents each of se6eral of his ancestors) as if there ere

se6en or eight of #s rolled #p in each mans skin)se6en or eight ancestors at least;

and the< constit#te the 6ariet< of notes for that ne piece of m#sic hich his life is&

$/( 3t the corner of the street <o# read the possi!ilit< of each passenger in the facial

angle) in the complexion) in the depth of his e<e& His parentage determines it& Men are

hat their mothers made them& @o# ma< as ell ask a loom hich ea6es h#cka!#ck

h< it does not make cashmere) as expect poetr< from this engineer) or a chemical

disco6er< from that Ao!!er& $-( 3sk the digger in the ditch to explain 7etons las;

the fine organs of his !rain ha6e !een pinched !< o6erork and s#alid po6ert< from

father to son for a h#ndred <ears& When each comes forth from his mothers om!)

the gate of gifts closes !ehind

5age **

him& $*( Let him 6al#e his hands and feet) he has !#t one pair& So he has !#t one

f#t#re) and that is alread< predetermined in his lo!es and descri!ed in that little fatt<

face) pig.e<e) and s#at form& 3ll the pri6ilege and all the legislation of the orld

cannot meddle or help to make a poet or a prince of him& $/(

Jes#s said) GWhen he looketh on her) he hath committed ad#lter<&G B#t he is an

ad#lterer !efore he has <et looked on the oman) !< the s#perfl#it< of animal and thedefect of tho#ght in his constit#tion& Who meets him) or ho meets her) in the street)

sees that the< are ripe to !e each others 6ictim&

9n certain men digestion and sex a!sor! the 6ital force) and the stronger these are) the

indi6id#al is so m#ch eaker& The more of these drones perish) the !etter for the hi6e&

9f) later) the< gi6e !irth to some s#perior indi6id#al) ith force eno#gh to add to this

animal a ne aim and a complete apparat#s to ork it o#t) all the ancestors are gladl<

forgotten& Most men and most omen are merel< one co#ple more& 7o and then one

has a ne cell or camarilla opened in his !rain)an architect#ral) a m#sical) or a

philological knack; some stra< taste or talent for floers) or chemistr<) or pigments) or

stor<.telling;



5age */

a good hand for draing) a good foot for dancing) an athletic frame for ide

Ao#rne<ing) etc&hich skill noise alters rank in the scale of nat#re) !#t ser6es to

pass the time; the life of sensation going on as !efore& 3t last these hints and

tendencies are fixed in one or in a s#ccession& Each a!sor!s so m#ch food and force

as to !ecome itself a ne centre& The ne talent dras off so rapidl< the 6ital forcethat not eno#gh remains for the animal f#nctions) hardl< eno#gh for health; so that in

the second generation) if the like geni#s appear) the health is 6isi!l< deteriorated and

the generati6e force impaired&

5eople are !orn ith the moral or ith the material !ias;#terine !rothers ith this

di6erging destination; and 9 s#ppose) ith high magnifiers) Mr& :ra#enhofer or Dr&

Carpenter might come to disting#ish in the em!r<o) at the fo#rth da<)this is a Whig)

and that a :ree.soiler& $*(

9t as a poetic attempt to lift this mo#ntain of :ate) to reconcile this despotism of race

ith li!ert<) hich led the Hindoos to sa<) G:ate is nothing !#t the deeds committed ina prior state of existence&G $/( 9 find the coincidence of the extremes of Eastern and

Western spec#lation

5age *-

in the daring statement of Schelling) GThere is in e6er< man a certain feeling that he

has !een hat he is from all eternit<) and !< no means !ecame s#ch in time&G To sa< it

less s#!limel<)in the histor< of the indi6id#al is ala<s an acco#nt of his condition)

and he knos himself to !e a part< to his present estate&

3 good deal of o#r politics is ph<siological& 7o and then a man of ealth in the

he<da< of <o#th adopts the tenet of !roadest freedom& 9n England there is ala<s

some man of ealth and large connection) planting himself) d#ring all his <ears of

health) on the side of progress) ho) as soon as he !egins to die) checks his forard

pla<) calls in his troops and !ecomes conser6ati6e& 3ll conser6ati6es are s#ch from

personal defects& The< ha6e !een effeminated !< position or nat#re) !orn halt and

!lind) thro#gh l#x#r< of their parents) and can onl<) like in6alids) act on the defensi6e&

B#t strong nat#res) !ackoodsmen) 7e Hampshire giants) 7apoleons) B#rkes)

Bro#ghams) We!sters) Ioss#ths) are ine6ita!le patriots) #ntil their life e!!s and their

defects and go#t) pals< and mone<) arp them&

The strongest idea incarnates itself in maAorities

5age *0

and nations) in the healthiest and strongest& 5ro!a!l< the election goes !< a6oird#pois

eight) and if <o# co#ld eigh !odil< the tonnage of an< h#ndred of the Whig and

the Democratic part< in a ton on the Dear!orn !alance) as the< passed the ha<.

scales) <o# co#ld predict ith certaint< hich part< o#ld carr< it& =n the hole it

o#ld !e rather the speediest a< of deciding the 6ote) to p#t the selectmen or the

ma<or and aldermen at the ha<.scales&

9n science e ha6e to consider to things" poer and circ#mstance& 3ll e kno of

the egg) from each s#ccessi6e disco6er<) is) another 6esicle; and if) after fi6e h#ndred<ears <o# get a !etter o!ser6er or a !etter glass) he finds) ithin the last o!ser6ed)



another& 9n 6egeta!le and animal tiss#e it is A#st alike) and all that the primar< poer

or spasm operates is still 6esicles) 6esicles& @es)!#t the t<rannical Circ#mstance 3

6esicle in ne circ#mstances) a 6esicle lodged in darkness) =ken tho#ght) !ecame

animal; in light) a plant& $*( Lodged in the parent animal) it s#ffers changes hich end

in #nsheathing mirac#lo#s capa!ilit< in the #naltered 6esicle) and it #nlocks itself to

fish) !ird) or #adr#ped) head and foot) e<e and cla& The Circ#mstance is 7at#re& $/( 7at#re is hat

5age *F

<o# ma< do& There is m#ch <o# ma< not& We ha6e to things)the circ#mstance) and

the life& =nce e tho#ght positi6e poer as all& 7o e learn that negati6e poer)

or circ#mstance) is half& 7at#re is the t<ranno#s circ#mstance) the thick sk#ll) the

sheathed snake) the pondero#s) rock.like Aa; necessitated acti6it<; 6iolent direction;

the conditions of a tool) like the locomoti6e) strong eno#gh on its track) !#t hich can

do nothing !#t mischief off of it; or skates) hich are ings on the ice !#t fetters on

the gro#nd&

The !ook of 7at#re is the !ook of :ate& She t#rns the gigantic pages)leaf after leaf)

ne6er re.t#rning one& =ne leaf she la<s don) a floor of granite; then a tho#sand

ages) and a !ed of slate; a tho#sand ages) and a meas#re of coal; a tho#sand ages) and

a la<er of marl and m#d" 6egeta!le forms appear; her first misshapen animals)

?oNph<te) trilo!i#m) fish; then) sa#rians)r#de forms) in hich she has onl< !locked

her f#t#re stat#e) concealing #nder these #nield< monsters the fine t<pe of her

coming king& The face of the planet cools and dries) the races meliorate) and man is

!orn& B#t hen a race has li6ed its term) it comes no more again& $*(

5age *'

The pop#lation of the orld is a conditional pop#lation; not the !est) !#t the !est that

co#ld li6e no; and the scale of tri!es) and the steadiness ith hich 6ictor< adheres

to one tri!e and defeat to another) is as #niform as the s#perposition of strata& We

kno in histor< hat eight !elongs to race& We see the English) :rench) and

>ermans planting themsel6es on e6er< shore and market of 3merica and 3#stralia)

and monopoli?ing the commerce of these co#ntries& We like the ner6o#s and

6ictorio#s ha!it of o#r on !ranch of the famil<& We follo the step of the Je) of the

9ndian) of the 7egro& We see ho m#ch ill has !een expended to exting#ish the Je)

in 6ain& Look at the #npalata!le concl#sions of Inox) in his :ragment of Races;a

rash and #nsatisfactor< riter) !#t charged ith p#ngent and #nforgeta!le tr#ths&G7at#re respects race) and not h<!rids&G GE6er< race has its on ha!itat&G GDetach a

colon< from the race) and it deteriorates to the cra!&G See the shades of the pict#re&

The >erman and 9rish millions) like the 7egro) ha6e a great deal of g#ano in their

destin<& The< are ferried o6er the 3tlantic and carted o6er 3merica) to ditch and to

dr#dge) to make corn cheap and then to lie don

5age *K

premat#rel< to make a spot of green grass on the prairie& $*(

=ne more fagot of these adamantine !andages is the ne science of Statistics& 9t is a

r#le that the most cas#al and extraordinar< e6ents) if the !asis of pop#lation is !road

eno#gh) !ecome matter of fixed calc#lation& 9t o#ld not !e safe to sa< hen acaptain like Bonaparte) a singer like Jenn< Lind) or a na6igator like Boditch o#ld



!e !orn in Boston; !#t) on a pop#lation of tent< or to h#ndred millions) something

like acc#rac< ma< !e had& $/(

T is fri6olo#s to fix pedanticall< the date of partic#lar in6entions& The< ha6e all !een

in6ented o6er and o6er fift< times& Man is the arch machine of hich all these shifts

dran from himself are to< models& He helps himself on each emergenc< !< cop<ingor d#plicating his on str#ct#re) A#st so far as the need is& T is hard to find the right

Homer) Ooroaster) or Men#; harder still to find the T#!al Cain) or %#lcan) or Cadm#s)

or Copernic#s) or :#st) $-( or :#lton; the indisp#ta!le in6entor& There are scores and

cent#ries of them& GThe air is f#ll of men&G This kind of talent so a!o#nds) this

constr#cti6e tool.making efficienc<) as if it adhered to the chemic atoms; as if the air

he

5age *+

!reathes ere made of %a#cansons) :ranklins) and Watts&

Do#!tless in e6er< million there ill !e an astronomer) a mathematician) a comic poet) a m<stic& 7o one can read the histor< of astronom< itho#t percei6ing that

Copernic#s) 7eton) Laplace) are not ne men) or a ne kind of men) !#t that

Thales) 3naximenes) Hipparch#s) Empedocles) 3ristarch#s) 5<thagoras) =Enipodes)

had anticipated them; each had the same tense geometrical !rain) apt for the same

6igoro#s comp#tation and logic; a mind parallel to the mo6ement of the orld& The

Roman mile pro!a!l< rested on a meas#re of a degree of the meridian& Mahometan

and Chinese kno hat e kno of leap.<ear) of the >regorian calendar) and of the

precession of the e#inoxes& 3s in e6er< !arrel of cories !ro#ght to 7e Bedford

there shall !e one orangia) $*( so there ill) in a do?en millions of Mala<s and

Mahometans) !e one or to astronomical sk#lls& 9n a large cit<) the most cas#al

things) and things hose !ea#t< lies in their cas#alt<) are prod#ced as p#nct#all< and

to order as the !akers m#ffin for !reakfast& 5#nch makes exactl< one capital Aoke a

eek; and the Ao#rnals contri6e to f#rnish one good piece of nes e6er< da<&

5age *1

3nd not less ork the las of repression) the penalities of 6iolated f#nctions& :amine)

t<ph#s) frost) ar) s#icide and effete races m#st !e reckoned calc#la!le parts of the

s<stem of the orld&

These are pe!!les from the mo#ntain) hints of the terms !< hich o#r life is alled#p) and hich sho a kind of mechanical exactness) as of a loom or mill in hat e

call cas#al or fort#ito#s e6ents&

The force ith hich e resist these torrents of tendenc< looks so ridic#lo#sl<

inade#ate that it amo#nts to little more than a criticism or protest made !< a minorit<

of one) #nder comp#lsion of millions& 9 seemed in the height of a tempest to see men

o6er!oard str#ggling in the a6es) and dri6en a!o#t here and there& The< glanced

intelligentl< at each other) !#t t as little the< co#ld do for one another; t as m#ch

if each co#ld keep afloat alone& Well) the< had a right to their e<e.!eams) and all the

rest as :ate& $*(



We cannot trifle ith this realit<) this cropping.o#t in o#r planted gardens of the core

of the orld& 7o pict#re of life can ha6e an< 6eracit< that does not admit the odio#s

facts& 3 mans poer is hooped in !< a necessit< hich)

5age /,

!< man< experiments) he to#ches on e6er< side #ntil he learns its arc&

The element r#nning thro#gh entire nat#re) hich e pop#larl< call :ate) is knon to

#s as limitation& Whate6er limits #s e call :ate& 9f e are !r#te and !ar!aro#s) the

fate takes a !r#te and dreadf#l shape& 3s e refine) o#r checks !ecome finer& 9f e

rise to spirit#al c#lt#re) the antagonism takes a spirit#al form& 9n the Hindoo fa!les)

%ishn# follos Ma<a thro#gh all her ascending changes) from insect and crafish #p

to elephant; hate6er form she took) he took the male form of that kind) #ntil she

!ecame at last oman and goddess) and he a man and a god& The limitations refine as

the so#l p#rifies) !#t the ring of necessit< is ala<s perched at the top&

When the gods in the 7orse hea6en ere #na!le to !ind the :enris Wolf $*( ith steelor ith eight of mo#ntains)the one he snapped and the other he sp#rned ith his

heel)the< p#t ro#nd his foot a limp !and softer than silk or co!e!) and this held

him; the more he sp#rned it the stiffer it dre& So soft and so stanch is the ring of :ate&

7either !rand<) nor nectar) nor s#lph#ric ether) nor hell.fire) nor ichor) nor poetr<) nor

geni#s) can get rid of this limp

5age /*

!and& :or if e gi6e it the high sense in hich the poets #se it) e6en tho#ght itself is

not a!o6e :ate; that too m#st act according to eternal las) and all that is ilf#l and

fantastic in it is in opposition to its f#ndamental essence&

3nd last of all) high o6er tho#ght) in the orld of morals) :ate appears as 6indicator)

le6elling the high) lifting the lo) re#iring A#stice in man) and ala<s striking soon

or late hen A#stice is not done& $*( What is #sef#l ill last) hat is h#rtf#l ill sink&

GThe doer m#st s#ffer)G said the >reeks; G<o# o#ld soothe a Deit< not to !e

soothed&G G>od himself cannot proc#re good for the icked)G said the Welsh triad& $/(

G>od ma< consent) !#t onl< for a time)G said the !ard of Spain& The limitation is

impassa!le !< an< insight of man& 9n its last and loftiest ascensions) insight itself and

the freedom of the ill is one of its o!edient mem!ers& B#t e m#st not r#n into

generali?ations too large) !#t sho the nat#ral !o#nds or essential distinctions) and

seek to do A#stice to the other elements as ell&

Th#s e trace :ate in matter) mind) and morals; in race) in retardations of strata) and

in tho#ght and character as ell& 9t is e6er<here

5age //

!o#nd or limitation& B#t :ate has its lord; limitation its limits)is different seen from

a!o6e and from !elo) from ithin and from itho#t& :or tho#gh :ate is immense) so

is 5oer) hich is the other fact in the d#al orld) immense& 9f :ate follos and limits

5oer) 5oer attends and antagoni?es :ate& We m#st respect :ate as nat#ral histor<)

!#t there is more than nat#ral histor<& $*( :or ho and hat is this criticism that pries

into the matter Man is not order of nat#re) sack and sack) !ell< and mem!ers) link ina chain) nor an< ignominio#s !aggage; !#t a st#pendo#s antagonism) a dragging



together of the poles of the Uni6erse& He !etra<s his relation to hat is !elo him)

thick.sk#lled) small.!rained) fish<) #adr#mano#s) #adr#ped ill.disg#ised) hardl<

escaped into !iped)and has paid for the ne poers !< loss of some of the old ones&

B#t the lightning hich explodes and fashions planets) maker of planets and s#ns) is

in him& =n one side elemental order) sandstone and granite) rock.ledges) peat.!og)

forest) sea and shore; and on the other part tho#ght) the spirit hich composes anddecomposes nat#re)here the< are) side !< side) god and de6il) mind and matter) king

and conspirator) !elt and spasm) riding

5age /-

peacef#ll< together in the e<e and !rain of e6er< man&

7or can he !link the freeill& To ha?ard the contradiction)freedom is necessar<& 9f

<o# please to plant <o#rself on the side of :ate) and sa<) :ate is all; then e sa<) a part

of :ate is the freedom of man& :ore6er ells #p the imp#lse of choosing and acting in

the so#l& 9ntellect ann#ls :ate& So far as a man thinks) he is free& $*( 3nd tho#gh

nothing is more disg#sting than the croing a!o#t li!ert< !< sla6es) as most men are)

and the flippant mistaking for freedom of some paper pream!le like a Declaration of9ndependence or the stat#te right to 6ote) !< those ho ha6e ne6er dared to think or to

act)<et it is holesome to man to look not at :ate) !#t the other a<" the practical

6ie is the other& His so#nd relation to these facts is to #se and command) not to

cringe to them& GLook not on 7at#re) for her name is fatal)G said the oracle& $/( The

too m#ch contemplation of these limits ind#ces meanness& The< ho talk m#ch of

destin<) their !irth.star) etc&) are in a loer dangero#s plane) and in6ite the e6ils the<

fear&

9 cited the instincti6e and heroic races as pro#d !elie6ers in Destin<& The< conspire

ith

5age /0

it; a lo6ing resignation is ith the e6ent& B#t the dogma makes a different impression

hen it is held !< the eak and la?<& T is eak and 6icio#s people ho cast the

!lame on :ate& The right #se of :ate is to !ring #p o#r cond#ct to the loftiness of

nat#re& R#de and in6inci!le except !< themsel6es are the elements& So let man !e& Let

him empt< his !reast of his ind< conceits) and sho his lordship !< manners and

deeds on the scale of nat#re& Let him hold his p#rpose as ith the t#g of gra6itation&

7o poer) no pers#asion) no !ri!e shall make him gi6e #p his point& 3 man o#ght to

compare ad6antageo#sl< ith a ri6er) an oak) or a mo#ntain& $*( He shall ha6e not less

the flo) the expansion) and the resistance of these&

T is the !est #se of :ate to teach a fatal co#rage& >o face the fire at sea) or the cholera

in <o#r friends ho#se) or the !#rglar in <o#r on) or hat danger lies in the a< of

d#t<)knoing <o# are g#arded !< the cher#!im of Destin<& 9f <o# !elie6e in :ate to

<o#r harm) !elie6e it at least for <o#r good&

:or if :ate is so pre6ailing) man also is part of it) and can confront fate ith fate& 9f

the Uni6erse ha6e these sa6age accidents) o#r atoms are as sa6age in resistance& We

sho#ld !e cr#shed

5age /F



!< the atmosphere) !#t for the reaction of the air ithin the !od<& 3 t#!e made of a

film of glass can resist the shock of the ocean if filled ith the same ater& 9f there !e

omnipotence in the stroke) there is omnipotence of recoil&

*& B#t :ate against :ate is onl< parr<ing and defence" there are also the no!le creati6e

forces& The re6elation of Tho#ght takes man o#t of ser6it#de into freedom& We rightl<sa< of o#rsel6es) e ere !orn and afterard e ere !orn again) and man< times&

We ha6e s#ccessi6e experiences so important that the ne forgets the old) and hence

the m<tholog< of the se6en or the nine hea6ens& The da< of da<s) the great da< of the

feast of life) is that in hich the inard e<e opens to the Unit< in things) to the

omnipresence of la"sees that hat is m#st !e and o#ght to !e) or is the !est& This

!eatit#de dips from on high don on #s and e see& 9t is not in #s so m#ch as e are

in it& 9f the air come to o#r l#ngs) e !reathe and li6e; if not) e die& 9f the light come

to o#r e<es) e see; else not& 3nd if tr#th come to o#r mind e s#ddenl< expand to its

dimensions) as if e gre to orlds& We are as lagi6ers; e speak for 7at#re; e

prophes< and di6ine& $*(

This insight thros #s on the part< and

5age /'

interest of the Uni6erse) against all and s#ndr<; against o#rsel6es as m#ch as others& 3

man speaking from insight affirms of himself hat is tr#e of the mind" seeing its

immortalit<) he sa<s) 9 am immortal; seeing its in6inci!ilit<) he sa<s) 9 am strong& $*(

9t is not in #s) !#t e are in it& 9t is of the maker) not of hat is made& 3ll things are

to#ched and changed !< it& This #ses and is not #sed& 9t distances those ho share it

from those ho share it not& Those ho share it not are flocks and herds& 9t dates from

itself; not from former men or !etter men) gospel) or constit#tion) or college) or

c#stom& Where it shines) 7at#re is no longer intr#si6e) !#t all things make a m#sical

or pictorial impression& The orld of men sho like a comed< itho#t la#ghter"

pop#lations) interests) go6ernment) histor<; t is all to< fig#res in a to< ho#se& 9t does

not o6er6al#e partic#lar tr#ths& We hear eagerl< e6er< tho#ght and ord #oted from

an intellect#al man& B#t in his presence o#r on mind is ro#sed to acti6it<) and e

forget 6er< fast hat he sa<s) m#ch more interested in the ne pla< of o#r on

tho#ght than in an< tho#ght of his& $/( T is the maAest< into hich e ha6e s#ddenl<

mo#nted) the impersonalit<) the scorn of egotisms)

5age /K

the sphere of las) that engage #s& =nce e ere stepping a little this a< and a little

that a<; no e are as men in a !alloon) and do not think so m#ch of the point eha6e left) or the point e o#ld make) as of the li!ert< and glor< of the a<&

J#st as m#ch intellect as <o# add) so m#ch organic poer& He ho sees thro#gh the

design) presides o6er it) and m#st ill that hich m#st !e& We sit and r#le) and)

tho#gh e sleep) o#r dream ill come to pass& =#r tho#ght) tho#gh it ere onl< an

ho#r old) affirms an oldest necessit<) not to !e separated from tho#ght) and not to !e

separated from ill& The< m#st ala<s ha6e coexisted& 9t apprises #s of its

so6ereignt< and godhead) hich ref#se to !e se6ered from it& 9t is not mine or thine)

!#t the ill of all mind& 9t is po#red into the so#ls of all men) as the so#l itself hich

constit#tes them men& 9 kno not hether there !e) as is alleged) in the #pper region

of o#r atmosphere) a permanent esterl< c#rrent hich carries ith it all atoms hichrise to that height) !#t 9 see that hen so#ls reach a certain clearness of perception



the< accept a knoledge and moti6e a!o6e selfishness& 3 !reath of ill !los

eternall< thro#gh the #ni6erse of so#ls in the

5age /+

direction of the Right and 7ecessar<& 9t is the air hich all intellects inhale and

exhale) and it is the ind hich !los the orlds into order and or!it&

Tho#ght dissol6es the material #ni6erse !< carr<ing the mind #p into a sphere here

all is plastic& =f to men) each o!e<ing his on tho#ght) he hose tho#ght is deepest

ill !e the strongest character& 3la<s one man more than another represents the ill

of Di6ine 5ro6idence to the period&

/& 9f tho#ght makes free) so does the moral sentiment& The mixt#res of spirit#al

chemistr< ref#se to !e anal<?ed& @et e can see that ith the perception of tr#th is

Aoined the desire that it shall pre6ail; that affection is essential to ill& $*( Moreo6er)

hen a strong ill appears) it #s#all< res#lts from a certain #nit< of organi?ation) as if

the hole energ< of !od< and mind floed in one direction& 3ll great force is real andelemental& There is no man#fact#ring a strong ill& There m#st !e a po#nd to !alance

a po#nd& Where poer is shon in ill) it m#st rest on the #ni6ersal force& 3laric and

Bonaparte m#st !elie6e the< rest on a tr#th) or their ill can !e !o#ght or !ent& There

is a !ri!e possi!le for an< finite ill& B#t the p#re s<mpath< ith

5age /1

#ni6ersal ends is an infinite force) and cannot !e !ri!ed or !ent& Whoe6er has had

experience of the moral sentiment cannot choose !#t !elie6e in #nlimited poer& Each

p#lse from that heart is an oath from the Most High& 9 kno not hat the ord

s#!lime means) if it !e not the intimations) in this infant) of a terrific force& $*( 3 text

of heroism) a name and anecdote of co#rage) are not arg#ments !#t sallies of freedom&

=ne of these is the 6erse of the 5ersian Hafi?) GT is ritten on the gate of Hea6en)

Woe #nto him ho s#ffers himself to !e !etra<ed !< :ateG Does the reading of

histor< make #s fatalists What co#rage does not the opposite opinion sho 3 little

him of ill to !e free gallantl< contending against the #ni6erse of chemistr<&

B#t insight is not ill) nor is affection ill& 5erception is cold) and goodness dies in

ishes& 3s %oltaire said) t is the misfort#ne of orth< people that the< are coards;

G#n des pl#s grands malhe#rs des honnPtes gens cest #ils sont des lQches&G There

m#st !e a f#sion of these to to generate the energ< of ill& There can !e no dri6ing

force except thro#gh the con6ersion of the man into his ill) making him the ill) andthe ill him& 3nd one ma< sa< !oldl<

5age -,

that no man has a right perception of an< tr#th ho has not !een reacted on !< it so as

to !e read< to !e its mart<r&

The one serio#s and formida!le thing in nat#re is a ill& Societ< is ser6ile from ant

of ill) and therefore the orld ants sa6io#rs and religions& =ne a< is right to go;

the hero sees it) and mo6es on that aim) and has the orld #nder him for root and

s#pport& He is to others as the orld& His appro!ation is honor; his dissent) infam<&

The glance of his e<e has the force of s#n!eams& 3 personal infl#ence toers #p in



memor< onl< orth<) and e gladl< forget n#m!ers) mone<) climate) gra6itation) and

the rest of :ate&

We can afford to allo the limitation) if e kno it is the meter of the groing man&

We stand against :ate) as children stand #p against the all in their fathers ho#se and

notch their height from <ear to <ear& B#t hen the !o< gros to man) and is master ofthe ho#se) he p#lls don that all and !#ilds a ne and !igger& T is onl< a #estion

of time& E6er< !ra6e <o#th is in training to ride and r#le this dragon& His science is to

make eapons and ings of these passions and retarding forces& $*(

5age -*

7o hether) seeing these to things) fate and poer) e are permitted to !elie6e in

#nit< The !#lk of mankind !elie6e in to gods& The< are #nder one dominion here in

the ho#se) as friend and parent) in social circles) in letters) in art) in lo6e) in religion;

!#t in mechanics) in dealing ith steam and climate) in trade) in politics) the< think

the< come #nder another; and that it o#ld !e a practical !l#nder to transfer the

method and a< of orking of one sphere into the other& What good) honest) genero#smen at home) ill !e ol6es and foxes on Change What pio#s men in the parlor ill

6ote for hat repro!ates at the polls To a certain point) the< !elie6e themsel6es the

care of a 5ro6idence& B#t in a steam!oat) in an epidemic) in ar) the< !elie6e a

malignant energ< r#les& $*(

B#t relation and connection are not somehere and sometimes) !#t e6er<here and

ala<s& The di6ine order does not stop here their sight stops& The friendl< poer

orks on the same r#les in the next farm and the next planet& B#t here the< ha6e not

experience the< r#n against it and h#rt themsel6es& :ate then is a name for facts not

<et passed #nder the fire of tho#ght; for ca#ses hich are #npenetrated&

5age -/

B#t e6er< Aet of chaos hich threatens to exterminate #s is con6erti!le !< intellect

into holesome force& :ate is #npenetrated ca#ses& The ater drons ship and sailor

like a grain of d#st& B#t learn to sim) trim <o#r !ark) and the a6e hich droned it

ill !e clo6en !< it and carr< it like its on foam) a pl#me and a poer& $*( The cold

is inconsiderate of persons) tingles <o#r !lood) free?es a man like a de.drop& B#t

learn to skate) and the ice ill gi6e <o# a gracef#l) seet) and poetic motion& The cold

ill !race <o#r lim!s and !rain to geni#s) and make <o# foremost men of time& Cold

and sea ill train an imperial Saxon race) hich nat#re cannot !ear to lose) and aftercooping it #p for a tho#sand <ears in <onder England) gi6es a h#ndred Englands) a

h#ndred Mexicos& 3ll the !loods it shall a!sor! and domineer" and more than

Mexicos) the secrets of ater and steam) the spasms of electricit<) the d#ctilit< of

metals) the chariot of the air) the r#ddered !alloon are aaiting <o#&

The ann#al sla#ghter from t<ph#s far exceeds that of ar; !#t right drainage destro<s

t<ph#s& The plag#e in the sea.ser6ice from sc#r6< is healed !< lemon A#ice and other

diets porta!le or proc#ra!le; the depop#lation !< cholera and

5age --

small.pox is ended !< drainage and 6accination; and e6er< other pest is not less in thechain of ca#se and effect) and ma< !e fo#ght off& 3nd hilst art dras o#t the 6enom)



it commonl< extorts some !enefit from the 6an#ished enem<& The mischie6o#s

torrent is ta#ght to dr#dge for man; the ild !easts he makes #sef#l for food) or dress)

or la!or; the chemic explosions are controlled like his atch& These are no the steeds

on hich he rides& Man mo6es in all modes) !< legs of horses) !< ings of ind) !<

steam) !< gas of !alloon) !< electricit<) and stands on tiptoe threatening to h#nt the

eagle in his on element& Theres nothing he ill not make his carrier&

Steam as till the other da< the de6il hich e dreaded& E6er< pot made !< an<

h#man potter or !ra?ier had a hole in its co6er) to let off the enem<) lest he sho#ld lift

pot and roof and carr< the ho#se aa<& B#t the Mar#is of Worcester) $*( Watt) and

:#lton !etho#ght themsel6es that here as poer as not de6il) !#t as >od; that it

m#st !e a6ailed of) and not !< an< means let off and asted& Co#ld he lift pots and

roofs and ho#ses so handil< He as the orkman the< ere in search of& He co#ld

!e #sed to lift aa<) chain and compel other

5age -0

de6ils far more rel#ctant and dangero#s) namel<) c#!ic miles of earth) mo#ntains)eight or resistance of ater) machiner<) and the la!ors of all men in the orld; and

time he shall lengthen) and shorten space&

9t has not fared m#ch otherise ith higher kinds of steam& The opinion of the million

as the terror of the orld) and it as attempted either to dissipate it) !< am#sing

nations) or to pile it o6er ith strata of societ<)a la<er of soldiers) o6er that a la<er

of lords) and a king on the top; ith clamps and hoops of castles) garrisons) and

police& B#t sometimes the religio#s principle o#ld get in and !#rst the hoops and

ri6e e6er< mo#ntain laid on top of it& The :#ltons and Watts of politics) !elie6ing in

#nit<) sa that it as a poer) and !< satisf<ing it as A#stice satisfies e6er<!od<)

thro#gh a different disposition of societ<)gro#ping it on a le6el instead of piling it

into a mo#ntain)the< ha6e contri6ed to make of this terror the most harmless and

energetic form of a State&

%er< odio#s) 9 confess) are the lessons of :ate& Who likes to ha6e a dapper

phrenologist prono#ncing on his fort#nes Who likes to !elie6e that he has) hidden in

his sk#ll) spine) and pel6is) all the 6ices of a Saxon or Celtic race) hich

5age -F

ill !e s#re to p#ll him don)ith hat grande#r of hope and resol6e he is fired)

into a selfish) h#ckstering) ser6ile) dodging animal 3 learned ph<sician tells #s thefact is in6aria!le ith the 7eapolitan) that hen mat#re he ass#mes the forms of the

#nmistaka!le sco#ndrel& That is a little o6erstated)!#t ma< pass&

B#t these are maga?ines and arsenals& 3 man m#st thank his defects) and stand in

some terror of his talents& 3 transcendent talent dras so largel< on his forces as to

lame him; a defect pa<s him re6en#es on the other side& The s#fferance hich is the

!adge of the Je) has made him) in these da<s) the r#ler of the r#lers of the earth& 9f

:ate is ore and #arr<) if e6il is good in the making) if limitation is poer that shall

!e) if calamities) oppositions) and eights are ings and means)e are reconciled&

$*(



:ate in6ol6es the melioration& 7o statement of the Uni6erse can ha6e an< so#ndness

hich does not admit its ascending effort& The direction of the hole and of the parts

is toard !enefit) and in proportion to the health& Behind e6er< indi6id#al closes

organi?ation; !efore him opens li!ert<)the Better) the Best& The first and orse

races are dead& The second and imperfect races are d<ing o#t) or remain for the

5age -'

mat#ring of higher& 9n the latest race) in man) e6er< generosit<) e6er< ne perception)

the lo6e and praise he extorts from his fellos) are certificates of ad6ance o#t of fate

into freedom& Li!eration of the ill from the sheaths and clogs of organi?ation hich

he has o#tgron) is the end and aim of this orld& E6er< calamit< is a sp#r and

6al#a!le hint; and here his endea6ors do not <et f#ll< a6ail) the< tell as tendenc<&

The hole circle of animal lifetooth against tooth) de6o#ring ar) ar for food) a

<elp of pain and a gr#nt of tri#mph) #ntil at last the hole menagerie) the hole

chemical mass is melloed and refined for higher #sepleases at a s#fficient

perspecti6e&

B#t to see ho fate slides into freedom and freedom into fate) o!ser6e ho far the

roots of e6er< creat#re r#n) or find if <o# can a point here there is no thread of

connection& =#r life is consentaneo#s and far.related& This knot of nat#re is so ell

tied that no!od< as e6er c#nning eno#gh to find the to ends& 7at#re is intricate)

o6erlapped) interea6ed and endless& Christopher Wren said of the !ea#tif#l Iings

College chapel) $*( that Gif an<!od< o#ld tell him here to la< the first stone) he

o#ld !#ild s#ch another&G B#t here shall e find the first atom

5age -K

in this ho#se of man) hich is all consent) inosc#lation and !alance of parts

The e! of relation is shon in ha!itat) shon in hi!ernation& When hi!ernation as

o!ser6ed) it as fo#nd that hilst some animals !ecame torpid in inter) others ere

torpid in s#mmer" hi!ernation then as a false name& The long sleep is not an effect of

cold) !#t is reg#lated !< the s#ppl< of food proper to the animal& 9t !ecomes torpid

hen the fr#it or pre< it li6es on is not in season) and regains its acti6it< hen its food

is read<&

E<es are fo#nd in light; ears in a#ric#lar air; feet on land; fins in ater; ings in air;

and each creat#re here it as meant to !e) ith a m#t#al fitness& E6er< ?one has its

on :a#na& There is adA#stment !eteen the animal and its food) its parasite) itsenem<& Balances are kept& 9t is not alloed to diminish in n#m!ers) nor to exceed& The

like adA#stments exist for man& His food is cooked hen he arri6es; his coal in the pit;

the ho#se 6entilated; the m#d of the del#ge dried; his companions arri6ed at the same

ho#r) and aaiting him ith lo6e) concert) la#ghter and tears& These are coarse

adA#stments) !#t the in6isi!le are not less& There are more !elongings to e6er<

creat#re than his air

5age -+

and his food& His instincts m#st !e met) and he has predisposing poer that !ends and

fits hat is near him to his #se& He is not possi!le #ntil the in6isi!le things are right

for him) as ell as the 6isi!le& =f hat changes then in sk< and earth) and in finerskies and earths) does the appearance of some Dante or Col#m!#s apprise #s $*(



Ho is this effected 7at#re is no spendthrift) !#t takes the shortest a< to her ends&

3s the general sa<s to his soldiers) G9f <o# ant a fort) !#ild a fort)G so nat#re makes

e6er< creat#re do its on ork and get its li6ing)is it planet) animal or tree& The

planet makes itself& The animal cell makes itself;then) hat it ants& E6er<

creat#re) ren or dragon) shall make its on lair& 3s soon as there is life) there is self.direction and a!sor!ing and #sing of material& Life is freedom)life in the direct ratio

of its amo#nt& @o# ma< !e s#re the ne.!orn man is not inert& Life orks !oth

6ol#ntaril< and s#pernat#rall< in its neigh!orhood& Do <o# s#ppose he can !e

estimated !< his eight in po#nds) or that he is contained in his skin)this reaching)

radiating) Aac#lating fello The smallest candle fills a mile ith its ra<s) and the

papillae of a man r#n o#t to e6er< star&

5age -1

When there is something to !e done) the orld knos ho to get it done& The

6egeta!le e<e makes leaf) pericarp) root) !ark) or thorn) as the need is; the first cellcon6erts itself into stomach) mo#th) nose) or nail) according to the ant; the orld

thros its life into a hero or a shepherd) and p#ts him here he is anted& Dante and

Col#m!#s ere 9talians) in their time; the< o#ld !e R#ssians or 3mericans to.da<&

Things ripen) ne men come& The adaptation is not capricio#s& The #lterior aim) the

p#rpose !e<ond itself) the correlation !< hich planets s#!side and cr<stalli?e) then

animate !easts and men)ill not stop !#t ill ork into finer partic#lars) and from

finer to finest&

The secret of the orld is the tie !eteen person and e6ent& 5erson makes e6ent) and

e6ent person& The Gtimes)G Gthe age)G hat is that !#t a fe profo#nd persons and a

fe acti6e persons ho epitomi?e the times>oethe) Hegel) Metternich) 3dams)

Calho#n) >#i?ot) 5eel) Co!den) Ioss#th) Rothschild) 3stor) Br#nel) and the rest& The

same fitness m#st !e pres#med !eteen a man and the time and e6ent) as !eteen the

sexes) or !eteen a race of animals and the food it eats) or the

5age 0,

inferior races it #ses& He thinks his fate alien) !eca#se the cop#la is hidden& B#t the

so#l contains the e6ent that shall !efall it; for the e6ent is onl< the act#ali?ation of its

tho#ghts) and hat e pra< to o#rsel6es for is ala<s granted& $*( The e6ent is the

print of <o#r form& 9t fits <o# like <o#r skin& What each does is proper to him& E6ents

are the children of his !od< and mind& We learn that the so#l of :ate is the so#l of #s)as Hafi? sings)

G3las till no 9 had not knon)

M< g#ide and fort#nes g#ide are one&G

3ll the to<s that infat#ate men and hich the< pla< for)ho#ses) land) mone<) l#x#r<)

poer) fame) are the selfsame thing) ith a ne ga#?e or to of ill#sion o6erlaid& 3nd

of all the dr#ms and rattles !< hich men are made illing to ha6e their heads !roke)

and are led o#t solemnl< e6er< morning to parade)the most admira!le is this !<

hich e are !ro#ght to !elie6e that e6ents are ar!itrar< and independent of actions&

3t the conA#rors) e detect the hair !< hich he mo6es his p#ppet) !#t e ha6e not

e<es sharp eno#gh to descr< the thread that ties ca#se and effect&



7at#re magicall< s#its the man to his fort#nes) !< making these the fr#it of his

character&

5age 0*

D#cks take to the ater) eagles to the sk<) aders to the sea margin) h#nters to the

forest) clerks to co#nting.rooms) soldiers to the frontier& Th#s e6ents gro on thesame stem ith persons; are s#!.persons& The pleas#re of life is according to the man

that li6es it) and not according to the ork or the place& Life is an ecstas<& We kno

hat madness !elongs to lo6e)hat poer to paint a 6ile o!Aect in h#es of hea6en&

3s insane persons are indifferent to their dress) diet) and other accommodations) and

as e do in dreams) ith e#animit<) the most a!s#rd acts) so a drop more of ine in

o#r c#p of life ill reconcile #s to strange compan< and ork& Each creat#re p#ts

forth from itself its on condition and sphere) as the sl#g seats o#t its slim< ho#se

on the pear.leaf) and the ooll< aphides on the apple perspire their on !ed) and the

fish its shell& 9n <o#th e clothe o#rsel6es ith rain!os and go as !ra6e as the

?odiac& 9n age e p#t o#t another sort of perspiration)go#t) fe6er) rhe#matism)

caprice) do#!t) fretting and a6arice&

3 mans fort#nes are the fr#it of his character& 3 mans friends are his magnetisms& $*(

We go to Herodot#s and 5l#tarch for examples of :ate; !#t e are examples&

G#is#e s#os

5age 0/

patim#r manes&G $*( The tendenc< of e6er< man to enact all that is in his constit#tion

is expressed in the old !elief that the efforts hich e make to escape from o#r

destin< onl< ser6e to lead #s into it" and 9 ha6e noticed a man likes !etter to !e

complimented on his position) as the proof of the last or total excellence) than on his

merits&

3 man ill see his character emitted in the e6ents that seem to meet) !#t hich ex#de

from and accompan< him& E6ents expand ith the character& 3s once he fo#nd

himself among to<s) so no he pla<s a part in colossal s<stems) and his groth is

declared in his am!ition) his companions and his performance& He looks like a piece

of l#ck) !#t is a piece of ca#sation; the mosaic) ang#lated and gro#nd to fit into the

gap he fills& Hence in each ton there is some man ho is) in his !rain and

performance) an explanation of the tillage) prod#ction) factories) !anks) ch#rches)

a<s of li6ing and societ< of that ton& 9f <o# do not chance to meet him) all that <o#

see ill lea6e <o# a little p#??led; if <o# see him it ill !ecome plain& We kno inMassach#setts ho !#ilt 7e Bedford) ho !#ilt L<nn) Loell) Larence) Clinton)

:itch!#rg) Hol<oke) 5ortland) and man< another nois<

5age 0-

mart& $*( Each of these men) if the< ere transparent) o#ld seem to <o# not so m#ch

men as alking cities) and here6er <o# p#t them the< o#ld !#ild one&

Histor< is the action and reaction of these to)7at#re and Tho#ght; to !o<s

p#shing each other on the c#r!stone of the pa6ement& E6er<thing is p#sher or p#shed;

and matter and mind are in perpet#al tilt and !alance) so& Whilst the man is eak) the

earth takes #p him& He plants his !rain and affections& B< and !< he ill take #p theearth) and ha6e his gardens and 6ine<ards in the !ea#tif#l order and prod#cti6eness of



his tho#ght& E6er< solid in the #ni6erse is read< to !ecome fl#id on the approach of

the mind) and the poer to fl#x it is the meas#re of the mind& $/( 9f the all remain

adamant) it acc#ses the ant of tho#ght& To a s#!tle force it ill stream into ne

forms) expressi6e of the character of the mind& What is the cit< in hich e sit here)

!#t an aggregate of incongr#o#s materials hich ha6e o!e<ed the ill of some man

$-( The granite as rel#ctant) !#t his hands ere stronger) and it came& 9ron as deepin the gro#nd and ell com!ined ith stone) !#t co#ld not hide from his fires& Wood)

lime) st#ffs) fr#its) g#ms) ere dispersed o6er the

5age 00

earth and sea) in 6ain& Here the< are) ithin reach of e6er< mans da<.la!or)hat he

ants of them& The hole orld is the fl#x of matter o6er the ires of tho#ght to the

poles or points here it o#ld !#ild& The races of men rise o#t of the gro#nd

preocc#pied ith a tho#ght hich r#les them) and di6ided into parties read< armed

and angr< to fight for this metaph<sical a!straction& The #alit< of the tho#ght

differences the Eg<ptian and the Roman) the 3#strian and the 3merican& The men

ho come on the stage at one period are all fo#nd to !e related to each other& Certainideas are in the air& We are all impressiona!le) for e are made of them; all

impressiona!le) !#t some more than others) and these first express them& This

explains the c#rio#s contemporaneo#sness of in6entions and disco6eries& The tr#th is

in the air) and the most impressiona!le !rain ill anno#nce it first) !#t all ill

anno#nce it a fe min#tes later& So omen) as most s#scepti!le) are the !est index of

the coming ho#r& $*( So the great man) that is) the man most im!#ed ith the spirit of

the time) is the impressiona!le man;of a fi!re irrita!le and delicate) like iodine to

light& He feels the infinitesimal attractions& His mind is righter than others !eca#se he

<ields to a

5age 0F

c#rrent so fee!le as can !e felt onl< !< a needle delicatel< poised& $*(

The correlation is shon in defects& MNller) in his Essa< on 3rchitect#re) ta#ght that

the !#ilding hich as fitted acc#ratel< to anser its end o#ld t#rn o#t to !e

!ea#tif#l tho#gh !ea#t< had not !een intended& 9 find the like #nit< in h#man

str#ct#res rather 6ir#lent and per6asi6e; that a cr#dit< in the !lood ill appear in the

arg#ment; a h#mp in the sho#lder ill appear in the speech and handiork& 9f his

mind co#ld !e seen) the h#mp o#ld !e seen& 9f a man has a see.sa in his 6oice) it

ill r#n into his sentences) into his poem) into the str#ct#re of his fa!le) into his

spec#lation) into his charit<& 3nd as e6er< man is h#nted !< his on daemon) 6exed

!< his on disease) this checks all his acti6it<& $/(

So each man) like each plant) has his parasites& 3 strong) astringent) !ilio#s nat#re has

more tr#c#lent enemies than the sl#gs and moths that fret m< lea6es& S#ch an one has

c#rc#lios) !orers) knife.orms; a sindler ate him first) then a client) then a #ack)

then smooth) pla#si!le gentlemen) !itter and selfish as Moloch&

This correlation reall< existing can !e di6ined& 9f the threads are there) tho#ght can

follo and

5age 0'

sho them& Especiall< hen a so#l is #ick and docile) as Cha#cer sings"G=r if the so#le of proper kind



Be so parfite as men find)

That it ot hat is to come)

3nd that he arneth all and some

=f e6eriche of hir a6ent#res)

B< a6isions or fig#res;

B#t that o#r flesh hath no mightTo #nderstand it aright

:or it is arned too derkel<&G $*(

Some people are made #p of rh<me) coincidence) omen) periodicit<) and presage" the<

meet the person the< seek; hat their companion prepares to sa< to them) the< first

sa< to him; and a h#ndred signs apprise them of hat is a!o#t to !efall& $/(

Wonderf#l intricac< in the e!) onderf#l constanc< in the design this 6aga!ond life

admits& We onder ho the fl< finds its mate) and <et <ear after <ear) e find to

men) to omen) itho#t legal or carnal tie) spend a great part of their !est time

ithin a fe feet of each other& 3nd the moral is that hat e seek e shall find; hat

e flee from flees from #s; as >oethe said) Ghat e ish for in <o#th) comes inheaps on #s in old age)G too often c#rsed

5age 0K

ith the granting of o#r pra<er" and hence the high ca#tion) that since e are s#re of

ha6ing hat e ish) e !eare to ask onl< for high things&

=ne ke<) one sol#tion to the m<steries of h#man condition) one sol#tion to the old

knots of fate) freedom) and foreknoledge) exists; the propo#nding) namel<) of the

do#!le conscio#sness& 3 man m#st ride alternatel< on the horses of his pri6ate and his

p#!lic nat#re) as the e#estrians in the circ#s thro themsel6es nim!l< from horse to

horse) or plant one foot on the !ack of one and the other foot on the !ack of the other&

$*( So hen a man is the 6ictim of his fate) has sciatica in his loins and cramp in his

mind; a cl#!.foot and a cl#! in his it; a so#r face and a selfish temper; a str#t in his

gait and a conceit in his affection; or is gro#nd to poder !< the 6ice of his race;he

is to rall< on his relation to the Uni6erse) hich his r#in !enefits& Lea6ing the daemon

ho s#ffers) he is to take sides ith the Deit< ho sec#res #ni6ersal !enefit !< his

pain&

To offset the drag of temperament and race) hich p#lls don) learn this lesson)

namel<) that !< the c#nning co.presence of to elements) hich is thro#gho#t nat#re)

hate6er lames or

5age 0+

paral<?es <o# dras in ith it the di6init<) in some form) to repa<& 3 good intention

clothes itself ith s#dden poer& When a god ishes to ride) an< chip or pe!!le ill

!#d and shoot o#t inged feet and ser6e him for a horse& $*(

Let #s !#ild altars to the Blessed Unit< hich holds nat#re and so#ls in perfect

sol#tion) and compels e6er< atom to ser6e an #ni6ersal end& 9 do not onder at a

sno.flake) a shell) a s#mmer landscape) or the glor< of the stars; !#t at the necessit<

of !ea#t< #nder hich the #ni6erse lies; that all is and m#st !e pictorial; that the

rain!o and the c#r6e of the hori?on and the arch of the !l#e 6a#lt are onl< res#ltsfrom the organism of the e<e& $/( There is no need for foolish amate#rs to fetch me to



admire a garden of floers) or a s#n.gilt clo#d) or a aterfall) hen 9 cannot look

itho#t seeing splendor and grace& Ho idle to choose a random sparkle here or there)

hen the indelling necessit< plants the rose of !ea#t< on the !ro of chaos) and

discloses the central intention of 7at#re to !e harmon< and Ao<&

Let #s !#ild altars to the Bea#tif#l 7ecessit<& $-( 9f e tho#ght men ere free in thesense that in a single exception one fantastical ill co#ld pre6ail o6er the la of

things) it ere all

5age 01

one as if a childs hand co#ld p#ll don the s#n& 9f in the least partic#lar one co#ld

derange the order of nat#re)ho o#ld accept the gift of life

Let #s !#ild altars to the Bea#tif#l 7ecessit<) hich sec#res that all is made of one

piece; that plaintiff and defendant) friend and enem<) animal and planet) food and

eater are of one kind& 9n astronom< is 6ast space !#t no foreign s<stem; in geolog<)

6ast time !#t the same las as to.da<& Wh< sho#ld e !e afraid of 7at#re) hich is noother than Gphilosoph< and theolog< em!odiedG Wh< sho#ld e fear to !e cr#shed

!< sa6age elements) e ho are made #p of the same elements Let #s !#ild to the

Bea#tif#l 7ecessit<) hich makes man !ra6e in !elie6ing that he cannot sh#n a

danger that is appointed) nor inc#r one that is not; to the 7ecessit< hich r#del< or

softl< ed#cates him to the perception that there are no contingencies; that La r#les

thro#gho#t existence; a La hich is not intelligent !#t intelligence;not personal

nor impersonalit disdains ords and passes #nderstanding; it dissol6es persons; it

6i6ifies nat#re; <et solicits the p#re in heart to dra on all its omnipotence& $*(

5age $#nn#m!ered(

44 5re6io#s section 7ext section 88

5oered !< DLS

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5age $#nn#m!ered(

99& 5=WER His tong#e as framed to m#sic)



3nd his hand as armed ith skill;

His face as the mo#ld of !ea#t<)

3nd his heart the throne of ill&

5age $#nn#m!ered(

5age $#nn#m!ered(

5=WER THERE is not <et an< in6entor< of a mans fac#lties) an< more than a !i!le of his

opinions& Who shall set a limit to the infl#ence of a h#man !eing There are men ho

!< their s<mpathetic attractions carr< nations ith them and lead the acti6it< of the

h#man race& 3nd if there !e s#ch a tie that here6er the mind of man goes) nat#re ill

accompan< him) perhaps there are men hose magnetisms are of that force to dra

material and elemental poers) and) here the< appear) immense instr#mentalities

organi?e aro#nd them& Life is a search after poer; and this is an element ith hich

the orld is so sat#rated)there is no chink or cre6ice in hich it is not lodged)that

no honest seeking goes #nrearded& 3 man sho#ld pri?e e6ents and possessions as the

ore in hich this fine mineral is fo#nd; and he can ell afford to let e6ents and

possessions and the !reath of the !od< go) if their 6al#e has !een added to him in theshape of poer& 9f he ha6e sec#red the elixir) he can spare the ide gardens from

hich it as distilled& 3 c#lti6ated man) ise to kno and !old to perform)

5age F0

is the end to hich nat#re orks) and the ed#cation of the ill is the floering and

res#lt of all this geolog< and astronom<&

3ll s#ccessf#l men ha6e agreed in one thing)the< ere ca#sationists& The< !elie6ed

that things ent not !< l#ck) !#t !< la; that there as not a eak or a cracked link in

the chain that Aoins the first and last of things& 3 !elief in ca#salit<) or strict

connection !eteen e6er< p#lse.!eat and the principle of !eing) and) in conse#ence)

!elief in compensation) or that nothing is got for nothing)characteri?es all 6al#a!le

minds) and m#st control e6er< effort that is made !< an ind#strio#s one& The most

6aliant men are the !est !elie6ers in the tension of the las& G3ll the great captains)G

said Bonaparte) Gha6e performed 6ast achie6ements !< conforming ith the r#les of

the art)!< adA#sting efforts to o!stacles&G $*(

The ke< to the age ma< !e this) or that) or the other) as the <o#ng orators descri!e; the

ke< to all ages is9m!ecilit<; im!ecilit< in the 6ast maAorit< of men at all times) and

e6en in heroes in all !#t certain eminent moments; 6ictims of gra6it<) c#stom and fear&

$/( This gi6es force to the strong)that the m#ltit#de ha6e no ha!it of self.reliance or original action&

5age FF

We m#st reckon s#ccess a constit#tional trait& Co#rage) the old ph<sicians ta#ght and

their meaning holds) if their ph<siolog< is a little m<thical)co#rage) or the degree

of life) is as the degree of circ#lation of the !lood in the arteries& GD#ring passion)

anger) f#r<) trials of strength) restling) fighting) a large amo#nt of !lood is collected

in the arteries) the maintenance of !odil< strength re#iring it) and !#t little is sent

into the 6eins& This condition is constant ith intrepid persons&G Where the arteries

hold their !lood) is co#rage and ad6ent#re possi!le& Where the< po#r it #nrestrainedinto the 6eins) the spirit is lo and fee!le& :or performance of great mark) it needs



extraordinar< health& 9f Eric is in ro!#st health) and has slept ell) and is at the top of

his condition) and thirt< <ears old) at his depart#re from >reenland he ill steer est)

and his ships ill reach 7efo#ndland& B#t take o#t Eric and p#t in a stronger and

!older man)Biorn) or Thorfin)and the ships ill) ith A#st as m#ch ease) sail six

h#ndred) one tho#sand) fifteen h#ndred miles f#rther) and reach La!rador and 7e

England& There is no chance in res#lts& With ad#lts) as ith children) one class entercordiall< into the game and hirl ith the hirling orld; the

5age F'

others ha6e cold hands and remain !<standers; or are onl< dragged in !< the h#mor

and 6i6acit< of those ho can carr< a dead eight& The first ealth is health& Sickness

is poor.spirited) and cannot ser6e an< one" it m#st h#s!and its reso#rces to li6e& $*(

B#t health or f#lness ansers its on ends and has to spare) r#ns o6er) and in#ndates

the neigh!orhoods and creeks of other mens necessities&

3ll poer is of one kind) a sharing of the nat#re of the orld& The mind that is parallel

ith the las of nat#re ill !e in the c#rrent of e6ents and strong ith their strength&

=ne man is made of the same st#ff of hich e6ents are made; is in s<mpath< ith theco#rse of things; can predict it& Whate6er !efalls) !efalls him first; so that he is e#al

to hate6er shall happen& 3 man ho knos men) can talk ell on politics) trade) la)

ar) religion& :or e6er<here men are led in the same manners& $/(

The ad6antage of a strong p#lse is not to !e s#pplied !< an< la!or) art or concert& 9t is

like the climate) hich easil< rears a crop hich no glass) or irrigation) or tillage) or

man#res can elsehere ri6al& 9t is like the opport#nit< of a cit< like 7e @ork or

Constantinople) hich needs no diplomac< to force capital or geni#s

5age FK

or la!or to it& The< come of themsel6es) as the aters flo to it& So a !road) health<)

massi6e #nderstanding seems to lie on the shore of #nseen ri6ers) of #nseen oceans)

hich are co6ered ith !arks that night and da< are drifted to this point& That is

po#red into its lap hich other men lie plotting for& 9t is in e6er<!od<s secret;

anticipates e6er<!od<s disco6er<; and if it do not command e6er< fact of the geni#s

and the scholar) it is !eca#se it is large and sl#ggish) and does not think them orth

the exertion hich <o# do&

This affirmati6e force is in one and is not in another) as one horse has the spring in

him) and another in the hip& G=n the neck of the <o#ng man)G said Hafi?) Gsparkles

no gem so gracio#s as enterprise&G 9mport into an< stationar< district) as into an oldD#tch pop#lation in 7e @ork or 5enns<l6ania) or among the planters of %irginia) a

colon< of hard< @ankees) ith seething !rains) heads f#ll of steam.hammer) p#lle<)

crank and toothed heel)and e6er<thing !egins to shine ith 6al#es& What

enhancement to all the ater and land in England is the arri6al of James Watt or

Br#nel $*( 9n e6er< compan< there is not onl< the acti6e and passi6e sex) !#t in !oth

men and omen a deeper and more

5age F+

important sex of mind) namel< the in6enti6e or creati6e class of !oth men and

omen) and the #nin6enti6e or accepting class& Each pl#s man represents his set) and

if he ha6e the accidental ad6antage of personal ascendenc<)hich implies neithermore nor less of talent) !#t merel< the temperamental or taming e<e of a soldier or a



schoolmaster hich one has) and one has not) as one has a !lack m#stache and one a

!lond)then #ite easil< and itho#t en6< or resistance all his coadA#tors and

feeders ill admit his right to a!sor! them& The merchant orks !< !ook.keeper and

cashier; the la<ers a#thorities are h#nted #p !< clerks; the geologist reports the

s#r6e<s of his s#!alterns; Commander Wilkes appropriates the res#lts of all the

nat#ralists attached to the Expedition; Thorald sens stat#e is finished !< stone.c#tters; D#mas has Ao#rne<men; and Shakspeare as theatre.manager and #sed the

la!or of man< <o#ng men) as ell as the pla<!ooks&

There is ala<s room for a man of force) and he makes room for man<& Societ< is a

troop of thinkers) and the !est heads among them take the !est places& 3 fee!le man

can see the farms that are fenced and tilled) the ho#ses that are !#ilt& The strong man

sees the possi!le ho#ses

5age F1

and farms& His e<e makes estates) as fast as the s#n !reeds clo#ds& $*(

When a ne !o< comes into school) hen a man tra6els and enco#nters strangers

e6er< da<) or hen into an< old cl#! a ne.comer is domesticated)that happens

hich !efalls hen a strange ox is dri6en into a pen or past#re here cattle are kept;

there is at once a trial of strength !eteen the !est pair of horns and the ne.comer)

and it is settled thenceforth hich is the leader& So no) there is a meas#ring of

strength) 6er< co#rteo#s !#t decisi6e) and an ac#iescence thenceforard hen these

to meet& Each reads his fate in the others e<es& $/( The eaker part< finds that none

of his information or it #ite fits the occasion& He tho#ght he kne this or that; he

finds that he omitted to learn the end of it& 7othing that he knos ill #ite hit the

mark) hilst all the ri6als arros are good) and ell thron& B#t if he kne all the

facts in the enc<clopedia) it o#ld not help him; for this is an affair of presence of

mind) of attit#de) of aplom!" the opponent has the s#n and ind) and) in e6er< cast)

the choice of eapon and mark; and hen he himself is matched ith some other

antagonist) his on shafts fl< ell and hit& T is a #estion of stomach and

constit#tion&

5age ',

The second man is as good as the first)perhaps !etter; !#t has not sto#tness or

stomach) as the first has) and so his it seems o6er.fine or #nder.fine&

Health is good)poer) life) that resists disease) poison and all enemies) and isconser6ati6e as ell as creati6e& Here is #estion) e6er< spring) hether to graft ith

ax) or hether ith cla<; hether to hiteash) or to potash) or to pr#ne; !#t the

one point is the thrift< tree& 3 good tree that agrees ith the soil ill gro in spite of

!light) or !#g) or pr#ning) or neglect) !< night and !< da<) in all eathers and all

treatments& %i6acit<) leadership) m#st !e had) and e are not alloed to !e nice in

choosing& We m#st fetch the p#mp ith dirt< ater) if clean cannot !e had& 9f e ill

make !read) e m#st ha6e contagion) <east) empt<ings) or hat not) to ind#ce

fermentation into the do#gh; as the torpid artist seeks inspiration at an< cost) !< 6irt#e

or !< 6ice) !< friend or !< fiend) !< pra<er or !< ine& 3nd e ha6e a certain instinct

that here is great amo#nt of life) tho#gh gross and peccant) it has its on checks and

p#rifications) and ill !e fo#nd at last in harmon< ith moral las&



We atch in children ith pathetic interest

5age '*

the degree in hich the< possess rec#perati6e force& When the< are h#rt !< #s) or !<

each other) or go to the !ottom of the class) or miss the ann#al pri?es) or are !eaten in

the game)if the< lose heart and remem!er the mischance in their cham!er at home)the< ha6e a serio#s check& B#t if the< ha6e the !#o<anc< and resistance that

preocc#pies them ith ne interest in the ne moment)the o#nds cicatri?e and

the fi!re is the to#gher for the h#rt&

=ne comes to 6al#e this pl#s health hen he sees that all diffic#lties 6anish !efore it&

$*( 3 timid man) listening to the alarmists in Congress and in the nespapers) and

o!ser6ing the profligac< of part<)sectional interests #rged ith a f#r< hich sh#ts

its e<es to conse#ences) ith a mind made #p to desperate extremities) !allot in one

hand and rifle in the other)might easil< !elie6e that he and his co#ntr< ha6e seen

their !est da<s) and he hardens himself the !est he can against the coming r#in& B#t

after this has !een foretold ith e#al confidence fift< times) and go6ernment six percents ha6e not declined a #arter of a mill) he disco6ers that the enormo#s elements of

strength hich are here in pla< make o#r politics #nimportant& 5ersonal poer)

freedom) and the reso#rces of nat#re strain e6er<

5age '/

fac#lt< of e6er< citi?en& We prosper ith s#ch 6igor that like thrift< trees) hich gro

in spite of ice) lice) mice and !orers) so e do not s#ffer from the profligate sarms

that fatten on the national treas#r<& The h#ge animals no#rish h#ge parasites) and the

rancor of the disease attests the strength of the constit#tion& The same energ< in the

>reek Demos dre the remark that the e6ils of pop#lar go6ernment appear greater

than the< are; there is compensation for them in the spirit and energ< it aakens& The

ro#gh.and.read< st<le hich !elongs to a people of sailors) foresters) farmers and

mechanics) has its ad6antages& 5oer ed#cates the potentate& 3s long as o#r people

#ote English standards the< darf their on proportions& 3 Western la<er of

eminence $*( said to me he ished it ere a penal offence to !ring an English la.

!ook into a co#rt in this co#ntr<) so pernicio#s had he fo#nd in his experience o#r

deference to English precedent& The 6er< ord commerce has onl< an English

meaning) and is pinched to the cramp exigencies of English experience& The

commerce of ri6ers) the commerce of railroads) and ho knos !#t the commerce of

air.!alloons) m#st add an 3merican extension to the pond.hole of admiralt<& 3s long

as o#r people #ote English standards5age '-

the< ill miss the so6ereignt< of poer; !#t let these ro#gh riderslegislators in

shirt.slee6es) Hoosier) S#cker) Wol6erine) Badger) or hate6er hard head 3rkansas)

=regon or Utah sends) half orator) half assassin) $*( to represent its rath and c#pidit<

at Washington)let these dri6e as the< ma<) and the disposition of territories and

p#!lic lands) the necessit< of !alancing and keeping at !a< the snarling maAorities of

>erman) 9rish and of nati6e millions) ill !esto promptness) address and reason) at

last) on o#r !#ffalo.h#nter) and a#thorit< and maAest< of manners& The instinct of the

people is right& Men expect from good higs p#t into office !< the respecta!ilit< of

the co#ntr<) m#ch less skill to deal ith Mexico) Spain) Britain) or ith o#r on

malcontent mem!ers) than from some strong transgressor) like Jefferson or Jackson)ho first con#ers his on go6ernment and then #ses the same geni#s to con#er the



foreigner& The senators ho dissented from Mr& 5olks Mexican ar ere not those

ho kne !etter) !#t those ho from political position co#ld afford it; not We!ster)

!#t Benton and Calho#n&

This poer) to !e s#re) is not clothed in satin& T is the poer of L<nch la) of soldiers

and pirates; and it !#llies the peacea!le and lo<al&

5age '0

B#t it !rings its on antidote; and here is m< point)that all kinds of poer #s#all<

emerge at the same time; good energ< and !ad; poer of mind ith ph<sical health;

the ecstasies of de6otion ith the exasperations of de!a#cher<& The same elements are

ala<s present) onl< sometimes these conspic#o#s) and sometimes those; hat as

<esterda< foregro#nd) !eing to.da< !ackgro#nd;hat as s#rface) pla<ing no a

not less effecti6e part as !asis& The longer the dro#ght lasts the more is the

atmosphere s#rcharged ith ater& The faster the !all falls to the s#n) the force to fl<

off is !< so m#ch a#gmented& 3nd in morals) ild li!ert< !reeds iron conscience;

nat#res ith great imp#lses ha6e great reso#rces) and ret#rn from far& 9n politics) thesons of democrats ill !e higs; hilst red rep#!licanism in the father is a spasm of

nat#re to engender an intolera!le t<rant in the next age& $*( =n the other hand)

conser6atism) e6er more timoro#s and narro) disg#sts the children and dri6es them

for a mo#thf#l of fresh air into radicalism&

Those ho ha6e most of this coarse energ<the !r#isers) ho ha6e r#n the ga#ntlet

of ca#c#s and ta6ern thro#gh the co#nt< or the stateha6e their on 6ices) !#t the<

ha6e

5age 'F

the good nat#re of strength and co#rage& :ierce and #nscr#p#lo#s) the< are #s#all<

frank and direct and a!o6e falsehood& =#r politics fall into !ad hands) and ch#rchmen

and men of refinement) it seems agreed) are not fit persons to send to Congress&

5olitics is a deleterio#s profession) like some poisono#s handicrafts& Men in poer

ha6e no opinions) !#t ma< !e had cheap for an< opinion) for an< p#rpose; and if it !e

onl< a #estion !eteen the most ci6il and the most forci!le) 9 lean to the last& These

Hoosiers and S#ckers are reall< !etter than the sni6elling opposition& Their rath is at

least of a !old and manl< cast& The< see) against the #nanimo#s declarations of the

people) ho m#ch crime the people ill !ear; the< proceed from step to step) and the<

ha6e calc#lated !#t too A#stl< #pon their Excellencies the 7e England go6ernors)

and #pon their Honors the 7e England legislators& The messages of the go6ernorsand the resol#tions of the legislat#res are a pro6er! for expressing a sham 6irt#o#s

indignation) hich) in the co#rse of e6ents) is s#re to !e !elied& $*(

9n trade also this energ< #s#all< carries a trace of ferocit<& 5hilanthropic and religio#s

!odies do not commonl< make their exec#ti6e

5age ''

officers o#t of saints& The comm#nities hitherto fo#nded !< socialists)the Jes#its)

the 5ort.Ro<alists) the 3merican comm#nities at 7e Harmon<) at Brook :arm) at

Ooar) are onl< possi!le !< installing J#das as steard& The rest of the offices ma< !e

filled !< good !#rgesses& The pio#s and charita!le proprietor has a foreman not #iteso pio#s and charita!le& The most amia!le of co#ntr< gentlemen has a certain pleas#re



in the teeth of the !#ll.dog hich g#ards his orchard& =f the Shaker societ< it as

formerl< a sort of pro6er! in the co#ntr< that the< ala<s sent the de6il to market& $*(

3nd in representations of the Deit<) painting) poetr<) and pop#lar religion ha6e e6er

dran the rath from Hell& 9t is an esoteric doctrine of societ< that a little ickedness

is good to make m#scle; as if conscience ere not good for hands and legs; as if poor

deca<ed formalists of la and order cannot r#n like ild goats) ol6es) and conies;that as there is a #se in medicine for poisons) so the orld cannot mo6e itho#t

rog#es; that p#!lic spirit and the read< hand are as ell fo#nd among the malignants&

T is not 6er< rare) the coincidence of sharp pri6ate and political practice ith p#!lic

spirit and good neigh!orhood& 9 kne a !#rl< Boniface ho

5age 'K

for man< <ears kept a p#!lic.ho#se in one of o#r r#ral capitals& He as a kna6e hom

the ton co#ld ill spare& He as a social) 6asc#lar creat#re) grasping and selfish&

There as no crime hich he did not or co#ld not commit& B#t he made good friends

of the selectmen) ser6ed them ith his !est chop hen the< s#pped at his ho#se) and

also ith his honor the J#dge he as 6er< cordial) grasping his hand& He introd#ced

all the fiends) male and female) into the ton) and #nited in his person the f#nctionsof !#ll<) incendiar<) sindler) !arkeeper) and !#rglar& He girdled the trees and c#t off

the horses tails of the temperance people) in the night& He led the r#mmies and

radicals in ton.meeting ith a speech& Meantime he as ci6il) fat) and eas<) in his

ho#se) and precisel< the most p#!lic.spirited citi?en& He as acti6e in getting the

roads repaired and planted ith shade.trees; he s#!scri!ed for the fo#ntains) the gas)

and the telegraph; he introd#ced the ne horse.rake) the ne scraper) the !a!<.

A#mper) and hat not) that Connectic#t sends to the admiring citi?ens& He did this the

easier that the peddler stopped at his ho#se) and paid his keeping !< setting #p his

ne trap on the landlords premises& $*(

5age '+

Whilst th#s the energ< for originating and exec#ting ork deforms itself !< excess)

and so o#r axe chops off o#r on fingers)this e6il is not itho#t remed<& 3ll the

elements hose aid man calls in ill sometimes !ecome his masters) especiall< those

of most s#!tle force& Shall he then reno#nce steam) fire and electricit<) or shall he

learn to deal ith them The r#le for this hole class of agencies is)all pl#s is good;

onl< p#t it in the right place&

Men of this s#rcharge of arterial !lood cannot li6e on n#ts) her!.tea) and elegies;

cannot read no6els and pla< hist; cannot satisf< all their ants at the Th#rsda<Lect#re or the Boston 3thenae#m& The< pine for ad6ent#re) and m#st go to 5ikes

5eak; had rather die !< the hatchet of a 5anee than sit all da< and e6er< da< at a

co#nting.room desk& The< are made for ar) for the sea) for mining) h#nting and

clearing; for hair.!readth ad6ent#res) h#ge risks and the Ao< of e6entf#l li6ing& Some

men cannot end#re an ho#r of calm at sea& 9 remem!er a poor Mala< cook on !oard a

Li6erpool packet) ho) hen the ind !le a gale) co#ld not contain his Ao<; GBloG

he cried) Gme do tell <o#) !loG Their friends and go6ernors m#st see that some 6ent

for their explosi6e complexion

5age '1

is pro6ided& The roisters ho are destined for infam< at home) if sent to Mexico illGco6er <o# ith glor<)G and come !ack heroes and generals& $*( There are =regons)



Californias and Exploring Expeditions eno#gh appertaining to 3merica to find them

in files to gna $/( and in crocodiles to eat& The <o#ng English are fine animals) f#ll

of !lood) and hen the< ha6e no ars to !reathe their rioto#s 6alors in) the< seek for

tra6els as dangero#s as ar) di6ing into Maelstroms; simming Hellesponts; ading

#p the sno< Himmaleh; h#nting lion) rhinoceros) elephant) in So#th 3frica; g<ps<ing

ith Borro in Spain and 3lgiers; riding alligators in So#th 3merica ith Waterton;#tili?ing Bedo#in) Sheik and 5acha) ith La<ard; <achting among the ice!ergs of

Lancaster So#nd; peeping into craters on the e#ator; or r#nning on the creases of

Mala<s in Borneo&

The excess of 6irilit< has the same importance in general histor< as in pri6ate and

ind#strial life& Strong race or strong indi6id#al rests at last on nat#ral forces) hich

are !est in the sa6age) ho) like the !easts aro#nd him) is still in reception of the milk

from the teats of 7at#re& $-( C#t off the connection !eteen an< of o#r orks and this

a!original so#rce) and the

5age K,ork is shallo& The people lean on this) and the mo! is not #ite so !ad an arg#ment

as e sometimes sa<) for it has this good side& GMarch itho#t the people)G said a

:rench dep#t< from the tri!#ne) Gand <o# march into night" their instincts are a finger.

pointing of 5ro6idence) ala<s t#rned toard real !enefit& B#t hen <o# espo#se an

=rleans part<) or a Bo#r!on or a Montalem!ert part<) or an< other !#t an organic

part<) tho#gh <o# mean ell) <o# ha6e a personalit< instead of a principle) hich ill

ine6ita!l< drag <o# into a corner&G

The !est anecdotes of this force are to !e had from sa6age life) in explorers) soldiers

and !#ccaneers& B#t ho cares for fallings.o#t of assassins and fights of !ears or

grindings of ice!ergs 5h<sical force has no 6al#e here there is nothing else& Sno

in sno.!anks) fire in 6olanoes and solfataras is cheap& The l#x#r< of ice is in tropical

co#ntries and mids#mmer da<s& The l#x#r< of fire is to ha6e a little on o#r hearth; and

of electricit<) not 6olle<s of the charged clo#d) !#t the managea!le stream on the

!atter<.ires& So of spirit) or energ<; the rests or remains of it in the ci6il and moral

man are orth all the canni!als in the 5acific&

9n histor< the great moment is hen the

5age K*

sa6age is A#st ceasing to !e a sa6age) ith all his hair< 5elasgic strength directed onhis opening sense of !ea#t<"and <o# ha6e 5ericles and 5hidias) not <et passed o6er

into the Corinthian ci6ilit<& E6er<thing good in nat#re and the orld is in that moment

of transition) hen the sarth< A#ices still flo plentif#ll< from nat#re) !#t their

astringenc< or acridit< is got o#t !< ethics and h#manit<& $*(

The tri#mphs of peace ha6e !een in some proximit< to ar& Whilst the hand as still

familiar ith the sord.hilt) hilst the ha!its of the camp ere still 6isi!le in the port

and complexion of the gentleman) his intellect#al poer c#lminated" the compression

and tension of these stern conditions is a training for the finest and softest arts) and

can rarel< !e compensated in tran#il times) except !< some analogo#s 6igor dran

from occ#pations as hard< as ar& $/(



We sa< that s#ccess is constit#tional; depends on a pl#s condition of mind and !od<)

on poer of ork) on co#rage; that it is of main efficac< in carr<ing on the orld) and

tho#gh rarel< fo#nd in the right state for an article of commerce) !#t oftener in the

s#per.sat#rate or excess hich makes it dangero#s and destr#cti6e)<et it cannot !e

spared) and m#st !e had in

5age K/

that form) and a!sor!ents pro6ided to take off its edge&

The affirmati6e class monopoli?e the homage of mankind& The< originate and exec#te

all the great feats& What a force as coiled #p in the sk#ll of 7apoleon =f the sixt<

tho#sand men making his arm< at E<la#) it seems some thirt< tho#sand ere thie6es

and !#rglars& The men hom in peacef#l comm#nities e hold if e can ith iron at

their legs) in prisons) #nder the m#skets of sentinels)this man dealt ith hand to

hand) dragged them to their d#t<) and on his 6ictories !< their !a<onets&

This a!original might gi6es a s#rprising pleas#re hen it appears #nder conditions ofs#preme refinement) as in the proficients in high art& When Michel 3ngelo as forced

to paint the Sistine Chapel in fresco) of hich art he kne nothing) he ent don into

the 5opes gardens !ehind the %atican) and ith a sho6el d#g o#t ochres) red and

<ello) mixed them ith gl#e and ater ith his on hands) and ha6ing after man<

trials at last s#ited himself) clim!ed his ladders) and painted aa<) eek after eek)

month after month) the si!<ls and prophets& He s#rpassed his s#ccessors in ro#gh

6igor) as m#ch as in p#rit< of intellect and refinement&

5age K-

He as not cr#shed !< his one pict#re left #nfinished at last& Michel as ont to dra

his fig#res first in skeleton) then to clothe them ith flesh) and lastl< to drape them&

G3hG said a !ra6e painter to me) thinking on these things) Gif a man has failed) <o#

ill find he has dreamed instead of orking& There is no a< to s#ccess in o#r art !#t

to take off <o#r coat) grind paint) and ork like a digger on the railroad) all da< and

e6er< da<&G

S#ccess goes th#s in6aria!l< ith a certain pl#s or positi6e poer" an o#nce of poer

m#st !alance an o#nce of eight& 3nd tho#gh a man cannot ret#rn into his mothers

om! and !e !orn ith ne amo#nts of 6i6acit<) <et there are to economies hich

are the !est s#ccedanea hich the case admits& The first is the stopping off decisi6el<

o#r miscellaneo#s acti6it< and concentrating o#r force on one or a fe points; as thegardener) !< se6ere pr#ning) forces the sap of the tree into one or to 6igoro#s lim!s)

instead of s#ffering it to spindle into a sheaf of tigs&

GEnlarge not th< destin<)G said the oracle) Gendea6or not to do more than is gi6en thee

in charge&G $*( The one pr#dence in life is concentration; the one e6il is dissipation;

and it

5age K0

makes no difference hether o#r dissipations are coarse or fine; propert< and its

cares) friends and a social ha!it) or politics) or m#sic) or feasting& E6er<thing is good

hich takes aa< one pla<thing and del#sion more and dri6es #s home to add onestroke of faithf#l ork& :riends) !ooks) pict#res) loer d#ties) talents) flatteries)



hopes)all are distractions hich ca#se oscillations in o#r gidd< !alloon) and make a

good poise and a straight co#rse impossi!le& @o# m#st elect <o#r ork; <o# shall take

hat <o#r !rain can) and drop all the rest& =nl< so can that amo#nt of 6ital force

acc#m#late hich can make the step from knoing to doing& $*( 7o matter ho m#ch

fac#lt< of idle seeing a man has) the step from knoing to doing is rarel< taken& T is a

step o#t of a chalk circle of im!ecilit< into fr#itf#lness& Man< an artist) lacking this)lacks all; he sees the masc#line 3ngelo or Cellini ith despair& He too is #p to nat#re

and the :irst Ca#se in his tho#ght& B#t the spasm to collect and sing his hole !eing

into one act) he has not& The poet Camp!ell said that Ga man acc#stomed to ork) as

e#al to an< achie6ement he resol6ed on) and that for himself) necessit<) not

inspiration) as the prompter of his m#se&G $/(

5age KF

Concentration is the secret of strength in politics) in ar) in trade) in short in all

management of h#man affairs& =ne of the high anecdotes of the orld is the repl< of

7eton to the in#ir< Gho he had !een a!le to achie6e his disco6eriesGGB<ala<s intending m< mind&G =r if <o# ill ha6e a text from politics) take this from

5l#tarch" GThere as) in the hole cit<) !#t one street in hich 5ericles as e6er seen)

the street hich led to the market.place and the co#ncil ho#se& He declined all

in6itations to !an#ets) and all ga< assem!lies and compan<& D#ring the hole period

of his administration he ne6er dined at the ta!le of a friend&G =r if e seek an example

from trade)G9 hope)G said a good man to Rothschild) G<o#r children are not too fond

of mone< and !#siness; 9 am s#re <o# o#ld not ish that&GG9 am s#re 9 sho#ld

ish that; 9 ish them to gi6e mind) so#l) heart and !od< to !#siness)that is the a<

to !e happ<& 9t re#ires a great deal of !oldness and a great deal of ca#tion to make a

great fort#ne) and hen <o# ha6e got it) it re#ires ten times as m#ch it to keep it& 9f

9 ere to listen to all the proAects proposed to me) 9 sho#ld r#in m<self 6er< soon&

Stick to one !#siness) <o#ng man& Stick

5age K'

to <o#r !reer< he said this to <o#ng B#xton) and <o# ill !e the great !reer of

London& Be !reer) and !anker) and merchant) and man#fact#rer) and <o# ill soon

!e in the >a?ette&G

Man< men are knoing) man< are apprehensi6e and tenacio#s) !#t the< do not r#sh to

a decision& B#t in o#r floing affairs a decision m#st !e made)the !est) if <o# can)

!#t an< is !etter than none& There are tent< a<s of going to a point) and one is the

shortest; !#t set o#t at once on one& 3 man ho has that presence of mind hich can !ring to him on the instant all he knos) is orth for action a do?en men ho kno as

m#ch !#t can onl< !ring it to light slol<& The good Speaker in the Ho#se is not the

man ho knos the theor< of parliamentar< tactics) !#t the man ho decides off.

hand& The good A#dge is not he ho does hair.splitting A#stice to e6er< allegation) !#t

ho) aiming at s#!stantial A#stice) r#les something intelligi!le for the g#idance of

s#itors& The good la<er is not the man ho has an e<e to e6er< side and angle of

contingenc<) and #alifies all his #alifications) !#t ho thros himself on <o#r part

so heartil< that he can get <o# o#t of a scrape& Dr& Johnson said) in one

5age KK

of his floing sentences) GMisera!le !e<ond all names of retchedness is that#nhapp< pair) ho are doomed to red#ce !eforehand to the principles of a!stract



reason all the details of each domestic da<& There are cases here little can !e said)

and m#ch m#st !e done&G

The second s#!stit#te for temperament is drill) the poer of #se and ro#tine& The hack

is a !etter roadster than the 3ra! !ar!& 9n chemistr<) the gal6anic stream) slo !#t

contin#o#s) is e#al in poer to the electric spark) and is) in o#r arts) a !etter agent&So in h#man action) against the spasm of energ< e offset the contin#it< of drill& We

spread the same amo#nt of force o6er m#ch time) instead of condensing it into a

moment& T is the same o#nce of gold here in a !all) and there in a leaf& 3t West 5oint)

Colonel B#ford) the chief engineer) po#nded ith a hammer on the tr#nnions of a

cannon #ntil he !roke them off& He fired a piece of ordnance some h#ndred times in

sift s#ccession) #ntil it !#rst& 7o hich stroke !roke the tr#nnion E6er< stroke&

Which !last !#rst the piece E6er< !last& GDiligence passe sens)G Henr< %999&G as

ont to sa<) or great is drill& John Iem!le said that the orst pro6incial compan< of

actors o#ld go thro#gh

5age K+a pla< !etter than the !est amate#r compan<& Basil Hall likes to sho that the orst

reg#lar troops ill !eat the !est 6ol#nteers& $*( 5ractice is nine tenths& 3 co#rse of

mo!s is good practice for orators& 3ll the great speakers ere !ad speakers at first&

St#mping it thro#gh England for se6en <ears made Co!den a cons#mmate de!ater&

St#mping it thro#gh 7e England for tice se6en trained Wendell 5hillips& The a<

to learn >erman is to read the same do?en pages o6er and o6er a h#ndred times) till

<o# kno e6er< ord and particle in them and can prono#nce and repeat them !<

heart& 7o geni#s can recite a !allad at first reading so ell as mediocrit< can at the

fifteenth or tentieth reading& $/( The r#le for hospitalit< and 9rish help is to ha6e the

same dinner e6er< da< thro#gho#t the <ear& 3t last) Mrs& =Sha#ghness< learns to

cook it to a nicet<) the host learns to car6e it) and the g#ests are ell ser6ed& 3

h#moro#s friend of mine thinks that the reason h< 7at#re is so perfect in her art) and

gets #p s#ch inconcei6a!l< fine s#nsets) is that she has learned ho) at last) !< dint of

doing the same thing so 6er< often& $-( Cannot one con6erse !etter on a topic on

hich he has experience) than on one hich is ne Men hose opinion

5age K1

is 6al#ed on Change are onl< s#ch as ha6e a special experience) and off that gro#nd

their opinion is not 6al#a!le& GMore are made good !< exercitation than !< nat#re)G

said Democrit#s& $*( The friction in nat#re is so enormo#s that e cannot spare an<

poer& 9t is not #estion to express o#r tho#ght) to elect o#r a<) !#t to o6ercome

resistances of the medi#m and material in e6er<thing e do& Hence the #se of drill)and the orthlessness of amate#rs to cope ith practitioners& Six ho#rs e6er< da< at

the piano) onl< to gi6e facilit< of to#ch; six ho#rs a da< at painting) onl< to gi6e

command of the odio#s materials) oil) ochres and !r#shes& The masters sa< that the<

kno a master in m#sic) onl< !< seeing the pose of the hands on the ke<s;so

diffic#lt and 6ital an act is the command of the instr#ment& To ha6e learned the #se of

the tools) !< tho#sands of manip#lations; to ha6e learned the arts of reckoning) !<

endless adding and di6iding) is the poer of the mechanic and the clerk&

9 remarked in England) in confirmation of a fre#ent experience at home) that in

literar< circles) the men of tr#st and consideration) !ook.makers) editors) #ni6ersit<

deans and professors) !ishops too) ere !< no means men of the



5age +,

largest literar< talent) !#t #s#all< of a lo and ordinar< intellect#alit<) ith a sort of

mercantile acti6it< and orking talent& 9ndifferent hacks and mediocrities toer) !<

p#shing their forces to a l#crati6e point or !< orking poer) o6er m#ltit#des of

s#perior men) in =ld as in 7e England&

9 ha6e not forgotten that there are s#!lime considerations hich limit the 6al#e of

talent and s#perficial s#ccess& We can easil< o6erpraise the 6#lgar hero& There are

so#rces on hich e ha6e not dran& 9 kno hat 9 a!stain from& 9 adAo#rn hat 9

ha6e to sa< on this topic to the chapters on C#lt#re and Worship& B#t this force or

spirit) !eing the means relied on !< 7at#re for !ringing the ork of the da< a!o#t)

as far as e attach importance to ho#sehold life and the pri?es of the orld) e m#st

respect that& 3nd 9 hold that an econom< ma< !e applied to it; it is as m#ch a s#!Aect

of exact la and arithmetic as fl#ids and gases are; it ma< !e h#s!anded or asted;

e6er< man is efficient onl< as he is a container or 6essel of this force) and ne6er as

an< signal act or achie6ement in histor< !#t !< this expendit#re& This is not gold) !#t

the gold.maker; not the fame) !#t the exploit&

5age +*

9f these forces and this h#s!andr< are ithin reach of o#r ill) and the las of them

can !e read) e infer that all s#ccess and all concei6a!le !enefit for man) is also) first

or last) ithin his reach) and has its on s#!lime economies !< hich it ma< !e

attained& The orld is mathematical) and has no cas#alt< in all its 6ast and floing

c#r6e& S#ccess has no more eccentricit< than the gingham and m#slin e ea6e in

o#r mills& 9 kno no more affecting lesson to o#r !#s<) plotting 7e England !rains)

than to go into one of the factories ith hich e ha6e lined all the aterco#rses in

the States& 3 man hardl< knos ho m#ch he is a machine #ntil he !egins to make

telegraph) loom) press and locomoti6e) in his on image& B#t in these he is forced to

lea6e o#t his follies and hindrances) so that hen e go to the mill) the machine is

more moral than e& Let a man dare go to a loom and see if he !e e#al to it& Let

machine confront machine) and see ho the< come o#t& $*( The orld.mill is more

complex than the calico.mill) and the architect stooped less& 9n the gingham.mill) a

!roken thread or a shred spoils the e! thro#gh a piece of a h#ndred <ards) and is

traced !ack to the girl that o6e it) and lessens her ages&

5age +/

The stockholder) on !eing shon this) r#!s his hands ith delight& 3re <o# so

c#nning) Mr& 5rofitloss) and do <o# expect to sindle <o#r master and emplo<er) inthe e! <o# ea6e 3 da< is a more magnificent cloth than an< m#slin) the

mechanism that makes it is infinitel< c#nninger) and <o# shall not conceal the slee?<)

fra#d#lent) rotten ho#rs <o# ha6e slipped into the piece; nor fear that an< honest

thread) or straighter steel) or more inflexi!le shaft) ill not testif< in the e!& $*(


5oered !< DLS

To comment or in#ire a!o#t content) contact UMDL HelpTo report errors) contact UMDL Help








5age $#nn#m!ered(

999& WE3LTH

WH= shall tell hat did !efall)

:ar aa< in time) hen once)=6er the lifeless !all)

H#ng idle stars and s#ns

What god the element o!e<ed

Wings of hat ind the lichen !ore)

Wafting the p#n< seeds of poer)

Which) lodged in rock) the rock a!rade

3nd ell the primal pioneer

Ine the strong task to it assigned)

5atient thro#gh Hea6ens enormo#s <ear

To !#ild in matter home for mind&

:rom air the creeping cent#ries dre

The matted thicket lo and ide)

This m#st the lea6es of ages stre

The granite sla! to clothe and hide)

Ere heat can a6e its golden pride&

What smiths) and in hat f#rnace) rolled

9n di??< aeons dim and m#te

The reeling !rain can ill comp#te

Copper and iron) lead) and gold

What oldest star the fame can sa6e

=f races perishing to pa6eThe planet ith a floor of lime

D#st is their p<ramid and mole"

Who sa hat ferns and palms ere pressed

5age +0

Under the t#m!ling mo#ntains !reast)

9n the safe her!al of the coal

B#t hen the #arried means ere piled)

3ll is aste and orthless) till

3rri6es the ise selecting ill)

3nd) o#t of slime and chaos) Wit

Dras the threads of fair and fit&Then temples rose) and tons) and marts)



The shop of toil) the hall of arts;

Then fle the sail across the seas

To feed the 7orth from tropic trees;

The storm.ind o6e) the torrent span)

Where the< ere !id the ri6ers ran;

7e sla6es f#lfilled the poets dream)>al6anic ire) strong.sho#ldered steam&

Then docks ere !#ilt) and crops ere stored)

3nd ingots added to the hoard&

B#t) tho#gh light.headed man forget)

Remem!ering Matter pa<s her de!t"

Still) thro#gh her motes and masses) dra

Electric thrills and ties of La)

Which !ind the strengths of 7at#re ild

To the conscience of a child&

5age $#nn#m!ered(

WE3LTH3S soon as a stranger is introd#ced into an< compan<) one of the first #estions hich

all ish to ha6e ansered) is) Ho does that man get his li6ing 3nd ith reason& He

is no hole man #ntil he knos ho to earn a !lameless li6elihood& Societ< is

!ar!aro#s #ntil e6er< ind#strio#s man can get his li6ing itho#t dishonest c#stoms&

E6er< man is a cons#mer) and o#ght to !e a prod#cer& He fails to make his place good

in the orld #nless he not onl< pa<s his de!t !#t also adds something to the common

ealth& 7or can he do A#stice to his geni#s itho#t making some larger demand on the

orld than a !are s#!sistence& He is !< constit#tion expensi6e) and needs to !e rich&

Wealth has its so#rce in applications of the mind to nat#re) from the r#dest strokes of

spade and axe #p to the last secrets of art& 9ntimate ties s#!sist !eteen tho#ght and

all prod#ction; !eca#se a !etter order is e#i6alent to 6ast amo#nts of !r#te la!or& The

forces and the resistances are nat#res) !#t the mind acts in !ringing things from here

the< a!o#nd to here

5age +'

the< are anted; in ise com!ining; in directing the practice of the #sef#l arts) and in

the creation of finer 6al#es !< fine art) !< elo#ence) !< song) or the reprod#ctions of

memor<& Wealth is in applications of mind to nat#re; and the art of getting rich

consists not in ind#str<) m#ch less in sa6ing) !#t in a !etter order) in timeliness) in !eing at the right spot& =ne man has stronger arms or longer legs; another sees !< the

co#rse of streams and groth of markets here land ill !e anted) makes a clearing

to the ri6er) goes to sleep and akes #p rich& Steam is no stronger no than it as a

h#ndred <ears ago; !#t is p#t to !etter #se& 3 cle6er fello as ac#ainted ith the

expansi6e force of steam; he also sa the ealth of heat and grass rotting in

Michigan& $*( Then he c#nningl< scres on the steam.pipe to the heat.crop& 5#ff

no) = Steam The steam p#ffs and expands as !efore) !#t this time it is dragging all

Michigan at its !ack to h#ngr< 7e @ork and h#ngr< England& Coal la< in ledges

#nder the gro#nd since the :lood) #ntil a la!orer ith pick and indlass !rings it to

the s#rface& We ma< ell call it !lack diamonds& E6er< !asket is poer and

ci6ili?ation& :or coal is a porta!le climate& 9t carries the heat of the tropics to5age +K



La!rador and the polar circle; and it is the means of transporting itself hithersoe6er

it is anted& Watt and Stephenson hispered in the ear of mankind their secret) that a

half.o#nce of coal ill dra to tons a mile) and coal carries coal) !< rail and !<

!oat) to make Canada as arm as Calc#tta; and ith its comfort !rings its ind#strial

poer&

When the farmers peaches are taken from #nder the tree and carried into ton) the<

ha6e a ne look and a h#ndredfold 6al#e o6er the fr#it hich gre on the same

!o#gh and lies f#lsomel< on the gro#nd& The craft of the merchant is this !ringing a

thing from here it a!o#nds to here it is costl<&

Wealth !egins in a tight roof that keeps the rain and ind o#t; in a good p#mp that

<ields <o# plent< of seet ater; in to s#its of clothes) so to change <o#r dress hen

<o# are et; in dr< sticks to !#rn) in a good do#!le.ick lamp) and three meals; in a

horse or a locomoti6e to cross the land) in a !oat to cross the sea; in tools to ork

ith) in !ooks to read; and so in gi6ing on all sides !< tools and a#xiliaries the

greatest possi!le extension to o#r poers; as if it added feet and hands and e<es and !lood) length to the da<) and knoledge and good ill& $*(

5age ++

Wealth !egins ith these articles of necessit<& 3nd here e m#st recite the iron la

hich nat#re th#nders in these northern climates& :irst she re#ires that each man

sho#ld feed himself& 9f happil< his fathers ha6e left him no inheritance) he m#st go to

ork) and !< making his ants less or his gains more) he m#st dra himself o#t of

that state of pain and ins#lt in hich she forces the !eggar to lie& $*( She gi6es him no

rest #ntil this is done; she star6es) ta#nts and torments him) takes aa< armth)

la#ghter) sleep) friends and da<light) #ntil he has fo#ght his a< to his on loaf& Then)

less peremptoril< !#t still ith sting eno#gh) she #rges him to the ac#isition of s#ch

things as !elong to him& E6er< areho#se and shop.indo) e6er< fr#it.tree) e6er<

tho#ght of e6er< ho#r opens a ne ant to him hich it concerns his poer and

dignit< to gratif<& 9t is of no #se to arg#e the ants don" the philosophers ha6e laid

the greatness of man in making his ants fe) !#t ill a man content himself ith a

h#t and a handf#l of dried pease He is !orn to !e rich& He is thoro#ghl< related; and

is tempted o#t !< his appetites and fancies to the con#est of this and that piece of

nat#re) #ntil he finds his ell.!eing in the #se of his planet) and of more

5age +1

planets than his on& $*( Wealth re#ires) !esides the cr#st of !read and the roof)thefreedom of the cit<) the freedom of the earth) tra6elling) machiner<) the !enefits of

science) m#sic and fine arts) the !est c#lt#re and the !est compan<& He is the rich man

ho can a6ail himself of all mens fac#lties& He is the richest man ho knos ho to

dra a !enefit from the la!ors of the greatest n#m!er of men) of men in distant

co#ntries and in past times& The same correspondence that is !eteen thirst in the

stomach and ater in the spring) exists !eteen the hole of man and the hole of

nat#re& The elements offer their ser6ice to him& The sea) ashing the e#ator and the

poles) offers its perilo#s aid and the poer and empire that follo it)da< !< da< to

his craft and a#dacit<& GBeare of me)G it sa<s) G!#t if <o# can hold me) 9 am the ke<

to all the lands&G :ire offers) on its side) an e#al poer& :ire) steam) lightning)

gra6it<) ledges of rock) mines of iron) lead) #icksil6er) tin and gold; forests of alloods; fr#its of all climates; animals of all ha!its; the poers of tillage; the fa!rics of



his chemic la!orator<; the e!s of his loom; the masc#line dra#ght of his locomoti6e)

the talismans of the machine.shop; all grand and s#!tile things) minerals) gases)

ethers) passions)

5age 1,

ar) trade) go6ernment)are his nat#ral pla<mates) and according to the excellence

of the machiner< in each h#man !eing is his attraction for the instr#ments he is toemplo<& The orld is his tool.chest) and he is s#ccessf#l) or his ed#cation is carried on

A#st so far) as is the marriage of his fac#lties ith nat#re) or the degree in hich he

takes #p things into himself&

The strong race is strong on these terms& The Saxons are the merchants of the orld;

no) for a tho#sand <ears) the leading race) and !< nothing more than their #alit< of

personal independence) and in its special modification) pec#niar< independence& 7o

reliance for !read and games on the go6ernment; no clanship) no patriarchal st<le of

li6ing !< the re6en#es of a chief) no marr<ing.on) no s<stem of clientship s#its them;

!#t e6er< man m#st pa< his scot& The English are prospero#s and peacea!le) ith their

ha!it of considering that e6er< man m#st take care of himself and has himself to thank if he do not maintain and impro6e his position in societ<&

The s#!Aect of econom< mixes itself ith morals) inasm#ch as it is a peremptor< point

of 6irt#e that a mans independence !e sec#red& 5o6ert< demorali?es& 3 man in de!t is

so far

5age 1*

a sla6e) and Wall Street thinks it eas< for a millionaire to !e a man of his ord) a man

of honor) !#t that in failing circ#mstances no man can !e relied on to keep his

integrit<& 3nd hen one o!ser6es in the hotels and palaces of o#r 3tlantic capitals the

ha!it of expense) the riot of the senses) the a!sence of !onds) clanship) fello.feeling

of an< kind)he feels that hen a man or a oman is dri6en to the all) the chances

of integrit< are frightf#ll< diminished; as if 6irt#e ere coming to !e a l#x#r< hich

fe co#ld afford) or) as B#rke said) Gat a market almost too high for h#manit<&G He

ma< fix his in6entor< of necessities and of enAo<ments on hat scale he pleases) !#t if

he ishes the poer and pri6ilege of tho#ght) the chalking o#t his on career and

ha6ing societ< on his on terms) he m#st !ring his ants ithin his proper poer to

satisf<&

The manl< part is to do ith might and main hat <o# can do& The orld is f#ll of

fops ho ne6er did an<thing and ho had pers#aded !ea#ties and men of geni#s toear their fop li6er<; and these ill deli6er the fop opinion) that it is not respecta!le

to !e seen earning a li6ing; that it is m#ch more respecta!le to spend itho#t earning;

and this doctrine of the snake ill come

5age 1/

also from the elect sons of light; for ise men are not ise at all ho#rs) and ill speak

fi6e times from their taste or their h#mor) to once from their reason& The !ra6e

orkman) ho might !etra< his feeling of it in his manners) if he do not s#cc#m! in

his practice) m#st replace the grace or elegance forfeited) !< the merit of the ork

done& 7o matter hether he makes shoes) or stat#es) or las& 9t is the pri6ilege of an<

h#man ork hich is ell done to in6est the doer ith a certain ha#ghtiness& He canell afford not to conciliate) hose faithf#l ork ill anser for him& The mechanic



at his !ench carries a #iet heart and ass#red manners) and deals on e6en terms ith

men of an< condition& The artist has made his pict#re so tr#e that it disconcerts

criticism& The stat#e is so !ea#tif#l that it contracts no stain from the market) !#t

makes the market a silent galler< for itself& The case of the <o#ng la<er as pitif#l

to disg#st)a paltr< matter of !#ttons or tee?er.cases; !#t the determined <o#th sa

in it an apert#re to insert his dangero#s edges) made the insignificance of the thingforgotten) and ga6e fame !< his sense and energ< to the name and affairs of the

Tittleton sn#ff.!ox factor<&

Societ< in large tons is !a!<ish) and ealth

5age 1-

is made a to<& The life of pleas#re is so ostentatio#s that a shallo o!ser6er m#st

!elie6e that this is the agreed !est #se of ealth) and) hate6er is pretended) it ends in

cosseting& B#t if this ere the main #se of s#rpl#s capital) it o#ld !ring #s to

!arricades) !#rned tons and tomahaks) presentl<& Men of sense esteem ealth to

!e the assimilation of nat#re to themsel6es) the con6erting of the sap and A#ices of the planet to the incarnation and n#triment of their design& 5oer is hat the< ant) not

cand<;poer to exec#te their design) poer to gi6e legs and feet) from and act#alit<

to their tho#ght; hich) to a clear.sighted man) appears the end for hich the #ni6erse

exists) and all its reso#rces might !e ell applied& Col#m!#s thinks that the sphere is

a pro!lem for practical na6igation as ell as for closet geometr<) and looks on all

kings and peoples as coardl< landsmen #ntil the< dare fit him o#t& :e men on the

planet ha6e more tr#l< !elonged to it& B#t he as forced to lea6e m#ch of his map

!lank& His s#ccessors inherited his map) and inherited his f#r< to complete it&

So the men of the mine) telegraph) mill) map and s#r6e<)the monomaniacs ho talk

#p their proAect in marts and offices and entreat men

5age 10

to s#!scri!e"ho did o#r factories get !#ilt ho did 7orth 3merica get netted ith

iron rails) except !< the import#nit< of these orators ho dragged all the pr#dent men

in 9s part< the madness of man< for the gain of a fe This spec#lati6e geni#s is the

madness of a fe for the gain of the orld& The proAectors are sacrificed) !#t the

p#!lic is the gainer& $*( Each of these idealists) orking after his tho#ght) o#ld make

it t<rannical) if he co#ld& He is met and antagoni?ed !< other spec#lators as hot as he&

The e#ili!ri#m is preser6ed !< these co#nteractions) as one tree keeps don another

in the forest) that it ma< not a!sor! all the sap in the gro#nd& 3nd the s#ppl< in nat#reof railroad.presidents) copper.miners) grand.A#nctioners) smoke.!#rners) fire.

annihilators) etc&) is limited !< the same la hich keeps the proportion in the s#ppl<

of car!on) of al#m) and of h<drogen&

To !e rich is to ha6e a ticket of admission to the master.orks and chief men of each

race& 9t is to ha6e the sea) !< 6o<aging; to 6isit the mo#ntains) 7iagara) the 7ile) the

desert) Rome) 5aris) Constantinople; to see galleries) li!raries) arsenals)

man#factories& The reader of H#m!oldts Cosmos follos the marches of a man

hose e<es) ears and mind are armed !< all the

5age 1F



science) arts and implements hich mankind ha6e an<here acc#m#lated) and ho is

#sing these to add to the stock& So it is ith Denon) Beckford) Bel?oni) Wilkinson)

La<ard) Iane) Lepsi#s and Li6ingstone& $*( GThe rich man)G sa<s Saadi) Gis

e6er<here expected and at home&G The rich take #p something more of the orld

into mans life& The< incl#de the co#ntr< as ell as the ton) the ocean.side) the

White Hills) the :ar West and the old E#ropean homesteads of man) in their notion ofa6aila!le material& The orld is his ho has mone< to go o6er it& He arri6es at the

seashore and a s#mpt#o#s ship has floored and carpeted for him the storm< 3tlantic)

and made it a l#x#rio#s hotel) amid the horrors of tempests& The 5ersians sa<) GT is

the same to him ho ears a shoe) as if the hole earth ere co6ered ith leather&G

Iings are said to ha6e long arms) !#t e6er< man sho#ld ha6e long arms) and sho#ld

pl#ck his li6ing) his instr#ments) his poer and his knoing) from the s#n) moon and

stars& 9s not then the demand to !e rich legitimate @et 9 ha6e ne6er seen a rich man& 9

ha6e ne6er seen a man as rich as all men o#ght to !e) or ith an ade#ate command

of nat#re& $/( The p#lpit and the press ha6e man< commonplaces deno#ncing

5age 1'

the thirst for ealth; !#t if men sho#ld take these moralists at their ord and lea6e off

aiming to !e rich) the moralists o#ld r#sh to rekindle at all ha?ards this lo6e of

poer in the people) lest ci6ili?ation sho#ld !e #ndone& Men are #rged !< their ideas

to ac#ire the command o6er nat#re& 3ges deri6e a c#lt#re from the ealth of Roman

Caesars) Leo Tenths) magnificent Iings of :rance) >rand D#kes of T#scan<) D#kes of

De6onshire) Tonle<s) %ernons and 5eels) in England; or hate6er great proprietors&

9t is the interest of all men that there sho#ld !e %aticans and Lo#6res f#ll of no!le

orks of art; British M#se#ms) and :rench >ardens of 5lants) 5hiladelphia

3cademies of 7at#ral Histor<) Bodleian) 3m!rosian) Ro<al) Congressional Li!raries&

9t is the interest of all that there sho#ld !e Exploring Expeditions; Captain Cooks to

6o<age ro#nd the orld) Rosses) :ranklins) Richardsons and Ianes) to find the

magnetic and the geographic poles& We are all richer for the meas#rement of a degree

of latit#de on the earths s#rface& =#r na6igation is safer for the chart& Ho intimatel<

o#r knoledge of the s<stem of the Uni6erse rests on thatand a tr#e econom< in a

state or an indi6id#al ill forget its fr#galit< in !ehalf of claims like these&

5age 1K

Whilst it is each mans interest that not onl< ease and con6enience of li6ing) !#t also

ealth or s#rpl#s prod#ct sho#ld exist somehere) it need not !e in his hands& =ften itis 6er< #ndesira!le to him& >oethe said ell) G7o!od< sho#ld !e rich !#t those ho

#nderstand it&G Some men are !orn to on) and can animate all their possessions&

=thers cannot" their oning is not gracef#l; seems to !e a compromise of their

character; the< seem to steal their on di6idends& The< sho#ld on ho can

administer) not the< ho hoard and conceal; not the< ho) the greater proprietors the<

are) are onl< the greater !eggars) !#t the< hose ork car6es o#t ork for more)

opens a path for all& :or he is the rich man in hom the people are rich) and he is the

poor man in hom the people are poor; and ho to gi6e all access to the masterpieces

of art and nat#re) is the pro!lem of ci6ili?ation& The socialism of o#r da< has done

good ser6ice in setting men on thinking ho certain ci6ili?ing !enefits) no onl<

enAo<ed !< the op#lent) can !e enAo<ed !< all& :or example) the pro6iding to each man



the means and apparat#s of science and of the arts& There are man< articles good for

occasional #se) hich fe men are a!le to on& E6er< man ishes to

5age 1+

see the ring of Sat#rn) the satellites and !elts of J#piter and Mars) the mo#ntains and

craters in the moon; <et ho fe can !#< a telescope and of those) scarcel< one

o#ld like the tro#!le of keeping it in order and exhi!iting it& $*( So of electrical andchemical apparat#s) and man< the like things& E6er< man ma< ha6e occasion to

cons#lt !ooks hich he does not care to possess) s#ch as c<clopedias) dictionaries)

ta!les) charts) maps and other p#!lic doc#ments; pict#res also of !irds) !easts) fishes)

shells) trees) floers) hose names he desires to kno&

There is a refining infl#ence from the arts of Design on a prepared mind hich is as

positi6e as that of m#sic) and not to !e s#pplied from an< other so#rce& B#t pict#res)

engra6ings) stat#es and casts) !eside their first cost) entail expenses) as of galleries

and keepers for the exhi!ition; and the #se hich an< man can make of them is rare)

and their 6al#e too is m#ch enhanced !< the n#m!ers of men ho can share their

enAo<ment& 9n the >reek cities it as reckoned profane that an< person sho#ld pretenda propert< in a ork of art) hich !elonged to all ho co#ld !ehold it& 9 think

sometimes) co#ld 9 onl< ha6e m#sic on m< on terms; co#ld 9 li6e in a great cit< and

kno

5age 11

here 9 co#ld go hene6er 9 ished the a!l#tion and in#ndation of m#sical a6es)

that ere a !ath and a medicine& $*(

9f properties of this kind ere oned !< states) tons and l<ce#ms) the< o#ld dra

the !onds of neigh!orhood closer& 3 ton o#ld exist to an intellect#al p#rpose& 9n

E#rope) here the fe#dal forms sec#re the permanence of ealth in certain families)

those families !#< and preser6e these things and la< them open to the p#!lic& B#t in

3merica) here democratic instit#tions di6ide e6er< estate into small portions after a

fe <ears) the p#!lic sho#ld step into the place of these proprietors) and pro6ide this

c#lt#re and inspiration for the citi?en&

Man as !orn to !e rich) or ine6ita!l< gros rich !< the #se of his fac#lties; !< the

#nion of tho#ght ith nat#re& 5ropert< is an intellect#al prod#ction& The game

re#ires coolness) right reasoning) promptness and patience in the pla<ers& C#lti6ated

la!or dri6es o#t !r#te la!or& 3n infinite n#m!er of shred men) in infinite <ears) ha6e

arri6ed at certain !est and shortest a<s of doing) and this acc#m#lated skill in arts)c#lt#res) har6estings) c#rings) man#fact#res) na6igations) exchanges) constit#tes the

orth of o#r orld to.da<&

5age *,,

Commerce is a game of skill) hich e6er< man cannot pla<) hich fe men can pla<

ell& The right merchant is one ho has the A#st a6erage of fac#lties e call common.

sense; a man of a strong affinit< for facts) ho makes #p his decision on hat he has

seen& He is thoro#ghl< pers#aded of the tr#ths of arithmetic& There is ala<s a reason)

in the man) for his good or !ad fort#ne) and so in making mone<& $*( Men talk as if

there ere some magic a!o#t this) and !elie6e in magic) in all parts of life& He knosthat all goes on the old road) po#nd for po#nd) cent for cent)for e6er< effect a



perfect ca#se)and that good l#ck is another name for tenacit< of p#rpose& He ins#res

himself in e6er< transaction) and likes small and s#re gains& 5ro!it< and closeness to

the facts are the !asis) !#t the masters of the art add a certain long arithmetic& The

pro!lem is to com!ine man< and remote operations ith the acc#rac< and adherence

to the facts hich is eas< in near and small transactions; so to arri6e at gigantic

res#lts) itho#t an< compromise of safet<& 7apoleon as fond of telling the stor< ofthe Marseilles !anker ho said to his 6isitor) s#rprised at the contrast !eteen the

splendor of the !ankers chQtea# and hospitalit< and the meanness

5age *,*

of the co#nting.room in hich he had seen him)G@o#ng man) <o# are too <o#ng to

#nderstand ho masses are formed; the tr#e and onl< poer) hether composed of

mone<) ater or men; it is all alike; a mass is an immense centre of motion) !#t it

m#st !e !eg#n) it m#st !e kept #p"Gand he might ha6e added that the a< in hich

it m#st !e !eg#n and kept #p is !< o!edience to the la of particles&

S#ccess consists in close appliance to the las of the orld) and since those las are

intellect#al and moral) an intellect#al and moral o!edience& 5olitical Econom< is asgood a !ook herein to read the life of man and the ascendenc< of las o6er all

pri6ate and hostile infl#ences) as an< Bi!le hich has come don to #s&

Mone< is representati6e) and follos the nat#re and fort#nes of the oner& The coin is

a delicate meter of ci6il) social and moral changes& The farmer is co6eto#s of his

dollar) and ith reason& 9t is no aif to him& He knos ho man< strokes of la!or it

represents& His !ones ache ith the da<s ork that earned it& He knos ho m#ch

land it represents;ho m#ch rain) frost and s#nshine& He knos that) in the dollar)

he gi6es <o# so m#ch discretion

5age *,/

and patience) so m#ch hoeing and threshing& Tr< to lift his dollar; <o# m#st lift all that

eight& 9n the cit<) here mone< follos the skit of a pen or a l#ck< rise in exchange)

it comes to !e looked on as light& 9 ish the farmer held it dearer) and o#ld spend it

onl< for real !read; force for force&

The farmers dollar is hea6< and the clerks is light and nim!le; leaps o#t of his

pocket; A#mps on to cards and faro.ta!les" !#t still more c#rio#s is its s#scepti!ilit< to

metaph<sical changes& 9t is the finest !arometer of social storms) and anno#nces

re6ol#tions&

E6er< step of ci6il ad6ancement makes e6er< mans dollar orth more& 9n California)

the co#ntr< here it gre)hat o#ld it !#< 3 fe <ears since) it o#ld !#< a

shant<) d<senter<) h#nger) !ad compan< and crime& There are ide co#ntries) like

Si!eria) here it o#ld !#< little else to.da< than some pett< mitigation of s#ffering&

9n Rome it ill !#< !ea#t< and magnificence& :ort< <ears ago) a dollar o#ld not !#<

m#ch in Boston& 7o it ill !#< a great deal more in o#r old ton) thanks to

railroads) telegraphs) steamers) and the contemporaneo#s groth of 7e @ork and the

hole co#ntr<& @et there are man< goods appertaining to a

5age *,-

capital cit< hich are not <et p#rchasa!le here) no) not ith a mo#ntain of dollars& 3dollar in :lorida is not orth a dollar in Massach#setts& 3 dollar is not 6al#e) !#t



representati6e of 6al#e) and) at last) of moral 6al#es& 3 dollar is rated for the corn it

ill !#<) or to speak strictl<) not for the corn or ho#se.room) !#t for 3thenian corn)

and Roman ho#se.room)for the it) pro!it< and poer hich e eat !read and

dell in ho#se to share and exert& Wealth is mental; ealth is moral& The 6al#e of a

dollar is) to !#< A#st things; a dollar goes on increasing in 6al#e ith all the geni#s

and all the 6irt#e of the orld& $*( 3 dollar in a #ni6ersit< is orth more than a dollarin a Aail; in a temperate) schooled) la.a!iding comm#nit< than in some sink of crime)

here dice) kni6es and arsenic are in constant pla<&

The Bank.7ote Detector is a #sef#l p#!lication& B#t the c#rrent dollar) sil6er or paper)

is itself the detector of the right and rong here it circ#lates& 9s it not instantl<

enhanced !< the increase of e#it< 9f a trader ref#ses to sell his 6ote) or adheres to

some odio#s right) he makes so m#ch more e#it< in Massach#setts; and e6er< acre in

the state is more orth) in the ho#r of his action& 9f <o# take o#t of State Street

5age *,0

the ten honestest merchants and p#t in ten rog#ish persons controlling the sameamo#nt of capital) the rates of ins#rance ill indicate it; the so#ndness of !anks ill

sho it; the higha<s ill !e less sec#re; the schools ill feel it) the children ill

!ring home their little dose of the poison; the A#dge ill sit less firml< on the !ench)

and his decisions !e less #pright; he has lost so m#ch s#pport and constraint) hich all

need; and the p#lpit ill !etra< it) in a laxer r#le of life& 3n apple.tree) if <o# take o#t

e6er< da< for a n#m!er of da<s a load of loam and p#t in a load of sand a!o#t its

roots) ill find it o#t& 3n apple.tree is a st#pid kind of creat#re) !#t if this treatment !e

p#rs#ed for a short time 9 think it o#ld !egin to mistr#st something& 3nd if <o#

sho#ld take o#t of the poerf#l class engaged in trade a h#ndred good men and p#t in

a h#ndred !ad) or) hat is A#st the same thing) introd#ce a demorali?ing instit#tion)

o#ld not the dollar) hich is not m#ch st#pider than an apple.tree) presentl< find it

o#t The 6al#e of a dollar is social) as it is created !< societ<& E6er< man ho

remo6es into this cit< ith an< p#rchasa!le talent or skill in him) gi6es to e6er< mans

la!or in the cit< a ne orth& 9f a talent is an<here !orn into the orld) the

comm#nit<

5age *,F

of nations is enriched; and m#ch more ith a ne degree of pro!it<& $*( The expense

of crime) one of the principal charges of e6er< nation) is so far stopped& 9n E#rope)

crime is o!ser6ed to increase or a!ate ith the price of !read& 9f the Rothschilds at

5aris do not accept !ills) the people at Manchester) at 5aisle<) at Birmingham are

forced into the higha<) and landlords are shot don in 9reland& The police.recordsattest it& The 6i!rations are presentl< felt in 7e @ork) 7e =rleans and Chicago& 7ot

m#ch otherise the economical poer to#ches the masses thro#gh the political lords&

Rothschild ref#ses the R#ssian loan) and there is peace and the har6ests are sa6ed& He

takes it) and there is ar and an agitation thro#gh a large portion of mankind) ith

e6er< hideo#s res#lt) ending in re6ol#tion and a ne order&

Wealth !rings ith it its on checks and !alances& The !asis of political econom< is

non.interference& The onl< safe r#le is fo#nd in the self.adA#sting meter of demand

and s#ppl<& Do not legislate& Meddle) and <o# snap the sines ith <o#r s#mpt#ar<

las& >i6e no !o#nties) make e#al las) sec#re life and propert<) and <o# need not

gi6e alms& =pen the doors of opport#nit< to talent and 6irt#e and the< ill



5age *,'

do themsel6es A#stice) and propert< ill not !e in !ad hands& 9n a free and A#st

commonealth) propert< r#shes from the idle and im!ecile to the ind#strio#s) !ra6e

and perse6ering& $*(

The las of nat#re pla< thro#gh trade) as a to<.!atter< exhi!its the effects ofelectricit<& The le6el of the sea is not more s#rel< kept than is the e#ili!ri#m of 6al#e

in societ< !< the demand and s#ppl<; and artifice or legislation p#nishes itself !<

reactions) gl#ts and !ankr#ptcies& The s#!lime las pla< indifferentl< thro#gh atoms

and galaxies& Whoe6er knos hat happens in the getting and spending of a loaf of

!read and a pint of !eer) that no ishing ill change the rigoro#s limits of pints and

penn< loa6es; that for all that is cons#med so m#ch less remains in the !asket and pot)

!#t hat is gone o#t of these is not asted) !#t ell spend) if it no#rish his !od< and

ena!le him to finish his task;knos all of political econom< that the !#dgets of

empires can teach him& The interest of pett< econom< is this s<m!oli?ation of the

great econom<; the a< in hich a ho#se and a pri6ate mans methods tall< ith the

solar s<stem and the las of gi6e and take) thro#gho#t nat#re; and hoe6er ar< eare of the falsehoods and pett< tricks hich e s#icidall< pla<

5age *,K

off on each other) e6er< man has a certain satisfaction hene6er his dealing to#ches

on the ine6ita!le facts; hen he sees that things themsel6es dictate the price) as the<

ala<s tend to do) and) in large man#fact#res) are seen to do& @o#r paper is not fine or

coarse eno#gh)is too hea6<) or too thin& The man#fact#rer sa<s he ill f#rnish <o#

ith A#st that thickness or thinness <o# ant; the pattern is #ite indifferent to him;

here is his sched#le;an< 6ariet< of paper) as cheaper or dearer) ith the prices

annexed& 3 po#nd of paper costs so m#ch) and <o# ma< ha6e it made #p in an<

pattern <o# fanc<&

There is in all o#r dealings a self.reg#lation that s#persedes chaffering& @o# ill rent a

ho#se) !#t m#st ha6e it cheap& The oner can red#ce the rent) !#t so he incapacitates

himself from making proper repairs) and the tenant gets not the ho#se he o#ld ha6e)

!#t a orse one; !esides that a relation a little inA#rio#s is esta!lished !eteen

landlord and tenant& @o# dismiss <o#r la!orer) sa<ing) G5atrick) 9 shall send for <o# as

soon as 9 cannot do itho#t <o#&G 5atrick goes off contented) for he knos that the

eeds ill gro ith the potatoes) the 6ines m#st !e planted) next eek) and hoe6er

5age *,+#nilling <o# ma< !e) the cantelo#pes) crook.necks and c#c#m!ers ill send for him&

Who !#t m#st ish that all la!or and 6al#e sho#ld stand on the same simple and s#rl<

market 9f it is the !est of its kind) it ill& We m#st ha6e Aoiner) locksmith) planter)

priest) poet) doctor) cook) ea6er) ostler; each in t#rn) thro#gh the <ear&

9f a St& Michaels pear sells for a shilling) it costs a shilling to raise it& $*( 9f) in Boston)

the !est sec#rities offer tel6e per cent& for mone<) the< ha6e A#st six per cent& of

insec#rit<& @o# ma< not see that the fine pear costs <o# a shilling) !#t it costs the

comm#nit< so m#ch& The shilling represents the n#m!er of enemies the pear has) and

the amo#nt of risk in ripening it& The price of coal shos the narroness of the coal.

field) and a comp#lsor< confinement of the miners to a certain district& 3ll salaries arereckoned on contingent as ell as on act#al ser6ices& G9f the ind ere ala<s



so#thest !< est)G said the skipper) Gomen might take ships to sea&G =ne might sa<

that all things are of one price; that nothing is cheap or dear) and that the apparent

disparities that strike #s are onl< a shopmans trick of concealing the damage in <o#r

!argain& 3 <o#th coming into the cit<

5age *,1from his nati6e 7e Hampshire farm) ith its hard fare still fresh in his

remem!rance) !oards at a first.class hotel) and !elie6es he m#st someho ha6e

o#titted Dr& :ranklin and Malth#s) for l#x#ries are cheap& B#t he pa<s for the one

con6enience of a !etter dinner) !< the loss of some of the richest social and

ed#cational ad6antages& He has lost hat g#ards hat incenti6es He ill perhaps

find !< and !< that he left the M#ses at the door of the hotel) and fo#nd the :#ries

inside& Mone< often costs too m#ch) and poer and pleas#re are not cheap& The

ancient poet said) GThe gods sell all things at a fair price&G $*(

There is an example of the compensations in the commercial histor< of this co#ntr<&

When the E#ropean ars thre the carr<ing.trade of the orld) from *+,, to *+*/)into 3merican !ottoms) a sei?#re as no and then made of an 3merican ship& =f

co#rse the loss as serio#s to the oner) !#t the co#ntr< as indemnified; for e

charged threepence a po#nd for carr<ing cotton) sixpence for to!acco) and so on;

hich paid for the risk and loss) and !ro#ght into the co#ntr< an immense prosperit<)

earl< marriages) pri6ate ealth) the !#ilding of cities and of states" and after the ar

as o6er) e recei6ed

5age **,

compensation o6er and a!o6e) !< treat<) for all the sei?#res& Well) the 3mericans gre

rich and great& B#t the pa<.da< comes ro#nd& Britain) :rance and >erman<) hich o#r

extraordinar< profits had impo6erished) send o#t) attracted !< the fame of o#r

ad6antages) first their tho#sands) then their millions of poor people) to share the crop&

3t first e emplo< them) and increase o#r prosperit<; !#t in the artificial s<stem of

societ< and of protected la!or) hich e also ha6e adopted and enlarged) there come

presentl< checks and stoppages& Then e ref#se to emplo< these poor men& B#t the<

ill not !e so ansered& The< go into the poor.rates) and tho#gh e ref#se ages) e

m#st no pa< the same amo#nt in the form of taxes& 3gain) it t#rns o#t that the largest

proportion of crimes are committed !< foreigners& The cost of the crime and the

expense of co#rts and of prisons e m#st !ear) and the standing arm< of pre6enti6e

police e m#st pa<& The cost of ed#cation of the posterit< of this great colon<) 9 ill

not comp#te& B#t the gross amo#nt of these costs ill !egin to pa< !ack hat etho#ght as a net gain from o#r transatlantic c#stomers of *+,,& 9t is 6ain to ref#se

this pa<ment& We cannot get rid of these people)

5age ***

and e cannot get rid of their ill to !e s#pported& That has !ecome an ine6ita!le

element of o#r politics; and) for their 6otes) each of the dominant parties co#rts and

assists them to get it exec#ted& Moreo6er) e ha6e to pa<) not hat o#ld ha6e

contented them at home) !#t hat the< ha6e learned to think necessar< here; so that

opinion) fanc< and all manner of moral considerations complicate the pro!lem&

There are fe meas#res of econom< hich ill !ear to !e named itho#t disg#st; for

the s#!Aect is tender and e ma< easil< ha6e too m#ch of it) and therein resem!les thehideo#s animalc#les of hich o#r !odies are !#ilt #p)hich) offensi6e in the



partic#lar) <et compose 6al#a!le and effecti6e masses& $*( =#r nat#re and geni#s force

#s to respect ends) hilst e #se means& We m#st #se the means) and <et) in o#r most

acc#rate #sing someho screen and cloak them) as e can onl< gi6e them an< !ea#t<

!< a reflection of the glor< of the end& That is the good head) hich ser6es the end and

commands the means& The ra!!le are corr#pted !< their means; the means are too

strong for them) and the< desert their end&

*& The first of these meas#res is that each

5age **/

mans expense m#st proceed from his character& 3s long as <o#r geni#s !#<s) the

in6estment is safe) tho#gh <o# spend like a monarch& 7at#re arms each man ith

some fac#lt< hich ena!les him to do easil< some feat impossi!le to an< other) and

th#s makes him necessar< to societ<& This nati6e determination g#ides his la!or and

his spending& He ants an e#ipment of means and tools proper to his talent& 3nd to

sa6e on this point ere to ne#trali?e the special strength and helpf#lness of each

mind& Do <o#r ork) respecting the excellence of the ork) and not itsaccepta!leness& This is so m#ch econom< that) rightl< read) it is the s#m of econom<&

5rofligac< consists not in spending <ears of time or chests of mone<)!#t in

spending them off the line of <o#r career& The crime hich !ankr#pts men and states

is Ao!ork;declining from <o#r main design) to ser6e a t#rn here or there& 7othing

is !eneath <o#) if it is in the direction of <o#r life; nothing is great or desira!le if it is

off from that& 9 think e are entitled here to dra a straight line and sa< that societ<

can ne6er prosper !#t m#st ala<s !e !ankr#pt) #ntil e6er< man does that hich he

as created to do& $*(

Spend for <o#r expense) and retrench the

5age **-

expense hich is not <o#rs& 3llston the painter as ont to sa< that he !#ilt a plain

ho#se) and filled it ith plain f#rnit#re) !eca#se he o#ld hold o#t no !ri!e to an< to

6isit him ho had not similar tastes to his on& We are s<mpathetic) and) like

children) ant e6er<thing e see& B#t it is a large stride to independence) hen a man)

in the disco6er< of his proper talent) has s#nk the necessit< for false expenses& 3s the

!etrothed maiden !< one sec#re affection is relie6ed from a s<stem of sla6eries)the

dail< inc#lcated necessit< of pleasing all)so the man ho has fo#nd hat he can do)

can spend on that and lea6e all other spending& Montaigne said) GWhen he as a

<o#nger !rother) he ent !ra6e in dress and e#ipage) !#t afterard his chQtea# andfarms might anser for him&G Let a man ho !elongs to the class of no!les) those

namel< ho ha6e fo#nd o#t that the< can do something) relie6e himself of all 6ag#e

s#andering on o!Aects not his& $*( Let the realist not mind appearances& Let him

delegate to others the costl< co#rtesies and decorations of social life& The 6irt#es are

economists) !#t some of the 6ices are also& Th#s) next to h#milit<) 9 ha6e noticed that

pride is a prett< good h#s!and& 3 good pride is) as 9

5age **0

reckon it) orth from fi6e h#ndred to fifteen h#ndred a <ear& 5ride is handsome)

economical; pride eradicates so man< 6ices) letting none s#!sist !#t itself) that it

seems as if it ere a great gain to exchange 6anit< for pride& 5ride can go itho#t

domestics) itho#t fine clothes) can li6e in a ho#se ith to rooms) can eat potato) p#rslain) !eans) l<ed corn) can ork on the soil) can tra6el afoot) can talk ith poor



men) or sit silent ell contented in fine saloons& B#t 6anit< costs mone<) la!or) horses)

men) omen) health and peace) and is still nothing at last; a long a< leading

nohere& =nl< one dra!ack; pro#d people are intolera!l< selfish) and the 6ain are

gentle and gi6ing& $*(

3rt is a Aealo#s mistress) and if a man ha6e a geni#s for painting) poetr<) m#sic)architect#re or philosoph<) he makes a !ad h#s!and and an ill pro6ider) and sho#ld !e

ise in season and not fetter himself ith d#ties hich ill em!itter his da<s and

spoil him for his proper ork& We had in this region) tent< <ears ago) among o#r

ed#cated men) a sort of 3rcadian fanaticism) a passionate desire to go #pon the land

and #nite farming to intellect#al p#rs#its& Man< effected their p#rpose and made the

experiment) and some !ecame donright plo#ghmen; !#t

5age **F

all ere c#red of their faith that scholarship and practical farming 9 mean) ith ones

on hands co#ld !e #nited& $*(

With !ro !ent) ith firm intent) the pale scholar lea6es his desk to dra a freer

!reath and get a A#ster statement of his tho#ght) in the garden.alk& He stoops to p#ll

#p a p#rslain or a dock that is choking the <o#ng corn) and finds there are to; close

!ehind the last is a third; he reaches o#t his hand to a fo#rth) !ehind that are fo#r

tho#sand and one& He is heated and #nt#ned) and !< and !< akes #p from his idiot

dream of chickeed and red.root) to remem!er his morning tho#ght) and to find that

ith his adamantine p#rposes he has !een d#ped !< a dandelion& 3 garden is like

those pernicio#s machineries e read of e6er< month in the nespapers) hich catch

a mans coat.skirt or his hand and dra in his arm) his leg and his hole !od< to

irresisti!le destr#ction& 9n an e6il ho#r he p#lled don his all and added a field to

his homestead& 7o land is !ad) !#t land is orse& 9f a man on land) the land ons

him& 7o let him lea6e home) if he dare& E6er< tree and graft) e6er< hill of melons)

ro of corn) or #ickset hedge; all he has done and all he means to do) stand in his

a< like d#ns) hen he o#ld

5age **'

go o#t of his gate& The de6otion to these 6ines and trees he finds poisono#s& Long free

alks) a circ#it of miles) free his !rain and ser6e his !od<& Long marches are no

hardship to him& He !elie6es he composes easil< on the hills& B#t this pottering in a

fe s#are <ards of garden is dispiriting and dri6elling& The smell of the plants has

dr#gged him and ro!!ed him of energ<& He finds a cataleps< in his !ones& He gros pee6ish and poor.spirited& The geni#s of reading and of gardening are antagonistic)

like resino#s and 6itreo#s electricit<& =ne is concentrati6e in sparks and shocks; the

other is diff#se strength; so that each dis#alifies its orkman for the others d#ties&

$*(

3n engra6er) hose hands m#st !e of an ex#isite delicac< of stroke) sho#ld not la<

stone alls& Sir Da6id Brester gi6es exact instr#ctions for microscopic o!ser6ation"

GLie don on <o#r !ack) and hold the single lens and o!Aect o6er <o#r e<e)G etc&) etc&

Ho m#ch more the seeker of a!stract tr#th) ho needs periods of isolation and rapt

concentration and almost a going o#t of the !od< to think



/& Spend after <o#r geni#s) and !< s<stem& $/( 7at#re goes !< r#le) not !< sallies and

saltations& There m#st !e s<stem in the economies&

5age **K

Sa6ing and #nexpensi6eness ill not keep the most pathetic famil< from r#in) nor ill

!igger incomes make free spending safe& The secret of s#ccess lies ne6er in theamo#nt of mone<) !#t in the relation of income to o#tgo; as) after expense has !een

fixed at a certain point) then ne and stead< rills of income) tho#gh ne6er so small)

!eing added) ealth !egins& B#t in ordinar<) as means increase) spending increases

faster) so that large incomes) in England and elsehere) are fo#nd not to help matters;

the eating #alit< of de!t does not relax its 6oracit<& When the cholera is in the

potato) hat is the #se of planting larger crops 9n England) the richest co#ntr< in the

#ni6erse) 9 as ass#red !< shred o!ser6ers that great lords and ladies had no more

g#ineas to gi6e aa< than other people; that li!eralit< ith mone< is as rare and as

immediatel< famo#s a 6irt#e as it is here& Want is a groing giant hom the coat of

Ha6e as ne6er large eno#gh to co6er& 9 remem!er in Warickshire to ha6e !een

shon a fair manor) still in the same name as in Shakspeares time& The rent.roll 9 astold is some fo#rteen tho#sand po#nds a <ear; !#t hen the second son of the late

proprietor as !orn) the father as perplexed ho to pro6ide for him& The eldest

5age **+

son m#st inherit the manor; hat to do ith this s#pern#merar< He as ad6ised to

!reed him for the Ch#rch and to settle him in the rectorship hich as in the gift of

the famil<; hich as done& 9t is a general r#le in that co#ntr< that !igger incomes do

not help an<!od<& 9t is commonl< o!ser6ed that a s#dden ealth) like a pri?e dran in

a lotter< or a large !e#est to a poor famil<) does not permanentl< enrich& The< ha6e

ser6ed no apprenticeship to ealth) and ith the rapid ealth come rapid claims

hich the< do not kno ho to den<) and the treas#re is #ickl< dissipated&

3 s<stem m#st !e in e6er< econom<) or the !est single expedients are of no a6ail& 3

farm is a good thing hen it !egins and ends ith itself) and does not need a salar< or

a shop to eke it o#t& Th#s) the cattle are a main link in the chain.ring& $*( 9f the non.

conformist or aesthetic farmer lea6es o#t the cattle and does not also lea6e o#t the

ant hich the cattle m#st s#ppl<) he m#st fill the gap !< !egging or stealing& When

men no ali6e ere !orn) the farm <ielded e6er<thing that as cons#med on it& The

farm <ielded no mone<) and the farmer got on itho#t& 9f he fell sick) his neigh!ors

came in to his aid; each ga6e a da<s ork) or

5age **1a half da<; or lent his <oke of oxen) or his horse) and kept his ork e6en; hoed his

potatoes) moed his ha<) reaped his r<e; ell knoing that no man co#ld afford to

hire la!or itho#t selling his land& 9n a#t#mn a farmer co#ld sell an ox or a hog and

get a little mone< to pa< taxes ithal& 7o) the farmer !#<s almost all he cons#mes)

tinare) cloth) s#gar) tea) coffee) fish) coal) railroad tickets and nespapers&

3 master in each art is re#ired) !eca#se the practice is ne6er ith still or dead

s#!Aects) !#t the< change in <o#r hands& @o# think farm !#ildings and !road acres a

solid propert<; !#t its 6al#e is floing like ater& 9t re#ires as m#ch atching as if

<o# ere decanting ine from a cask& The farmer knos hat to do ith it) stops

e6er< leak) t#rns all the streamlets to one reser6oir and decants ine; !#t a !l#nderhead comes o#t of Cornhill) tries his hand) and it all leaks aa<& So is it ith



granite streets or tim!er tonships as ith fr#it or floers& 7or is an< in6estment so

permanent that it can !e alloed to remain itho#t incessant atching) as the histor<

of each attempt to lock #p an inheritance thro#gh to generations for an #n!orn

inheritor ma< sho& $*(

5age */,

When Mr& Cocka<ne takes a cottage in the co#ntr<) and ill keep his co) he thinks a

co is a creat#re that is fed on ha< and gi6es a pail of milk tice a da<& B#t the co

that he !#<s gi6es milk for three months; then her !ag dries #p& What to do ith a dr<

co ho ill !#< her 5erhaps he !o#ght also a <oke of oxen to do his ork; !#t

the< get !lon and lame& What to do ith !lon and lame oxen The farmer fats his

after the spring ork is done) and kills them in the fall& B#t ho can Cocka<ne) ho

has no past#res) and lea6es his cottage dail< in the cars at !#siness ho#rs) !e pothered

ith fatting and killing oxen He plants trees; !#t there m#st !e crops) to keep the

trees in plo#ghed land& What shall !e the crops He ill ha6e nothing to do ith trees)

!#t ill ha6e grass& 3fter a <ear or to the grass m#st !e t#rned #p and plo#ghed;no hat crops Cred#lo#s Cocka<ne

-& Help comes in the c#stom of the co#ntr<) and the r#le of 9mpera parendo& $*( The

r#le is not to dictate nor to insist on carr<ing o#t each of <o#r schemes !< ignorant

ilf#lness) !#t to learn practicall< the secret spoken from all nat#re) that things

themsel6es ref#se to !e mismanaged) and ill sho to the atchf#l their

5age */*

on la& 7o!od< need stir hand or foot& The c#stom of the co#ntr< ill do it all& 9

kno not ho to !#ild or to plant; neither ho to !#< ood) nor hat to do ith the

ho#se.lot) the field) or the ood.lot) hen !o#ght& 7e6er fear; it is all settled ho it

shall !e) long !eforehand) in the c#stom of the co#ntr<)hether to sand or hether

to cla< it) hen to plo#gh) and ho to dress) hether to grass or to corn; and <o#

cannot help or hinder it& 7at#re has her on !est mode of doing each thing) and she

has somehere told it plainl<) if e ill keep o#r e<es and ears open& 9f not) she ill

not !e slo in #ndecei6ing #s hen e prefer o#r on a< to hers& Ho often e

m#st remem!er the art of the s#rgeon) hich) in replacing the !roken !one) contents

itself ith releasing the parts from false position; the< fl< into place !< the action of

the m#scles& =n this art of nat#re all o#r arts rel<&

=f the to eminent engineers in the recent constr#ction of raila<s in England) Mr&Br#nel ent straight from termin#s to termin#s) thro#gh mo#ntains) o6er streams)

crossing higha<s) c#tting d#cal estates in to) and shooting thro#gh this mans cellar

and that mans attic indo) and so arri6ing at his end) at great pleas#re to

5age *//

geometers) !#t ith cost to his compan<& Mr& Stephenson on the contrar<) !elie6ing

that the ri6er knos the a<) folloed his 6alle< as implicitl< as o#r Western Railroad

follos the Westfield Ri6er) and t#rned o#t to !e the safest and cheapest engineer& $*(

We sa< the cos laid o#t Boston& Well) there are orse s#r6e<ors& E6er< pedestrian in

o#r past#res has fre#ent occasion to thank the cos for c#tting the !est path thro#gh

the thicket and o6er the hills; and tra6ellers and 9ndians kno the 6al#e of a !#ffalo.trail) hich is s#re to !e the easiest possi!le pass thro#gh the ridge&



When a citi?en fresh from Dock S#are or Milk Street comes o#t and !#<s land in the

co#ntr<) his first tho#ght is to a fine o#tlook from his indos; his li!rar< m#st

command a estern 6ie; a s#nset e6er< da<) !athing the sho#lder of Bl#e Hills)

Wach#sett) and the peaks of Monadnoc and Uncanoon#c& What) thirt< acres) and all

this magnificence for fifteen h#ndred dollars 9t o#ld !e cheap at fift< tho#sand& He proceeds at once) his e<es dim ith tears of Ao<) to fix the spot for his corner.stone&

B#t the man ho is to le6el the gro#nd thinks it ill take man< h#ndred loads of

gra6el to fill the hollo to the road& The stone.mason

5age */-

ho sho#ld !#ild the ell thinks he shall ha6e to dig fort< feet; the !aker do#!ts he

shall ne6er like to dri6e #p to the door; the practical neigh!or ca6ils at the position of

the !arn; and the citi?en comes to kno that his predecessor the farmer !#ilt the ho#se

in the right spot for the s#n and ind) the spring) and ater.drainage) and the

con6enience to the past#re) the garden) the field and the road& So Dock S#are <ields

the point) and things ha6e their on a<& Use has made the farmer ise) and thefoolish citi?en learns to take his co#nsel& :rom step to step he comes at last to

s#rrender at discretion& The farmer affects to take his orders; !#t the citi?en sa<s) @o#

ma< ask me as often as <o# ill) and in hat ingenio#s forms) for an opinion

concerning the mode of !#ilding m< all) or sinking m< ell) or la<ing o#t m< acre)

!#t the !all ill re!o#nd to <o#& These are matters on hich 9 neither kno nor need

to kno an<thing& These are #estions hich <o# and not 9 shall anser&

7ot less ithin doors a s<stem settles itself paramo#nt and t<rannical o6er master and

mistress) ser6ant and child) co#sin and ac#aintance& T is in 6ain that geni#s or 6irt#e

or energ< of character stri6e and cr< against it& This is fate&

5age */0

3nd t is 6er< ell that the poor h#s!and reads in a !ook of a ne a< of li6ing) and

resol6es to adopt it at home; let him go home and tr< it) if he dare&

0& 3nother point of econom< is to look for seed of the same kind as <o# so) and not

to hope to !#< one kind ith another kind& :riendship !#<s friendship; A#stice) A#stice;

militar< merit) militar< s#ccess& >ood h#s!andr< finds ife) children and ho#sehold&

The good merchant) large gains) ships) stocks and mone<& The good poet) fame and

literar< credit; !#t not either) the other& @et there is commonl< a conf#sion of

expectations on these points& Hotsp#r li6es for the moment) praises himself for it) anddespises :#rlong) that he does not& Hotsp#r of co#rse is poor) and :#rlong a good

pro6ider& The odd circ#mstance is that Hotsp#r thinks it a s#periorit< in himself) this

impro6idence) hich o#ght to !e rearded ith :#rlongs lands&

9 ha6e not at all completed m< design& B#t e m#st not lea6e the topic itho#t casting

one glance into the interior recesses& 9t is a doctrine of philosoph< that man is a !eing

of degrees; that there is nothing in the orld hich is not repeated in his !od<) his

!od< !eing a sort of

5age */F



miniat#re or s#mmar< of the orld; then that there is nothing in his !od< hich is not

repeated as in a celestial sphere in his mind; then) there is nothing in his !rain hich

is not repeated in a higher sphere in his moral s<stem&

F& 7o these things are so in nat#re& 3ll things ascend) and the ro<al r#le of econom<

is that it sho#ld ascend also) or) hate6er e do m#st ala<s ha6e a higher aim& Th#sit is a maxim that mone< is another kind of !lood) 5ec#nia alter sang#is" or) the estate

of a man is onl< a larger kind of !od<) and admits of regimen analogo#s to his !odil<

circ#lations& So there is no maxim of the merchant hich does not admit of an

extended sense) e& g&) GBest #se of mone< is to pa< de!ts;G GE6er< !#siness !< itself;G

GBest time is present time;G GThe right in6estment is in tools of <o#r trade;G and the

like& The co#nting.room maxims li!erall< expo#nded are las of the #ni6erse& The

merchants econom< is a coarse s<m!ol of the so#ls econom<& 9t is to spend for poer

and not for pleas#re& 9t is to in6est income; that is to sa<) to take #p partic#lars into

generals; da<s into integral erasliterar<) emoti6e) practicalof its life) and still to

ascend in its in6estment& The merchant has !#t one r#le)

5age */'

a!sor! and in6est; he is to !e capitalist; the scraps and filings m#st !e gathered !ack

into the cr#ci!le; the gas and smoke m#st !e !#rned) and earnings m#st not go to

increase expense) !#t to capital again& $*( Well) the man m#st !e capitalist& Will he

spend his income) or ill he in6est His !od< and e6er< organ is #nder the same la&

His !od< is a Aar in hich the li#or of life is stored& Will he spend for pleas#re The

a< to r#in is short and facile& Will he not spend !#t hoard for poer 9t passes

thro#gh the sacred fermentations) !< that la of nat#re here!< e6er<thing clim!s to

higher platforms) and !odil< 6igor !ecomes mental and moral 6igor& The !read he eats

is first strength and animal spirits; it !ecomes) in higher la!oratories) imager< and

tho#ght; and in still higher res#lts) co#rage and end#rance& This is the right compo#nd

interest; this is capital do#!led) #adr#pled) cent#pled; man raised to his highest

poer&

The tr#e thrift is ala<s to spend on the higher plane; to in6est and in6est) ith keener

a6arice) that he ma< spend in spirit#al creation and not in a#gmenting animal

existence& 7or is the man enriched) in repeating the old experiments

5age */K

of animal sensation; nor #nless thro#gh ne poers and ascending pleas#res he

knos himself !< the act#al experience of higher good to !e alread< on the a< to thehighest& $*(

5age $#nn#m!ered(


5oered !< DLS










5age $#nn#m!ered(

%& BEH3%9=R

>R3CE) Bea#t<) and Caprice

B#ild this golden portal)

>racef#l omen) chosen men

Da??le e6er< mortal"Their seet and loft< co#ntenance

His enchanting food;

He need not go to them) their forms

Beset his solit#de&

He looketh seldom in their face)

His e<es explore the gro#nd)

The green grass is a looking.glass

Whereon their traits are fo#nd&

Little he sa<s to them)

So dances his heart in his !reast)

Their tran#il mien !erea6eth him

=f it) of ords) of rest&

Too eak to in) too fond to sh#n

The t<rants or his doom)

The m#ch decei6ed End<mion

Slips !ehind a tom!&

5age $#nn#m!ered(

5age $#nn#m!ered(

BEH3%9=R

THE so#l hich animates nat#re is not less significantl< p#!lished in the fig#re)

mo6ement and gest#re of animated !odies) than in its last 6ehicle of artic#late speech&This silent and s#!tile lang#age is Manners; not hat) !#t ho& Life expresses& 3

stat#e has no tong#e) and needs none& >ood ta!lea#x do not need declamation& 7at#re

tells e6er< secret once& @es) !#t in man she tells it all the time) !< form) attit#de)

gest#re) mien) face and parts of the face) and !< the hole action of the machine& The

6isi!le carriage or action of the indi6id#al) as res#lting from his organi?ation and his

ill com!ined) e call manners& What are the< !#t tho#ght entering the hands and

feet) controlling the mo6ements of the !od<) the speech and !eha6ior

There is ala<s a !est a< of doing e6er<thing) if it !e to !oil an egg& Manners are

the happ< a< of doing things; each) once a stroke of geni#s or of lo6e) no repeated

and hardened into #sage& The< form at last a rich 6arnish ith hich the ro#tine oflife is ashed and its details adorned& 9f the< are s#perficial) so are



5age *K,

the de.drops hich gi6e s#ch a depth to the morning meados& Manners are 6er<

comm#nica!le; men catch them from each other& Cons#elo) in the romance) !oasts of

the lessons she had gi6en the no!les in manners) on the stage; and in real life) Talma

ta#ght 7apoleon the arts of !eha6ior& $*( >eni#s in6ents fine manners) hich the !aron and the !aroness cop< 6er< fast) and) !< the ad6antage of a palace) !etter the

instr#ction& The< stereot<pe the lesson the< ha6e learned) into a mode&

The poer of manners is incessant)an element as #nconceala!le as fire& The

no!ilit< cannot in an< co#ntr< !e disg#ised) and no more in a rep#!lic or a democrac<

than in a kingdom& 7o man can resist their infl#ence& There are certain manners hich

are learned in good societ<) of that force that if a person ha6e them) he or she m#st !e

considered) and is e6er<here elcome) tho#gh itho#t !ea#t<) or ealth) or geni#s&

>i6e a !o< address and accomplishments and <o# gi6e him the master< of palaces and

fort#nes here he goes& He has not the tro#!le of earning or oning them) the< solicit

him to enter and possess& $/( We send girls of a timid) retreating disposition to the !oarding.school) to the riding.school) to the !all.room)

5age *K*

or heresoe6er the< can come into ac#aintance and nearness of leading persons of

their on sex; here the< ma< learn address) and see it near at hand& The poer of a

oman of fashion to lead and also to da#nt and repel) deri6es from their !elief that

she knos reso#rces and !eha6iors not knon to them; !#t hen these ha6e mastered

her secret the< learn to confront her) and reco6er their self.possession&

E6er< da< !ears itness to their gentle r#le& 5eople ho o#ld o!tr#de) no do not

o!tr#de& The mediocre circle learns to demand that hich !elongs to a high state of

nat#re or of c#lt#re& @o#r manners are ala<s #nder examination) and !< committees

little s#spected) a police in citi?ens clothes) ho are aarding or den<ing <o# 6er<

high pri?es hen <o# least think of it&

We talk m#ch of #tilities) !#t t is o#r manners that associate #s& 9n ho#rs of !#siness

e go to him ho knos) or has) or does this or that hich e ant) and e do not

let o#r taste or feeling stand in the a<& B#t this acti6it< o6er) e ret#rn to the

indolent state) and ish for those e can !e at ease ith; those ho ill go here e

go) hose manners do not offend #s) hose social tone chimes ith o#rs& When e

reflect on their pers#asi6e and cheering

5age *K/

force; $*( ho the< recommend) prepare) and dra people together; ho) in all cl#!s)

manners make the mem!ers; ho manners make the fort#ne of the am!itio#s <o#th;

that) for the most part) his manners marr< him) and) for the most part) he marries

manners; hen e think hat ke<s the< are) and to hat secrets; hat high lessons

and inspiring tokens of character the< con6e<) and hat di6ination is re#ired in #s

for the reading of this fine telegraph)e see hat range the s#!Aect has) and hat

relations to con6enience) poer and !ea#t<&

Their first ser6ice is 6er< lo)hen the< are the minor morals; !#t t is the !eginning of ci6ilit<)to make #s) 9 mean) end#ra!le to each other& We pri?e them for



their ro#gh.plastic) a!stergent force; to get people o#t of the #adr#ped state; to get

them ashed) clothed and set #p on end; to slo#gh their animal h#sks and ha!its;

compel them to !e clean; o6erae their spite and meanness; teach them to stifle the

!ase and choose the genero#s expression) and make them kno ho m#ch happier the

genero#s !eha6iors are&

Bad !eha6ior the las cannot reach& Societ< is infested ith r#de) c<nical) restless

and fri6olo#s persons) ho pre< #pon the rest) and hom

5age *K-

a p#!lic opinion concentrated into good mannersforms accepted !< the sense of all

can reach" the contradictors and railers at p#!lic and pri6ate ta!les) ho are like

terriers) ho concei6e it the d#t< of a dog of honor to grol at an< passer.!< and do

the honors of the ho#se !< !arking him o#t of sight& $*( 9 ha6e seen men ho neigh

like a horse hen <o# contradict them or sa< something hich the< do not

#nderstand"then the o6er!old) ho make their on in6itation to <o#r hearth; the

perse6ering talker) ho gi6es <o# his societ< in large sat#rating doses; the pitiers ofthemsel6es) a perilo#s class; the fri6olo#s 3smode#s) ho relies on <o# to find him in

ropes of sand to tist; the monotones; in short) e6er< stripe of a!s#rdit<; $/(these

are social inflictions hich the magistrate cannot c#re or defend <o# from) and hich

m#st !e entr#sted to the restraining force of c#stom and pro6er!s and familiar r#les of

!eha6ior impressed on <o#ng people in their school.da<s&

9n the hotels on the !anks of the Mississippi the< print) or #sed to print) among the

r#les of the ho#se) that G7o gentleman can !e permitted to come to the p#!lic ta!le

itho#t his coat;G and in the same co#ntr<) in the pes of the ch#rches little placards

plead ith the orshipper

5age *K0

against the f#r< of expectoration& Charles Dickens self.sacrificingl< #ndertook the

reformation of o#r 3merican manners in #nspeaka!le partic#lars& 9 think the lesson

as not #ite lost; that it held !ad manners #p) so that the ch#rls co#ld see the

deformit<& Unhappil< the !ook had its on deformities& 9t o#ght not to need to print in

a reading.room a ca#tion to strangers not to speak lo#d; nor to persons ho look o6er

fine engra6ings that the< sho#ld !e handled like co!e!s and !#tterflies ings; nor

to persons ho look at mar!le stat#es that the< shall not smite them ith canes& B#t

e6en in the perfect ci6ili?ation of this cit< s#ch ca#tions are not #ite needless in the

3thenae#m and Cit< Li!rar<&

Manners are factitio#s) and gro o#t of circ#mstance as ell as o#t of character& 9f

<o# look at the pict#res of patricians and of peasants of different periods and

co#ntries) <o# ill see ho ell the< match the same classes in o#r tons& The

modern aristocrat not onl< is ell dran in Titians %enetian doges and in Roman

coins and stat#es) !#t also in the pict#res hich Commodore 5err< !ro#ght home of

dignitaries in Japan& Broad lands and great interests not onl< arri6e to s#ch heads as

can manage them)

5age *KF



!#t form manners of poer& 3 keen e<e too ill see nice gradations of rank) or see in

the manners the degree of homage the part< is ont to recei6e& 3 prince ho is

acc#stomed e6er< da< to !e co#rted and deferred to !< the highest grandees) ac#ires

a corresponding expectation and a !ecoming mode of recei6ing and repl<ing to this

homage& $*(

There are ala<s exceptional people and modes& English grandees affect to !e

farmers& Cla6erho#se is a fop) and #nder the finish of dress and le6it< of !eha6ior

hides the terror of his ar& B#t 7at#re and Destin< are honest) and ne6er fail to lea6e

their mark) to hang o#t a sign for each and for e6er< #alit<& 9t is m#ch to con#er

ones face) and perhaps the am!itio#s <o#th thinks he has got the hole secret hen

he has learned that disengaged manners are commanding& Dont !e decei6ed !< a

facile exterior& Tender men sometimes ha6e strong ills& We had in Massach#setts an

old statesman ho had sat all his life in co#rts and in chairs of state itho#t

o6ercoming an extreme irrita!ilit< of face) 6oice and !earing; hen he spoke) his

6oice o#ld not ser6e him; it cracked) it !roke) it hee?ed) it piped;little cared he;

he kne that it had got to pipe) or hee?e) or

5age *K'

screech his arg#ment and his indignation& When he sat don) after speaking) he

seemed in a sort of fit) and held on to his chair ith !oth hands" !#t #nderneath all

this irrita!ilit< as a p#issant ill) firm and ad6ancing) and a memor< in hich la< in

order and method like geologic strata e6er< fact of his histor<) and #nder the control

of his ill& $*(

Manners are partl< factitio#s) !#t mainl< there m#st !e capacit< for c#lt#re in the

!lood& Else all c#lt#re is 6ain& The o!stinate preA#dice in fa6or of !lood) hich lies at

the !ase of the fe#dal and monarchical fa!rics of the =ld World) has some reason in

common experience& E6er< manmathematician) artist) soldier or merchantlooks

ith confidence for some traits and talents in his on child hich he o#ld not dare

to pres#me in the child of a stranger& The =rientalists are 6er< orthodox on this point&

GTake a thorn.!#sh)G said the emir 3!del.Iader) $/( Gand sprinkle it for a hole <ear

ith rose.ater;it ill <ield nothing !#t thorns& Take a date.tree) lea6e it itho#t

ater) itho#t c#lt#re) and it ill ala<s prod#ce dates& 7o!ilit< is the date.tree and

the 3ra! pop#lace is a !#sh of thorns&G

3 main fact in the histor< of manners is the

5age *KK

onderf#l expressi6eness of the h#man !od<& 9f it ere made of glass) or of air) and

the tho#ghts ere ritten on steel ta!lets ithin) it co#ld not p#!lish more tr#l< its

meaning than no& Wise men read 6er< sharpl< all <o#r pri6ate histor< in <o#r look

and gait and !eha6ior& The hole econom< of nat#re is !ent on expression& The tell.

tale !od< is all tong#es& Men are like >ene6a atches ith cr<stal faces hich expose

the hole mo6ement& The< carr< the li#or of life floing #p and don in these

!ea#tif#l !ottles and anno#ncing to the c#rio#s ho it is ith them& The face and e<es

re6eal hat the spirit is doing) ho old it is) hat aims it has& The e<es indicate the

anti#it< of the so#l) or thro#gh ho man< forms it has alread< ascended& 9t almost

6iolates the proprieties if e sa< a!o6e the !reath here hat the confessing e<es donot hesitate to #tter to e6er< street passenger&



Man cannot fix his e<e on the s#n) and so far seems imperfect& 9n Si!eria a late

tra6eller fo#nd men ho co#ld see the satellites of J#piter ith their #narmed e<e& 9n

some respects the animals excel #s& The !irds ha6e a longer sight) !eside the

ad6antage !< their ings of a higher o!ser6ator<& 3 co can !id her calf) !< secret

5age *K+

signal) pro!a!l< of the e<e) to r#n aa< or to lie don and hide itself& The Aocke<s sa<

of certain horses that Gthe< look o6er the hole gro#nd&G The o#t.door life and

h#nting and la!or gi6e e#al 6igor to the h#man e<e& 3 farmer looks o#t at <o# as

strong as the horse; his e<e.!eam is like the stroke of a staff& 3n e<e can threaten like

a loaded and le6elled g#n) or can ins#lt like hissing or kicking; or in its altered mood

!< !eams of kindness it can make the heart dance ith Ao<& $*(

The e<e o!e<s exactl< the action of the mind& When a tho#ght strikes #s) the e<es fix

and remain ga?ing at a distance; in en#merating the names of persons or of co#ntries)

as :rance) >erman<) Spain) T#rke<) the e<es ink at each ne name& There is nonicet< of learning so#ght !< the mind hich the e<es do not 6ie in ac#iring& G3n

artist)G said Michael 3ngelo) Gm#st ha6e his meas#ring tools not in the hand) !#t in

the e<e;G and there is no end to the catalog#e of its performances) hether in indolent

6ision that of health and !ea#t<) or in strained 6ision that of art and la!or&

E<es are !old as lions)ro6ing) r#nning) leaping) here and there) far and near& The<

speak all lang#ages& The< ait for no introd#ction;

5age *K1

the< are no Englishmen; ask no lea6e of age) or rank; the< respect neither po6ert< nor

riches) neither learning nor poer nor 6irt#e nor sex; !#t intr#de) and come again) and

go thro#gh and thro#gh <o# in a moment of time& What in#ndation of life and tho#ght

is discharged from one so#l into another) thro#gh them The glance is nat#ral magic&

The m<sterio#s comm#nication esta!lished across a ho#se !eteen to entire

strangers) mo6es all the springs of onder& $*( The comm#nication !< the glance is in

the greatest part not s#!Aect to the control of the ill& 9t is the !odil< s<m!ol of

identit< of nat#re& We look into the e<es to kno if this other form is another self) and

the e<es ill not lie) !#t make a faithf#l confession hat inha!itant is there& The

re6elations are sometimes terrific& The confession of a lo) #s#rping de6il is there

made) and the o!ser6er shall seem to feel the stirring of ols and !ats and horned

hoofs) here he looked for innocence and simplicit<& T is remarka!le too that thespirit that appears at the indos of the ho#se does at once in6est himself in a ne

form of his on to the mind of the !eholder&

The e<es of men con6erse as m#ch as their tong#es) ith the ad6antage that the oc#lar

5age *+,

dialect needs no dictionar<) !#t is #nderstood all the orld o6er& When the e<es sa<

one thing and the tong#e another) a practised man relies on the lang#age of the first& 9f

the man is off his centre) the e<es sho it& @o# can read in the e<es of <o#r

companion hether <o#r arg#ment hits him) tho#gh his tong#e ill not confess it&

There is a look !< hich a man shos he is going to sa< a good thing) and a lookhen he has said it& %ain and forgotten are all the fine offers and offices of hospitalit<)



if there is no holida< in the e<e& Ho man< f#rti6e inclinations a6oed !< the e<e)

tho#gh dissem!led !< the lips =ne comes aa< from a compan< in hich) it ma<

easil< happen) he has said nothing and no important remark has !een addressed to

him) and <et) if in s<mpath< ith the societ<) he shall not ha6e a sense of this fact)

s#ch a stream of life has !een floing into him and o#t from him thro#gh the e<es&

There are e<es) to !e s#re) that gi6e no more admission into the man than !l#e!erries&=thers are li#id and deep)ells that a man might fall into;others are aggressi6e

and de6o#ring) seem to call o#t the police) take all too m#ch notice) and re#ire

croded Broada<s and the sec#rit< of millions to protect indi6id#als against them&

5age *+*

The militar< e<e 9 meet) no darkl< sparkling #nder clerical) no #nder r#stic !ros&

T is the cit< of Lacedaemon; t is a stack of !a<onets& There are asking e<es) asserting

e<es) proling e<es; and e<es f#ll of fate)some of good and some of sinister omen&

The alleged poer to charm don insanit<) or ferocit< in !easts) is a poer !ehind the

e<e& 9t m#st !e a 6ictor< achie6ed in the ill) !efore it can !e signified in the e<e& 9t is

6er< certain that each man carries in his e<e the exact indication of his rank in the

immense scale of men) and e are ala<s learning to read it& 3 complete man sho#ldneed no a#xiliaries to his personal presence& Whoe6er looked on him o#ld consent

to his ill) !eing certified that his aims ere genero#s and #ni6ersal& The reason h<

men do not o!e< #s is !eca#se the< see the m#d at the !ottom of o#r e<e& $*(

9f the organ of sight is s#ch a 6ehicle of poer) the other feat#res ha6e their on& 3

man finds room in the fe s#are inches of the face for the traits of all his ancestors;

for the expression of all his histor< and his ants& The sc#lptor and Winckelmann and

La6ater ill tell <o# ho significant a feat#re is the nose; ho its forms express

strength or eakness of ill) and good

5age *+/

or !ad temper& $*( The nose of J#li#s Caesar) of Dante) and of 5itt) s#ggest Gthe terrors

of the !eak&G What refinement and hat limitations the teeth !etra< GBeare <o#

dont la#gh)G said the ise mother) Gfor then <o# sho all <o#r fa#lts&G

Bal?ac left in man#script a chapter hich he called GThorie de la dmarche)G in

hich he sa<s) GThe look) the 6oice) the respiration) and the attit#de or alk) are

identical& B#t) as it has not !een gi6en to man the poer to stand g#ard at once o6er

these fo#r different sim#ltaneo#s expressions of his tho#ght) atch that one hich

speaks o#t the tr#th) and <o# ill kno the hole man&G $/(

5alaces interest #s mainl< in the exhi!ition of manners) hich) in the idle and

expensi6e societ< delling in them) are raised to a high art& The maxim of co#rts is

that manner is poer& 3 calm and resol#te !earing) a polished speech) an

em!ellishment of trifles) and the art of hiding all #ncomforta!le feeling) are essential

to the co#rtier; and Saint Simon and Cardinal de Ret? and Roederer and an

enc<clopaedia of Mmoires ill instr#ct <o#) if <o# ish) in those potent secrets& $-(

Th#s it is a point of pride ith kings to remem!er faces and names& 9t is reported of

5age *+-

one prince that his head had the air of leaning donards) in order not to h#m!le the

crod& There are people ho come in e6er like a child ith a piece of good nes& 9tas said of the late Lord Holland that he ala<s came don to !reakfast ith the air



of a man ho had A#st met ith some signal good fort#ne& 9n 7tre Dame) the

grandee took his place on the dais ith the look of one ho is thinking of something

else& B#t e m#st not peep and ea6esdrop at palace doors&

:ine manners need the s#pport of fine manners in others& 3 scholar ma< !e a ell.

!red man) or he ma< not& The enth#siast is introd#ced to polished scholars in societ<and is chilled and silenced !< finding himself not in their element& The< all ha6e

somehat hich he has not) and) it seems) o#ght to ha6e& B#t if he finds the scholar

apart from his companions) it is then the enth#siasts t#rn) and the scholar has no

defence) !#t m#st deal on his terms& 7o the< m#st fight the !attle o#t on their

pri6ate strength& What is the talent of that character so commonthe s#ccessf#l man

of the orldin all marts) senates and draing.rooms $*( Manners" manners of

poer; sense to see his ad6antage) and manners #p to it& See him

5age *+0

approach his man& He knos that troops !eha6e as the< are handled at first; that is his

cheap secret; A#st hat happens to e6er< to persons ho meet on an< affair)oneinstantl< percei6es that he has the ke< of the sit#ation) that his ill comprehends the

others ill) as the cat does the mo#se; and he has onl< to #se co#rtes< and f#rnish

good.nat#red reasons to his 6ictim to co6er #p the chain) lest he !e shamed into

resistance&

The theatre in hich this science of manners has a formal importance is not ith #s a

co#rt) !#t dress.circles) herein) after the close of the da<s !#siness) men and omen

meet at leis#re) for m#t#al entertainment) in ornamented draing.rooms& =f co#rse it

has e6er< 6ariet< of attraction and merit; !#t to earnest persons) to <o#ths or maidens

ho ha6e great o!Aects at heart) e cannot extol it highl<& 3 ell.dressed talkati6e

compan< here each is !ent to am#se the other)<et the high.!orn T#rk ho came

hither fancied that e6er< oman seemed to !e s#ffering for a chair; that all the talkers

ere !rained and exha#sted !< the deox<genated air; it spoiled the !est persons; it p#t

all on stilts& @et here are the secret !iographies ritten and read& The aspect of that

man is rep#lsi6e;

5age *+F

9 do not ish to deal ith him& The other is irrita!le) sh< and on his g#ard& The <o#th

looks h#m!le and manl<; 9 choose him& Look on this oman& There is not !ea#t<) nor

!rilliant sa<ings) nor disting#ished poer to ser6e <o#; !#t all see her gladl<; her

hole air and impression are healthf#l& Here come the sentimentalists) and thein6alids& Here is Elise) ho ca#ght cold in coming into the orld and has ala<s

increased it since& Here are creep.mo#se manners) and thie6ish manners& GLook at

7orthcote)G said :#seli; $*( Ghe looks like a rat that has seen a cat&G 9n the shallo

compan<) easil< excited) easil< tired) here is the col#mnar Bernard; the 3lleghanies do

not express more repose than his !eha6ior& Here are the seet folloing e<es of

Cecile; it seemed ala<s that she demanded the heart& 7othing can !e more excellent

in kind than the Corinthian grace of >ertr#des manners) and <et Blanche) ho has no

manners) has !etter manners than she; for the mo6ements of Blanche are the sallies of

a spirit hich is s#fficient for the moment) and she can afford to express e6er<

tho#ght !< instant action&



Manners ha6e !een somehat c<nicall< defined to !e a contri6ance of ise men to

keep

5age *+'

fools at a distance& :ashion is shred to detect those ho do not !elong to her train)

and seldom astes her attentions& Societ< is 6er< sift in its instincts) and) if <o# donot !elong to it) resists and sneers at <o#) or #ietl< drops <o#& The first eapon

enrages the part< attacked; the second is still more effecti6e) !#t is not to !e resisted)

as the date of the transaction is not easil< fo#nd& 5eople gro #p and gro old #nder

this infliction) and ne6er s#spect the tr#th) ascri!ing the solit#de hich acts on them

6er< inA#rio#sl< to an< ca#se !#t the right one&

The !asis of good manners is self.reliance& 7ecessit< is the la of all ho are not

self.possessed& Those ho are not self.possessed o!tr#de and pain #s& Some men

appear to feel that the< !elong to a 5ariah caste& The< fear to offend) the< !end and

apologi?e) and alk thro#gh life ith a timid step& 3s e sometimes dream that e

are in a ell.dressed compan< itho#t an< coat) so >odfre< acts e6er as if he s#fferedfrom some mortif<ing circ#mstance& The hero sho#ld find himself at home) here6er

he is; sho#ld impart comfort !< his on sec#rit< and good nat#re to all !eholders& The

hero is s#ffered to !e himself& 3 person of strong mind comes to percei6e that for him

an

5age *+K

imm#nit< is sec#red so long as he renders to societ< that ser6ice hich is nati6e and

proper to him)an imm#nit< from all the o!ser6ances) <ea) and d#ties) hich societ<

so t<rannicall< imposes on the rank and file of its mem!ers& GE#ripides)G sa<s

3spasia) Ghas not the fine manners of Sophocles; !#t)G she adds good.h#moredl<) Gthe

mo6ers and masters of o#r so#ls ha6e s#rel< a right to thro o#t their lim!s as

carelessl< as the< please) on the orld that !elongs to them) and !efore the creat#res

the< ha6e animated&G $*(

Manners re#ire time) as nothing is more 6#lgar than haste& :riendship sho#ld !e

s#rro#nded ith ceremonies and respects) and not cr#shed into corners& :riendship

re#ires more time than poor !#s< men can #s#all< command& Here comes to me

Roland) ith a delicac< of sentiment leading and enrapping him like a di6ine clo#d

or hol< ghost& T is a great destit#tion to !oth that this sho#ld not !e entertained ith

large leis#res) !#t contrariise sho#ld !e !alked !< import#nate affairs&

B#t thro#gh this l#stro#s 6arnish the realit< is e6er shining& T is hard to keep the hat

from !reaking thro#gh this prett< painting of the ho& The core ill come to the

s#rface&

5age *++

Strong ill and keen perception o6erpoer old manners and create ne; and the

tho#ght of the present moment has a greater 6al#e than all the past& 9n persons of

character e do not remark manners) !eca#se of their instantaneo#sness& We are

s#rprised !< the thing done) o#t of all poer to atch the a< of it& @et nothing is

more charming than to recogni?e the great st<le hich r#ns thro#gh the actions of

s#ch& 5eople mas#erade !efore #s in their fort#nes) titles) offices) and connections) asacademic or ci6il presidents) or senators) or professors) or great la<ers) and impose



on the fri6olo#s) and a good deal on each other) !< these fames& 3t least it is a point of

pr#dent good manners to treat these rep#tations tenderl<) as if the< ere merited& B#t

the sad realist knos these fellos at a glance) and the< kno him; as hen in 5aris

the chief of the police enters a !all.room) so man< diamonded pretenders shrink and

make themsel6es as inconspic#o#s as the< can) or gi6e him a s#pplicating look as

the< pass& G9 had recei6ed)G said a si!<l) G9 had recei6ed at !irth the fatal gift of penetration;G and these Cassandras are ala<s !orn& $*(

Manners impress as the< indicate real poer& 3 man ho is s#re of his point) carries a

!road

5age *+1

and contented expression) hich e6er<!od< reads& 3nd <o# cannot rightl< train one to

an air and manner) except !< making him the kind of man of hom that manner is the

nat#ral expression& 7at#re fore6er p#ts a premi#m on realit<& What is done for effect

is seen to !e done for effect; hat is done for lo6e is felt to !e done for lo6e& 3 man

inspires affection and honor !eca#se he as not l<ing in ait for these& $*( The thingsof a man for hich e 6isit him ere done in the dark and cold& 3 little integrit< is

!etter than an< career& So deep are the so#rces of this s#rface.action that e6en the si?e

of <o#r companion seems to 6ar< ith his freedom of tho#ght& 7ot onl< is he larger)

hen at ease and his tho#ghts genero#s) !#t e6er<thing aro#nd him !ecomes 6aria!le

ith expression& 7o carpenters r#le) no rod and chain ill meas#re the dimensions of

an< ho#se or ho#se.lot; go into the ho#se; if the proprietor is constrained and

deferring) t is of no importance ho large his ho#se) ho !ea#tif#l his gro#nds)<o#

#ickl< come to the end of all" !#t if the man is self.possessed) happ< and at home)

his ho#se is deep.fo#nded) indefinitel< large and interesting) the roof and dome

!#o<ant as the sk<& Under the h#m!lest roof) the

5age *1,

commonest person in plain clothes sits there massi6e) cheerf#l) <et formida!le) like

the Eg<ptian colossi&

7either 3ristotle) nor Lei!nit?) nor J#ni#s) nor Champollion $*( has set don the

grammar.r#les of this dialect) older than Sanscrit; !#t the< ho cannot <et read

English) can read this& Men take each others meas#re) hen the< meet for the first

time)and e6er< time the< meet& Ho do the< get this rapid knoledge) e6en !efore

the< speak) of each others poer and disposition =ne o#ld sa< that the pers#asion

of their speech is not in hat the< sa<)or that men do not con6ince !< their

arg#ment) !#t !< their personalit<) !< ho the< are) and hat the< said and didheretofore& 3 man alread< strong is listened to) and e6er<thing he sa<s is appla#ded&

3nother opposes him ith so#nd arg#ment) !#t the arg#ment is sco#ted #ntil !< and

!< it gets into the mind of some eight< person; then it !egins to tell on the

comm#nit<&

Self.reliance is the !asis of !eha6ior) as it is the g#arant< that the poers are not

s#andered in too m#ch demonstration& 9n this co#ntr<) here school ed#cation is

#ni6ersal) e ha6e a s#perficial c#lt#re) and a prof#sion of reading

5age *1*

and riting and expression& We parade o#r no!ilities in poems and orations) instead of orking them #p into happiness& There is a hisper o#t of the ages to him ho can



#nderstand it)GWhate6er is knon to th<self alone) has ala<s 6er< great 6al#e&G

There is some reason to !elie6e that hen a man does not rite his poetr< it escapes

!< other 6ents thro#gh him) instead of the one 6ent of riting; clings to his form and

manners) hilst poets ha6e often nothing poetical a!o#t them except their 6erses&

Jaco!i said that Ghen a man has f#ll< expressed his tho#ght) he has somehat less

possession of it&G $*( =ne o#ld sa<) the r#le is)What man is irresisti!l< #rged tosa<) helps him and #s& 9n explaining his tho#ght to others) he explains it to himself)

!#t hen he opens it for sho) it corr#pts him&

Societ< is the stage on hich manners are shon; no6els are the literat#re& 7o6els are

the Ao#rnal or record of manners) and the ne importance of these !ooks deri6es from

the fact that the no6elist !egins to penetrate the s#rface and treat this part of life more

orthil<& The no6els #sed to !e all alike) and had a #ite 6#lgar tone& The no6els #sed

to lead #s on to a foolish interest in the fort#nes of the !o< and

5age *1/

girl the< descri!ed& The !o< as to !e raised from a h#m!le to a high position& Heas in ant of a ife and a castle) and the o!Aect of the stor< as to s#ppl< him ith

one or !oth& We atched s<mpatheticall<) step !< step) his clim!ing) #ntil at last the

point is gained) the edding da< is fixed) and e follo the gala procession home to

the !annered portal) hen the doors are slammed in o#r face and the poor reader is

left o#tside in the cold) not enriched !< so m#ch as an idea or a 6irt#o#s imp#lse&

B#t the 6ictories of character are instant) and 6ictories for all& 9ts greatness enlarges

all& We are fortified !< e6er< heroic anecdote& The no6els are as #sef#l as Bi!les if

the< teach <o# the secret that the !est of life is con6ersation) and the greatest s#ccess

is confidence) or perfect #nderstanding !eteen sincere people& T is a :rench

definition of friendship) rien #e s entendre) good #nderstanding& The highest

compact e can make ith o#r fello) is)Let there !e tr#th !eteen #s to

fore6ermore& That is the charm in all good no6els) as it is the charm in all good

histories) that the heroes m#t#all< #nderstand) from the first) and deal lo<all< and ith

a profo#nd tr#st in each other& 9t is s#!lime to feel and sa< of another) 9 need

5age *1-

ne6er meet or speak or rite to him; e need not reinforce o#rsel6es) or send tokens

of remem!rance; 9 rel< on him as on m<self; if he did th#s or th#s) 9 kno it as

right&

9n all the s#perior people 9 ha6e meet 9 notice directness) tr#th spoken more tr#l<) as if

e6er<thing of o!str#ction) of malformation) had !een trained aa<& What ha6e the< to

conceal What ha6e the< to exhi!it Beteen simple and no!le persons there is

ala<s a #ick intelligence; the< recogni?e at sight) and meet on a !etter gro#nd than

the talents and skills the< ma< chance to possess) namel< on sincerit< and #prightness&

:or it is not hat talents or geni#s a man has) !#t ho he is to his talents) that

constit#tes friendship and character& The man that stands !< himself) the #ni6erse

stands !< him also& 9t is related !< the monk Basle) that !eing excomm#nicated !< the

5ope) he as) at his death) sent in charge of an angel to find a fit place of s#ffering in

hell; !#t s#ch as the elo#ence and good h#mor of the monk) that here6er he ent

he as recei6ed gladl< and ci6ill< treated e6en !< the most #nci6il angels; and hen



he came to disco#rse ith them) instead of contradicting or forcing him) the< took his

part) and adopted his manners; and e6en

5age *10

good angels came from far to see him and take #p their a!ode ith him& The angel

that as sent to find a place of torment for him attempted to remo6e him to a orse pit) !#t ith no !etter s#ccess; for s#ch as the contented spirit of the monk that he

fo#nd something to praise in e6er< place and compan<) tho#gh in hell) and made a

kind of hea6en of it& 3t last the escorting angel ret#rned ith his prisoner to them that

sent him) sa<ing that no phlegethon co#ld !e fo#nd that o#ld !#rn him; for that in

hate6er condition) Basle remained incorrigi!l< Basle& The legend sa<s his sentence

as remitted) and he as alloed to go into hea6en and as canoni?ed as a saint&

There is a stroke of magnanimit< in the correspondence of Bonaparte ith his !rother

Joseph) hen the latter as Iing of Spain) and complained that he missed in

7apoleons letters the affectionate tone hich had marked their childish

correspondence& G9 am sorr<)G replies 7apoleon) G<o# think <o# shall find <o#r !rother again onl< in the El<sian :ields& 9t is nat#ral that at fort< he sho#ld not feel

toard <o# as he did at tel6e& B#t his feelings toard <o# ha6e greater tr#th and

strength& His friendship has the feat#res of his mind&G

5age *1F

Ho m#ch e forgi6e to those ho <ield #s the rare spectacle of heroic manners $*(

We ill pardon them the ant of !ooks) of arts) and e6en of the gentler 6irt#es& Ho

tenacio#sl< e remem!er them Here is a lesson hich 9 !ro#ght along ith me in

!o<hood from the Latin School) and hich ranks ith the !est of Roman anecdotes&

Marc#s Sca#r#s as acc#sed !< #int#s %ari#s Hispan#s) that he had excited the

allies to take arms against the Rep#!lic& B#t he) f#ll of firmness and gra6it<) defended

himself in this manner"G#int#s %ari#s Hispan#s alleges that Marc#s Sca#r#s)

5resident of the Senate) excited the allies to arms" Marc#s Sca#r#s) 5resident of the

Senate) denies it& There is no itness& Which do <o# !elie6e) RomansG GUtri creditis)

#iritesG When he had said these ords he as a!sol6ed !< the assem!l< of the

people&

9 ha6e seen manners that make a similar impression ith personal !ea#t<; that gi6e

the like exhilaration) and refine #s like that; and in memora!le experiences the< are

s#ddenl< !etter than !ea#t<) and make that s#perfl#o#s and #gl<& B#t the< m#st !emarked !< fine perception) the ac#aintance ith real !ea#t<& The< m#st ala<s sho

self.control; <o# shall not !e facile)

5age *1'

apologetic) or leak<) !#t king o6er <o#r ord; and e6er< gest#re and action shall

indicate poer at rest& $*( Then the< m#st !e inspired !< the good heart& There is no

!ea#tifier of complexion) or form) or !eha6ior) like the ish to scatter Ao< and not

pain aro#nd #s& 9t is good to gi6e a stranger a meal) or a nights lodging& 9t is !etter to

!e hospita!le to his good meaning and tho#ght) and gi6e co#rage to a companion& $/(

We m#st !e as co#rteo#s to a man as e are to a pict#re) hich e are illing to gi6e

the ad6antage of a good light& Special precepts are not to !e tho#ght of; the talent ofell.doing contains them all& E6er< ho#r ill sho a d#t< as paramo#nt as that of m<



him A#st no) and <et 9 ill rite it)that there is one topic peremptoril< for!idden

to all ell.!red) to all rational mortals) namel<) their distempers& 9f <o# ha6e not slept)

or if <o# ha6e slept) or if <o# ha6e headache) or sciatica) or lepros<) or th#nderstroke)

9 !eseech <o# !< all angels to hold <o#r peace) and not poll#te the morning) to hich

all the ho#semates !ring serene and pleasant tho#ghts) !< corr#ption and groans&

Come o#t of the a?#re& Lo6e the da<& Do not lea6e the sk< o#t of <o#r landscape& Theoldest and the most deser6ing person sho#ld come

5age *1K

6er< modestl< into an< nel< aaked compan<) respecting the di6ine

comm#nications o#t of hich all m#st !e pres#med to ha6e nel< come& 3n old man

ho added an ele6ating c#lt#re to a large experience of life) said to me) GWhen <o#

come into the room) 9 think 9 ill st#d< ho to make h#manit< !ea#tif#l to <o#&G $*(

3s respects the delicate #estion of c#lt#re 9 do not think that an< other than negati6e

r#les can !e laid don& :or positi6e r#les) for s#ggestion) nat#re alone inspires it& $/(

Who dare ass#me to g#ide a <o#th) a maid) to perfect manners the golden mean is so

delicate) diffic#lt)sa< frankl<) #nattaina!le& What finest hands o#ld not !e cl#ms<to sketch the genial precepts of the <o#ng girls demeanor The chances seem infinite

against s#ccess; and <et s#ccess is contin#all< attained& There m#st not !e

secondariness) and t is a tho#sand to one that her air and manner ill at once !etra<

that she is not primar<) !#t that there is some other one or man< of her class to hom

she ha!it#all< postpones herself& B#t nat#re lifts her easil< and itho#t knoing it

o6er these impossi!ilities) and e are contin#all< s#rprised ith graces and felicities

not onl< #nteacha!le !#t #ndescri!a!le& $-(

5age $#nn#m!ered(


5oered !< DLS








5age $#nn#m!ered(

%9& W=RSH95

TH9S is he) ho) felled !< foes)Spr#ng harmless #p) refreshed !< !los"



He to capti6it< as sold)

B#t him no prison.!ars o#ld hold"

Tho#gh the< sealed him in a rock)

Mo#ntain chains he can #nlock"

Thron to lions for their meat)

The cro#ching lion kissed his feet"Bo#nd to the stake) no flames appalled)

B#t arched oer him an honoring 6a#lt&

This is he men miscall :ate)

Threading dark a<s) arri6ing late)

B#t e6er coming in time to cron

The tr#th) and h#rl rongdoers don&

He is the oldest) and !est knon)

More near than a#ght tho# callst th< on)

@et greeted in anothers e<es)

Disconcerts ith glad s#rprise&

This is Jo6e) ho) deaf to pra<ers):loods ith !lessings #naares&

Dra) if tho# canst) the m<stic line)

Se6ering rightl< his from thine)

Which is h#man) hich di6ine&

5age $#nn#m!ered(

5age $#nn#m!ered(

W=RSH95

S=ME of m< friends ha6e complained) hen the preceding papers ere read) that e

disc#ssed :ate) 5oer and Wealth on too lo a platform; ga6e too m#ch line to the

e6il spirit of the times; too man< cakes to Cer!er#s; that e ran C#dorths risk of

making) !< excess of candor) the arg#ment of atheism so strong that he co#ld not

anser it& $*( 9 ha6e no fears of !eing forced in m< on despite to pla< as e sa< the

de6ils attorne<& 9 ha6e no infirmit< of faith; no !elief that it is of m#ch importance

hat 9 or an< man ma< sa<" 9 am s#re that a certain tr#th ill !e said thro#gh me)

tho#gh 9 sho#ld !e d#m!) or tho#gh 9 sho#ld tr< to sa< the re6erse& 7or do 9 fear

skepticism for an< good so#l& 3 A#st thinker ill allo f#ll sing to his skepticism& 9

dip m< pen in the !lackest ink) !eca#se 9 am not afraid of falling into m< inkpot& 9

ha6e no s<mpath< ith a poor man 9 kne) ho) hen s#icides a!o#nded) told me he

dared not look at his ra?or& We are of different opinions at different ho#rs) !#t e

ala<s ma< !e said to !e at heart on the side of tr#th&

5age /,/

9 see not h< e sho#ld gi6e o#rsel6es s#ch sanctified airs& 9f the Di6ine 5ro6idence

has hid from men neither disease nor deformit< nor corr#pt societ<) !#t has stated

itself o#t in passions) in ar) in trade) in the lo6e of poer and pleas#re) in h#nger and

need) in t<rannies) literat#res and arts)let #s not !e so nice that e cannot rite

these facts don coarsel< as the< stand) or do#!t !#t there is a co#nter.statement as

pondero#s) hich e can arri6e at) and hich) !eing p#t) ill make all s#are& The

solar s<stem has no anxiet< a!o#t its rep#tation) and the credit of tr#th and honest< is

as safe; $*( nor ha6e 9 an< fear that a skeptical !ias can !e gi6en !< leaning hard on

the sides of fate) of practical poer) or of trade) hich the doctrine of :aith cannotdon.eigh& The strength of that principle is not meas#red in o#nces and po#nds; it



t<ranni?es at the centre of nat#re& We ma< ell gi6e skepticism as m#ch line as e

can& The spirit ill ret#rn and fill #s& 9t dri6es the dri6ers& 9t co#nter!alances an<

acc#m#lations of poer"

GHea6en kindl< ga6e o#r !lood a moral flo&G $/(

We are !orn lo<al& The hole creation is made of hooks and e<es) of !it#men) of

sticking.plaster; and hether <o#r comm#nit< is made5age /,-

in Jer#salem or in California) of saints or of reckers) it coheres in a perfect !all& $*(

Men as nat#rall< make a state) or a ch#rch) as caterpillars a e!& 9f the< ere more

refined) it o#ld !e less formal) it o#ld !e ner6o#s) like that of the Shakers) ho)

from long ha!it of thinking and feeling together) it is said are affected in the same

a<) at the same time) to ork and to pla<; and as the< go ith perfect s<mpath< to

their tasks in the field or shop) so are the< inclined for a ride or a Ao#rne< at the same

instant) and the horses come #p ith the famil< carriage #n!espoken to the door& $/(

We are !orn !elie6ing& 3 man !ears !eliefs as a tree !ears apples& 3 self.poise !elongs

to e6er< particle) and a rectit#de to e6er< mind) and is the 7emesis and protector ofe6er< societ<& 9 and m< neigh!ors ha6e !een !red in the notion that #nless e came

soon to some good ch#rch)Cal6inism) or Behmenism) or Romanism) or

Mormonism)there o#ld !e a #ni6ersal tha and dissol#tion& 7o 9saiah or Jerem<

has arri6ed& 7othing can exceed the anarch< that has folloed in o#r skies& The stern

old faiths ha6e all p#l6eri?ed& T is a hole pop#lation of gentlemen and ladies o#t in

search of religions& T is as flat anarch< in

5age /,0

o#r ecclesiastic realms as that hich existed in Massach#setts in the Re6ol#tion) or

hich pre6ails no on the slope of the Rock< Mo#ntains or 5ikes 5eak& @et e make

shift to li6e& Men are lo<al& 7at#re has self.poise in all her orks; certain proportions

in hich ox<gen and a?ote com!ine) and not less a harmon< in fac#lties) a fitness in

the spring and the reg#lator& The decline of the infl#ence of Cal6in) or :nelon) or

Wesle<) or Channing) need gi6e #s no #neasiness& The !#ilder of hea6en has not so ill

constr#cted his creat#re as that the religion) that is) the p#!lic nat#re) sho#ld fall o#t"

the p#!lic and the pri6ate element) like north and so#th) like inside and o#tside) like

centrif#gal and centripetal) adhere to e6er< so#l) and cannot !e s#!d#ed except the

so#l is dissipated& >od !#ilds his temple in the heart on the r#ins of ch#rches and

religions& $*(

9n the last chapters e treated some partic#lars of the #estion of c#lt#re& B#t thehole state of man is a state of c#lt#re; and its floering and completion ma< !e

descri!ed as Religion) or Worship& There is ala<s some religion) some hope and fear

extended into the in6isi!le)from the !lind !oding hich nails a horseshoe to the

mast or the threshold) #p to

5age /,F

the song of the Elders in the 3pocal<pse& B#t the religion cannot rise a!o6e the state

of the 6otar<& Hea6en ala<s !ears some proportion to earth& The god of the canni!als

ill !e a canni!al) of the cr#saders a cr#sader) and of the merchants a merchant& 9n all

ages) so#ls o#t of time) extraordinar<) prophetic) are !orn) ho are rather related to

the s<stem of the orld than to their partic#lar age and localit<& These anno#ncea!sol#te tr#ths) hich) ith hate6er re6erence recei6ed) are speedil< dragged don



into a sa6age interpretation& The interior tri!es of o#r 9ndians and some of the 5acific

islanders flog their gods hen things taken an #nfa6ora!le t#rn& The >reek poets did

not hesitate to let loose their pet#lant it on their deities also& Laomedon) in his anger

at 7ept#ne and 3pollo) ho had !#ilt Tro< for him and demanded their price) does

not hesitate to menace them that he ill c#t their ears off& $*( 3mong o#r 7orse

forefathers) Iing =lafs mode of con6erting E<6ind to Christianit< as to p#t a pan of gloing coals on his !ell<) hich !#rst as#nder& GWilt tho# no) E<6ind) !elie6e in

ChristG asks =laf) in excellent faith& 3nother arg#ment as an adder p#t into the

mo#th of the rel#ctant disciple Ra#d) ho ref#sed to !elie6e& $/(

5age /,'

Christianit<) in the romantic ages) signified E#ropean c#lt#re)the grafted or

meliorated tree in a cra! forest& 3nd to marr< a pagan ife or h#s!and as to marr<

Beast) and 6ol#ntaril< to take a step !ackards toards the !a!oon"

GHengist had 6erament

3 da#ghter !oth fair and gent)B#t she as heathen Sara?ine)

3nd %ortigern for lo6e fine

Her took to fere and to ife)

3nd as c#rsed in all his life;

:or he let Christian ed heathen)

3nd mixed o#r !lood as flesh and mathen&G $*(

What >othic mixt#res the Christian creed dre from the pagan so#rces) Richard of

De6i?es chronicle of Richard 9& s cr#sade) in the telfth cent#r<) ma< sho& Iing

Richard ta#nts >od ith forsaking him& G= fie = ho #nilling sho#ld 9 !e to

forsake thee) in so forlorn and dreadf#l a position) ere 9 th< lord and ad6ocate) as

tho# art mine& 9n sooth) m< standards ill in f#t#re !e despised) not thro#gh m< fa#lt)

!#t thro#gh thine" in sooth not thro#gh an< coardice of m< arfare art tho# th<self)

m< king and m< >od) con#ered this da<) and not Richard th< 6assal&G The religion of

the earl<

5age /,K

English poets is anomalo#s) so de6o#t and so !lasphemo#s) in the same !reath& S#ch

is Cha#cers extraordinar< conf#sion of hea6en and earth in the pict#re of Dido"

GShe as so fair)

So <o#ng) so l#st<) ith her e<en glad)

That if that >od that hea6en and earthe made

Wo#ld ha6e a lo6e for !ea#t< and goodness)3nd omanhede) tr#th) and seemliness)

Whom sho#ld he lo6en !#t this lad< seet

There n is no oman to him half so meet&G $*(

With these grossnesses) e complacentl< compare o#r on taste and decor#m& We

think and speak ith more temperance and gradation)!#t is not indifferentism as

!ad as s#perstition

We li6e in a transition period) hen the old faiths hich comforted nations) and not

onl< so !#t made nations) seem to ha6e spent their force& 9 do not find the religions of

men at this moment 6er< credita!le to them) !#t either childish and insignificant or#nmanl< and effeminating& $/( The fatal trait is the di6orce !eteen religion and



moralit<& Here are kno.nothing religions) or ch#rches that proscri!e intellect;

scortator< religions; $-( sla6e.holding and sla6e.trading religions; and) e6en in the

decent pop#lations)

5age /,+

idolatries herein the hiteness of the rit#al co6ers scarlet ind#lgence& The lo6er ofthe old religion complains that o#r contemporaries) scholars as ell as merchants)

s#cc#m! to a great despair)ha6e corr#pted into a timoro#s conser6atism and !elie6e

in nothing& 9n o#r large cities the pop#lation is godless) materiali?ed)no !ond) no

fello.feeling) no enth#siasm& These are not men) !#t h#ngers) thirsts) fe6ers and

appetites alking& Ho is it people manage to li6e on)so aimless as the< are 3fter

their pepper.corn aims are gained) it seems as if the lime in their !ones alone held

them together) and not an< orth< p#rpose& There is no faith in the intellect#al) none

in the moral #ni6erse& There is faith in chemistr<) in meat and ine) in ealth) in

machiner<) in the steam.engine) gal6anic !atter<) t#r!ine.heels) seing.machines)

and in p#!lic opinion) !#t not in di6ine ca#ses& 3 silent re6ol#tion has loosed the

tension of the old religio#s sects) and in place of the gra6it< and permanence of thosesocieties of opinion) the< r#n into freak and extra6agance& 9n creeds ne6er as s#ch

le6it<; itness the heathenisms in Christianit<) the periodic Gre6i6als)G the Millenni#m

mathematics) the peacock rit#alism) the retrogression to 5oper<) the ma#ndering of

5age /,1

Mormons) the s#alor of Mesmerism) the deliration of rappings) the rat and mo#se

re6elation) th#mps in ta!le.draers) and !lack art& $*( The architect#re) the m#sic) the

pra<er) partake of the madness; the arts sink into shift and make.!elie6e& 7ot knoing

hat to do) e ape o#r ancestors; the ch#rches stagger !ackard to the m#mmeries of

the Dark 3ges& B< the irresisti!le mat#ring of the general mind) the Christian

traditions ha6e lost their hold& The dogma of the m<stic offices of Christ !eing

dropped) and he standing on his geni#s as a moral teacher) it is impossi!le to maintain

the old emphasis of his personalit<; and it recedes) as all persons m#st) !efore the

s#!limit< of the moral las& :rom this change) and in the momentar< a!sence of an<

religio#s geni#s that co#ld offset the immense material acti6it<) there is a feeling that

religion is gone& When 5a#l Lero#x offered his article GDie#G to the cond#ctor of a

leading :rench Ao#rnal) he replied) GLa #estion de Die# man#e d act#alit&G 9n 9tal<)

Mr& >ladstone said of the late Iing of 7aples) G9t has !een a pro6er! that he has

erected the negation of >od into a s<stem of go6ernment&G 9n this co#ntr< the like

st#pefaction as in the air) and the phrase Ghigher laG !ecame a political gi!e& $/(

5age /*,

What proof of infidelit< like the toleration and propagandism of sla6er< What) likethe direction of ed#cation What) like the facilit< of con6ersion What) like the

externalit< of ch#rches that once s#cked the roots of right and rong) and no ha6e

perished aa< till the< are a speck of hiteash on the all What proof of

skepticism like the !ase rate at hich the highest mental and moral gifts are held Let

a man attain the highest and !roadest c#lt#re that an< 3merican has possessed) then

let him die !< sea.storm) railroad collision) or other accident) and all 3merica ill

ac#iesce that the !est thing has happened to him; that) after the ed#cation has gone

far) s#ch is the expensi6eness of 3merica that the !est #se to p#t a fine person to is to

dron him to sa6e his !oard&

3nother scar of this skepticism is the distr#st in h#man 6irt#e& 9t is !elie6ed !< ell.dressed proprietors that there is no more 6irt#e than the< possess; that the solid



portion of societ< exist for the arts of comfort; that life is an affair to p#t somehat

!eteen the #pper and loer mandi!les& Ho prompt the s#ggestion of a lo moti6e

Certain patriots in England de6oted themsel6es for <ears to creating a p#!lic opinion

that sho#ld !reak don the corn.las

5age /**and esta!lish free trade& Well) sa<s the man in the street) Co!den got a stipend o#t of

it& Ioss#th fled hither across the ocean to tr< if he co#ld ro#se the 7e World to a

s<mpath< ith E#ropean li!ert<& 3<) sa<s 7e @ork) he made a handsome thing of

it) eno#gh to make him comforta!le for life&

See hat alloance 6ice finds in the respecta!le and ell.conditioned class& 9f a

pickpocket intr#de into the societ< of gentlemen) the< exert hat moral force the<

ha6e) and he finds himself #ncomforta!le and glad to get aa<& B#t if an ad6ent#rer

go thro#gh all the forms) proc#re himself to !e elected to a post of tr#st) as of senator

or president) tho#gh !< the same arts as e detest in the ho#se.thief)the same

gentlemen ho agree to disco#ntenance the pri6ate rog#e ill !e forard to shoci6ilities and marks of respect to the p#!lic one; and no amo#nt of e6idence of his

crimes ill pre6ent them gi6ing him o6ations) complimentar< dinners) opening their

on ho#ses to him and priding themsel6es on his ac#aintance& We ere not decei6ed

!< the professions of the pri6ate ad6ent#rer)the lo#der he talked of his honor) the

faster e co#nted o#r spoons; !#t e appeal to the sanctified pream!le of the

5age /*/

messages and proclamations of the p#!lic sinner) as the proof of sincerit<& $*( 9t m#st

!e that the< ho pa< this homage ha6e said to themsel6es) =n the hole) e dont

kno a!o#t this that <o# call honest<; a !ird in the hand is !etter&

E6en ell.disposed) good sort of people are to#ched ith the same infidelit<) and) for

!ra6e) straightforard action) #se half.meas#res and compromises& :orgetf#l that a

little meas#re is a great error) forgetf#l that a ise mechanic #ses a sharp tool) the< go

on choosing the dead men of ro#tine& B#t the official men can in no ise help <o# in

an< #estion of to.da<) the< deri6ing entirel< from the old dead things& =nl< those can

help in co#nsel or cond#ct ho did not make a part< pledge to defend this or that) !#t

ho ere appointed !< >od 3lmight<) !efore the< came into the orld) to stand for

this hich the< #phold&

9t has !een charged that a ant of sincerit< in the leading men is a 6ice generalthro#gho#t 3merican societ<& B#t the m#ltit#de of the sick shall not make #s den< the

existence of health& 9n spite of o#r im!ecilit< and terrors) and G#ni6ersal deca< of

religion)G etc&) etc&) the moral sense reappears to.da< ith the same morning neness

that has !een from of old the

5age /*-

fo#ntain of !ea#t< and strength& @o# sa< there is no religion no& T is like sa<ing in

rain< eather) There is no s#n) hen at that moment e are itnessing one of his

s#perlati6e effects& $*( The religion of the c#lti6ated class no) to !e s#re) consists in

an a6oidance of acts and engagements hich it as once their religion to ass#me& B#t

this a6oidance ill <ield spontaneo#s forms in their d#e ho#r& There is a principlehich is the !asis of things) hich all speech aims to sa<) and all action to e6ol6e) a



simple) #iet) #ndescri!ed) #ndescri!a!le presence) delling 6er< peacef#ll< in #s)

o#r rightf#l lord" e are not to do) !#t to let do; not to ork) !#t to !e orked #pon;

and to this homage there is a consent of all tho#ghtf#l and A#st men in all ages and

conditions& To this sentiment !elong 6ast and s#dden enlargements of poer& $/( T is

remarka!le that o#r faith in ecstas< consists ith total inexperience of it& 9t is the

order of the orld to ed#cate ith acc#rac< the senses and the #nderstanding; and theenginer< at ork to dra o#t these poers in priorit<) no do#!t has its office& B#t e

are ne6er itho#t a hint that these poers are mediate and ser6ile) and that e are one

da< to deal ith real !eing)essences ith essences&

5age /*0

E6en the f#r< of material acti6it< has some res#lts friendl< to moral health& The

energetic action of the times de6elops indi6id#alism) and the religio#s appear isolated&

9 esteem this a step in the right direction& Hea6en deals ith #s on no representati6e

s<stem& So#ls are not sa6ed in !#ndles& The Spirit saith to the man) Ho is it ith

thee thee personall< is it ell is it ill :or a great nat#re it is a happiness to escape

a religio#s training)religion of character is so apt to !e in6aded& Religion m#st

ala<s !e a cra! fr#it; it cannot !e grafted and keep its ild !ea#t<& G9 ha6e seen)Gsaid a tra6eller ho had knon the extremes of societ<) G9 ha6e seen h#man nat#re in

all its forms; it is e6er<here the same) !#t the ilder it is) the more 6irt#o#s&G

We sa< the old forms of religion deca<) and that a skepticism de6astates the

comm#nit<& 9 do not think it can !e c#red or sta<ed !< an< modification of theologic

creeds) m#ch less !< theologic discipline& The c#re for false theolog< is mother.it&

:orget <o#r !ooks and traditions) and o!e< <o#r moral perceptions at this ho#r& $*(

That hich is signified !< the ords GmoralG and Gspirit#al)G is a lasting essence) and)

ith hate6er ill#sions e ha6e loaded

5age /*F

them) ill certainl< !ring !ack the ords) age after age) to their ancient meaning& 9

kno no ords that mean so m#ch& 9n o#r definitions e grope after the spirit#al !<

descri!ing it as in6isi!le& The tr#e meaning of spirit#al is real; that la hich

exec#tes itself) hich orks itho#t means) and hich cannot !e concei6ed as not

existing& Men talk of Gmere moralit<Ghich is m#ch as if one sho#ld sa<) 5oor

>od) ith no!od< to help him& $*( 9 find the omnipresence and the almightiness in the

reaction of e6er< atom in nat#re& 9 can !est indicate !< examples those reactions !<

hich e6er< part of nat#re replies to the p#rpose of the actor)!eneficentl< to the

good) penall< to the !ad& Let #s replace sentimentalism !< realism) and dare to

#nco6er those simple and terri!le las hich) !e the< seen or #nseen) per6ade andgo6ern& $/(

E6er< man takes care that his neigh!or shall not cheat him& B#t a da< comes hen he

!egins to care that he do not cheat his neigh!or& Then all goes ell& He has changed

his market.cart into a chariot of the s#n& What a da< dans hen e ha6e taken to

heart the doctrine of faith to prefer) as a !etter in6estment) !eing to doing; !eing to

seeming; logic

5age /*'

to rh<thm and to displa<; the <ear to the da<; the life to the <ear; character to

performance;and ha6e come to kno that A#stice ill !e done #s; and if o#r geni#sis slo) the term ill !e long&



9t is certain that orship stands in some commanding relation to the health of man and

to his highest poers) so as to !e in some manner the so#rce of intellect& 3ll the great

ages ha6e !een ages of !elief& $*( 9 mean) hen there as an< extraordinar< poer of

performance) hen great national mo6ements !egan) hen arts appeared) hen

heroes existed) hen poems ere made)the h#man so#l as in earnest) and hadfixed its tho#ghts on spirit#al 6erities ith as strict a grasp as that of the hands on the

sord) or the pencil) or the troel& 9t is tr#e that geni#s takes its rise o#t of the

mo#ntains of rectit#de; that all !ea#t< and poer hich men co6et are someho !orn

o#t of that 3lpine district; that an< extraordinar< degree of !ea#t< in man or oman

in6ol6es a moral charm& Th#s 9 think e 6er< slol< admit in another man a higher

degree of moral sentiment than o#r on)a finer conscience) more impressiona!le or

hich marks min#ter degrees; an ear to hear ac#ter notes of right and rong than e

can& 9 think

5age /*K

e listen s#spicio#sl< and 6er< slol< to an< e6idence to that point& B#t) oncesatisfied of s#ch s#periorit<) e set no limit to o#r expectation of his geni#s& :or s#ch

persons are nearer to the secret of >od than others; are !athed !< seeter aters; the<

hear notices) the< see 6isions) here others are 6acant& $*( We !elie6e that holiness

confers a certain insight) !eca#se not !< o#r pri6ate !#t !< o#r p#!lic force can e

share and kno the nat#re of things&

There is an intimate interdependence of intellect and morals& >i6en the e#alit< of

to intellects)hich ill form the most relia!le A#dgments) the good) or the !ad

hearted GThe heart has its arg#ments) ith hich the #nderstanding is not

ac#ainted&G :or the heart is at once aare of the state of health or disease) hich is

the controlling state) that is) of sanit< or of insanit<; prior of co#rse to all #estion of

the ingen#it< of arg#ments) the amo#nt of facts) or the elegance of rhetoric& So

intimate is this alliance of mind and heart) that talent #niforml< sinks ith character&

The !ias of errors of principle carries aa< men into perilo#s co#rses as soon as their

ill does not control their passion or talent& Hence the extraordinar< !l#nders and

final rong.head into

5age /*+

hich men spoiled !< am!ition #s#all< fall& Hence the remed< for all !l#nders) the

c#re of !lindness) the c#re of crime) is lo6e& G3s m#ch lo6e) so m#ch mind)G said the

Latin pro6er!& The s#periorit< that has no s#perior; the redeemer and instr#ctor ofso#ls) as it is their primal essence) is lo6e& $*(

The moral m#st !e the meas#re of health& 9f <o#r e<e is on the eternal) <o#r intellect

ill gro) and <o#r opinions and actions ill ha6e a !ea#t< hich no learning or

com!ined ad6antages of other men can ri6al& The moment of <o#r loss of faith and

acceptance of the l#crati6e standard ill !e marked in the pa#se or solstice of geni#s)

the se#ent retrogression) and the ine6ita!le loss of attraction to other minds& The

6#lgar are sensi!le of the change in <o#) and of <o#r descent) tho#gh the< clap <o# on

the !ack and congrat#late <o# on <o#r increased common.sense&

=#r recent c#lt#re has !een in nat#ral science& We ha6e learned the manners of thes#n and of the moon) of the ri6ers and the rain) of the mineral and elemental



kingdoms) of plants and animals& Man has learned to eigh the s#n) and its eight

neither loses nor gains& The path of a star) the moment of an eclipse) can !e

5age /*1

determined to the fraction of a second& Well) to him the !ook of histor<) the !ook of

lo6e) the l#res of passion and the commandments of d#t< are opened; and the nextlesson ta#ght is the contin#ation of the inflexi!le la of matter into the s#!tile

kingdom of ill and of tho#ght; that if in sidereal ages gra6it< and proAection keep

their craft) and the !all ne6er loses its a< in its ild path thro#gh space)a secreter

gra6itation) a secreter proAection r#le not less t<rannicall< in h#man histor<) and keep

the !alance of poer from age to age #n!roken& :or tho#gh the ne element of

freedom and an indi6id#al has !een admitted) <et the primordial atoms are prefig#red

and predetermined to moral iss#es) are in search of A#stice) and #ltimate right is done&

$*( Religion or orship is the attit#de of those ho see this #nit<) intimac< and

sincerit<; ho see that against all appearances the nat#re of things orks for tr#th and

right fore6er& $/(

9t is a short sight to limit o#r faith in las to those of gra6it<) of chemistr<) of !otan<)

and so forth& Those las do not stop here o#r e<es lose them) !#t p#sh the same

geometr< and chemistr< #p into the in6isi!le plane of social and rational life) so that

look here e

5age //,

ill) in a !o<s game) or in the strifes of races) a perfect reaction) a perpet#al A#dgment

keeps atch and ard& 3nd this appears in a class of facts hich concerns all men)

ithin and a!o6e their creeds&

Shallo men !elie6e in l#ck) !elie6e in circ#mstances" it as some!od<s name) or he

happened to !e there at the time) or it as so then and another da< it o#ld ha6e !een

otherise& Strong men !elie6e in ca#se and effect& $*( The man as !orn to do it) and

his father as !orn to !e the father of him and of his deed; and !< looking narrol<

<o# shall see there as no l#ck in the matter; !#t it as all a pro!lem in arithmetic) or

an experiment in chemistr<& The c#r6e of the flight of the moth is preordained) and all

things go !< n#m!er) r#le and eight&

Skepticism is #n!elief in ca#se and effect& 3 man does not see that as he eats) so he

thinks; as he deals) so he is) and so he appears; he does not see that his son is the son

of his tho#ghts and of his actions; that fort#nes are not exceptions !#t fr#it; thatrelation and connection are not somehere and sometimes) !#t e6er<here and

ala<s; no miscellan<) no exemption) no anomal<)!#t method) and an

5age //*

e6en e!; and hat comes o#t) that as p#t in& 3s e are) so e do; and as e do) so

is it done to #s; e are the !#ilders of o#r fort#nes; cant and l<ing and the attempt to

sec#re a good hich does not !elong to #s) are) once for all) !alked and 6ain& $*( B#t)

in the h#man mind) this tie of fate is made ali6e& The la is the !asis of the h#man

mind& 9n #s) it is inspiration; o#t there in nat#re e see its fatal strength& We call it the

moral sentiment&



We oe to the Hindoo Script#res a definition of La) hich compares ell ith an<

in o#r Western !ooks& GLa it is) hich is itho#t name) or color) or hands) or feet;

hich is smallest of the least) and largest of the large; all) and knoing all things;

hich hears itho#t ears) sees itho#t e<es) mo6es itho#t feet and sei?es itho#t

hands&G $/(

9f an< reader tax me ith #sing 6ag#e and traditional phrases) let me s#ggest to him

!< a fe examples hat kind of a tr#st this is) and ho real& Let me sho him that the

dice are loaded; $-( that the colors are fast) !eca#se the< are the nati6e colors of the

fleece; that the glo!e is a !atter<) !eca#se e6er< atom is a magnet; and that the police

and sincerit< of the #ni6erse are sec#red !< >ods delegating his di6init< to

5age ///

e6er< particle; that there is no room for h<pocris<) no margin for choice&

The co#ntr<man lea6ing his nati6e 6illage for the first time and going a!road) finds all

his ha!its !roken #p& 9n a ne nation and lang#age) his sect) as #aker) or L#theran)is lost& What it is not then necessar< to the order and existence of societ< He misses

this) and the commanding e<e of his neigh!orhood) hich held him to decor#m& This

is the peril of 7e @ork) of 7e =rleans) of London) of 5aris) to <o#ng men& B#t

after a little experience he makes the disco6er< that there are no large cities)none

large eno#gh to hide in; that the censors of action are as n#mero#s and as near in 5aris

as in Littleton or 5ortland; that the gossip is as prompt and 6engef#l& There is no

concealment) and for each offence a se6eral 6engeance; that reaction) or nothing for

nothing) or) things are as !road as the< are long) is not a r#le for Littleton or 5ortland)

!#t for the #ni6erse&

We cannot spare the coarsest m#niment of 6irt#e& We are disg#sted !< gossip) <et it is

of importance to keep the angels in their proprieties& The smallest fl< ill dra !lood)

and gossip is a eapon impossi!le to excl#de from the pri6atest) highest) selectest&

7at#re created

5age //-

a police of man< ranks& >od has delegated himself to a million dep#ties& :rom these

lo external penalties the scale ascends& 7ext come the resentments) the fears hich

inA#stice calls o#t; then the false relations in hich the offender is p#t to other men;

and the reaction of his fa#lt on himself) in the solit#de and de6astation of his mind& $*(

@o# cannot hide an< secret& 9f the artist s#ccor his flagging spirits !< opi#m or ine)

his ork ill characteri?e itself as the effect of opi#m or ine& 9f <o# make a pict#re

or a stat#e) it sets the !eholder in that state of mind <o# had hen <o# made it& 9f <o#

spend for sho) on !#ilding or gardening or on pict#res or on e#ipages) it ill so

appear& We are all ph<siognomists and penetrators of character) and things themsel6es

are detecti6e& 9f <o# follo the s#!#r!an fashion in !#ilding a s#mpt#o#s.looking

ho#se for a little mone<) it ill appear to all e<es as a cheap dear ho#se& There is no

pri6ac< that cannot !e penetrated& 7o secret can !e kept in the ci6ili?ed orld&

Societ< is a masked !all) here e6er< one hides his real character) and re6eals it !<

hiding& 9f a man ish to conceal an<thing he carries) those hom he meets kno that

he conceals somehat) and #s#all< kno hat he conceals&



5age //0

9s it otherise if there !e some !elief or some p#rpose he o#ld !#r< in his !reast T

is as hard to hide as fire& He is a strong man ho can hold don his opinion& 3 man

cannot #tter to or three sentences itho#t disclosing to intelligent ears precisel<

here he stands in life and tho#ght) namel<) hether in the kingdom of the senses and

the #nderstanding) or in that of ideas and imagination) in the realm of int#itions andd#t<& 5eople seem not to see that their opinion of the orld is also a confession of

character& We can onl< see hat e are) and if e mis!eha6e e s#spect others& The

fame of Shakspeare or of %oltaire) of Thomas V Iempis or of Bonaparte) characteri?es

those ho gi6e it& 3s gas.light is fo#nd to !e the !est noct#rnal police) so the #ni6erse

protects itself !< pitiless p#!licit<& $*(

Each m#st !e armednot necessaril< ith m#sket and pike& Happ<) if) seeing these)

he can feel that he has !etter m#skets and pikes in his energ< and constanc<& To e6er<

creat#re is his on eapon) hoe6er skilf#ll< concealed from himself) a good hile&

His ork is sord and shield& $/( Let him acc#se none) let him inA#re none& The a<

to mend the !ad orld is to create the right orld& Here is a lo political

5age //F

econom< plotting to c#t the throat of foreign competition and esta!lish o#r on;

excl#ding others !< force) or making ar on them; or !< c#nning tariffs gi6ing

preference to orse ares of o#rs& B#t the real and lasting 6ictories are those of peace

and not of ar& The a< to con#er the foreign artisan is) not to kill him) !#t to !eat

his ork& $*( 3nd the Cr<stal 5alaces and World :airs) ith their committees and

pri?es on all kinds of ind#str<) are the res#lt of this feeling& The 3merican orkman

ho strikes ten !los ith his hammer hilst the foreign orkman onl< strikes one)

is as reall< 6an#ishing that foreigner as if the !los ere aimed at and told on his

person& 9 look on that man as happ<) ho) hen there is #estion of s#ccess) looks

into his ork for a repl<) not into the market) not into opinion) not into patronage& 9n

e6er< 6ariet< of h#man emplo<ment) in the mechanical and in the fine arts) in

na6igation) in farming) in legislating) there are) among the n#m!ers ho do their task

perf#nctoril<) as e sa<) or A#st to pass) and as !adl< as the< dare)there are the

orking men) on hom the !#rden of the !#siness falls; those ho lo6e ork) and

lo6e to see it rightl< done; ho finish their task for its on sake; and the state and the

orld is happ< that has the most

5age //'

of s#ch finishers& The orld ill ala<s do A#stice at last to s#ch finishers; it cannot

otherise& He ho has ac#ired the a!ilit< ma< ait sec#rel< the occasion of makingit felt and appreciated) and kno that it ill not loiter& Men talk as if 6ictor< ere

something fort#nate& Work is 6ictor<& Where6er ork is done) 6ictor< is o!tained&

There is no chance) and no !lanks& @o# ant !#t one 6erdict; if <o# ha6e <o#r on

<o# are sec#re of the rest& 3nd <et) if itnesses are anted) itnesses are near& There

as ne6er a man !orn so ise or good !#t one or more companions came into the

orld ith him) ho delight in his fac#lt< and report it& 9 cannot see itho#t ae that

no man thinks alone and no man acts alone) !#t the di6ine assessors ho came #p

ith him into life)no #nder one disg#ise) no #nder another) like a police in

citi?ens clothes)alk ith him) step for step) thro#gh all the kingdom of time& $*(

This reaction) this sincerit< is the propert< of all things& To make o#r ord or acts#!lime) e m#st make it real& 9t is o#r s<stem that co#nts) not the single ord or



#ns#pported action& Use hat lang#age <o# ill) <o# can ne6er sa< an<thing !#t hat

<o# are& What 9 am and hat 9 think is con6e<ed to <o#) in

5age //K

spite of m< efforts to hold it !ack& What 9 am has !een secretl< con6e<ed from me to

another) hilst 9 as 6ainl< making #p m< mind to tell him it& He has heard from mehat 9 ne6er spoke&

3s men get on in life) the< ac#ire a lo6e for sincerit<) and somehat less solicit#de

to !e l#lled or am#sed& 9n the progress of the character) there is an increasing faith in

the moral sentiment) and a decreasing faith in propositions& @o#ng people admire

talents and partic#lar excellences& 3s e gro older e 6al#e total poers and

effects) as the spirit or #alit< of the man& We ha6e another sight) and a ne standard;

an insight hich disregards hat is done for the e<e) and pierces to the doer; an ear

hich hears not hat men sa<) !#t hears hat the< do not sa<&

There as a ise) de6o#t man ho is called) in the Catholic Ch#rch) St& 5hilip 7eri)of hom man< anecdotes to#ching his discernment and !ene6olence are told at

7aples and Rome& 3mong the n#ns in a con6ent not far from Rome) one had appeared

ho laid claim to certain rare gifts of inspiration and prophec<) and the a!!ess

ad6ised the Hol< :ather of the onderf#l poers shon !< her no6ice&

5age //+

The 5ope did not ell kno hat to make of these ne claims) and 5hilip coming in

from a Ao#rne< one da<) he cons#lted him& 5hilip #ndertook to 6isit the n#n and

ascertain her character& He thre himself on his m#le) all tra6el.soiled as he as) and

hastened thro#gh the m#d and mire to the distant con6ent& He told the a!!ess the

ishes of his Holiness) and !egged her to s#mmon the n#n itho#t dela<& The n#n

as sent for) and as soon as she came into the apartment) 5hilip stretched o#t his leg)

all !espattered ith m#d) and desired her to dra off his !oots& The <o#ng n#n) ho

had !ecome the o!Aect of m#ch attention and respect) dre !ack ith anger) and

ref#sed the office" 5hilip ran o#t of doors) mo#nted his m#le and ret#rned instantl< to

the 5ope; G>i6e <o#rself no #neasiness) Hol< :ather) an< longer" here is no miracle)

for here is no h#milit<&G $*(

We need not m#ch mind hat people please to sa<) !#t hat the< m#st sa<; hat their

nat#res sa<) tho#gh their !#s<) artf#l) @ankee #nderstandings tr< to hold !ack and

choke that ord) and to artic#late something different& 9f e ill sit #ietl<) hat the<o#ght to sa< is said) ith their ill or against their ill& We

5age //1

do not care for <o#) let #s pretend hat e ma<"e are ala<s looking thro#gh <o#

to the dim dictator !ehind <o#& Whilst <o#r ha!it or him chatters) e ci6ill< and

impatientl< ait #ntil that ise s#perior shall speak again& E6en children are not

decei6ed !< the false reasons hich their parents gi6e in anser to their #estions)

hether to#ching nat#ral facts) or religion) or persons& When the parent) instead of

thinking ho it reall< is) p#ts them off ith a traditional or a h<pocritical anser) the

children percei6e that it is traditional or h<pocritical& To a so#nd constit#tion the

defect of another is at once manifest; and the marks of it are onl< concealed from #s !< o#r on dislocation& 3n anatomical o!ser6er remarks that the s<mpathies of the



chest) a!domen and pel6is tell at last on the face) and on all its feat#res& 7ot onl< does

o#r !ea#t< aste) !#t it lea6es ord ho it ent to aste& 5h<siognom< and

phrenolog< are not ne sciences) !#t declarations of the so#l that it is aare of certain

ne so#rces of information& 3nd no sciences of !roader scope are starting #p !ehind

these& $*( 3nd so for o#rsel6es it is reall< of little importance hat !l#nders in

statement e make) so onl< e make no ilf#l depart#res from the5age /-,

tr#th& Ho a mans tr#th comes to mind) long after e ha6e forgotten all his ords

Ho it comes to #s in silent ho#rs) that tr#th is o#r onl< armor in all passages of life

and death Wit is cheap) and anger is cheap; !#t if <o# cannot arg#e or explain

<o#rself to the other part<) clea6e to the tr#th) against me) against thee) and <o# gain a

station from hich <o# cannot !e dislodged& The other part< ill forget the ords that

<o# spoke) !#t the part <o# took contin#es to plead for <o#& $*(

Wh< sho#ld 9 hasten to sol6e e6er< riddle hich life offers me 9 am ell ass#red that

the #estioner ho !rings me so man< pro!lems ill !ring the ansers also in d#e

time& %er< rich) 6er< potent) 6er< cheerf#l >i6er that he is) he shall ha6e it all his ona<) for me& Wh< sho#ld 9 gi6e #p m< tho#ght) !eca#se 9 cannot anser an o!Aection

to it Consider onl< hether it remains in m< life the same it as& That onl< hich e

ha6e ithin) can e see itho#t& 9f e meet no gods) it is !eca#se e har!or none& 9f

there is grande#r in <o#) <o# ill find grande#r in porters and seeps& He onl< is

rightl< immortal to hom all things are immortal& 9 ha6e read somehere that none is

accomplished so long as an< are incomplete; that the

5age /-*

happiness of one cannot consist ith the miser< of an< other&

The B#ddhists sa<) G7o seed ill die"G e6er< seed ill gro& Where is the ser6ice

hich can escape its rem#neration What is 6#lgar) and the essence of all 6#lgarit<)

!#t the a6arice of reard T is the difference of artisan and artist) of talent and

geni#s) of sinner and saint& The man hose e<es are nailed) not on the nat#re of his

act !#t on the ages) hether it !e mone<) or office) or fame) is almost e#all< lo&

He is great hose e<es are opened to see that the reard of actions cannot !e escaped)

!eca#se he is transformed into his action) and taketh its nat#re) hich !ears its on

fr#it) like e6er< other tree& 3 great man cannot !e hindered of the effect of his act)

!eca#se it is immediate& The geni#s of life is friendl< to the no!le) and in the dark

!rings them friends from far& :ear >od) and here <o# go) men shall think the< alk

in halloed cathedrals&

3nd so 9 look on those sentiments hich make the glor< of the h#man !eing) lo6e)

h#milit<) faith) as !eing also the intimac< of Di6init< in the atoms; and that as soon as

the man is right) ass#rances and pre6isions emanate from the interior of his !od< and

his mind; as)

5age /-/

hen floers reach their ripeness) incense exhales from them) and as a !ea#tif#l

atmosphere is generated from the planet !< the a6eraged emanations from all its rocks

and soils& $*(



Th#s man is made e#al to e6er< e6ent& He can face danger for the right& 3 poor)

tender) painf#l !od<) he can r#n into flame or !#llets or pestilence) ith d#t< for his

g#ide& He feels the ins#rance of a A#st emplo<ment& 9 am not afraid of accident as long

as 9 am in m< place& 9t is strange that s#perior persons sho#ld not feel that the< ha6e

some !etter resistance against cholera than a6oiding green peas and salads& Life is

hardl< respecta!le)is it if it has no genero#s) g#aranteeing task) no d#ties oraffections that constit#te a necessit< of existing& E6er< mans task is his life.preser6er&

The con6iction that his ork is dear to >od and cannot !e spared) defends him& The

lightning.rod that disarms the clo#d of its threat is his !od< in its d#t<& 3 high aim

reacts on the means) on the da<s) on the organs of the !od<& 3 high aim is c#rati6e) as

ell as arnica& G7apoleon)G sa<s >oethe) G6isited those sick of the plag#e) in order to

pro6e that the man ho co#ld 6an#ish fear co#ld 6an#ish the plag#e also; and he

as right& 9t is incredi!le hat force the ill has in

5age /--

s#ch cases; it penetrates the !od< and p#ts it in a state of acti6it< hich repels all

h#rtf#l infl#ences; hilst fear in6ites them&G

9t is related of William of =range) that hilst he as !esieging a ton on the

continent) a gentleman sent to him on p#!lic !#siness came to his camp) and) learning

that the king as !efore the alls) he 6ent#red to go here he as& He fo#nd him

directing the operation of his g#nners) and ha6ing explained his errand and recei6ed

his anser) the king said) GDo <o# not kno) sir) that e6er< moment <o# spend here is

at the risk of <o#r lifeG G9 r#n no more risk)G replied the gentleman) Gthan <o#r

MaAest<&G G@es)G said the king) G!#t m< d#t< !rings me here) and <o#rs does not&G 9n a

fe min#tes a cannon.!all fell on the spot) and the gentleman as killed&

Th#s can the faithf#l st#dent re6erse all the arnings of his earl< instinct) #nder the

g#idance of a deeper instinct& He learns to elcome misfort#ne) learns that ad6ersit<

is the prosperit< of the great& He learns the greatness of h#milit<& He shall ork in the

dark) ork against fail#re) pain and ill.ill& $*( 9f he is ins#lted) he can !e ins#lted; all

his affair is not to ins#lt& Hafi? rites)

5age /-0

G3t the last da<) men shall ear

=n their heads the d#st)

3s ensign and as ornament

=f their lol< tr#st&G

The moral e#ali?es all" enriches) empoers all& 9t is the coin hich !#<s all) and

hich all find in their pocket& Under the hip of the dri6er) the sla6e shall feel his

e#alit< ith saints and heroes& 9n the greatest destit#tion and calamit< it s#rprises

man ith a feeling of elasticit< hich makes nothing of loss&

9 recall some traits of a remarka!le person hose life and disco#rse !etra<ed man<

inspirations of this sentiment& Benedict as ala<s great in the present time& He had

hoarded nothing from the past) neither in his ca!inets) neither in his memor<& He had

no designs on the f#t#re) neither for hat he sho#ld do to men) nor for hat men

sho#ld do for him& He said) G9 am ne6er !eaten #ntil 9 kno that 9 am !eaten& 9 meet poerf#l) !r#tal people to hom 9 ha6e no skill to repl<& The< think the< ha6e



defeated me& 9t is so p#!lished in societ<) in the Ao#rnals; 9 am defeated in this fashion)

in all mens sight) perhaps on a do?en different lines& M< ledger ma< sho that 9 am in

de!t) cannot <et make m< ends meet and 6an#ish the

5age /-F

enem< so& M< race ma< not !e prospering; e are sick) #gl<) o!sc#re) #npop#lar& M<children ma< !e orsted& 9 seem to fail in m< friends and clients) too& That is to sa<) in

all the enco#nters that ha6e <et chanced) 9 ha6e not !een eaponed for that partic#lar

occasion) and ha6e !een historicall< !eaten; and <et 9 kno all the time that 9 ha6e

ne6er !een !eaten; ha6e ne6er <et fo#ght) shall certainl< fight hen m< ho#r comes)

and shall !eat&G G3 man)G sa<s the %ishn# Sarma) Gho ha6ing ell compared his on

strength or eakness ith that of others) after all doth not kno the difference) is

easil< o6ercome !< his enemies&G

G9 spent)G he said) Gten months in the co#ntr<& Thick.starred =rion as m< onl<

companion& Where6er a s#irrel or a !ee can go ith sec#rit<) 9 can go& 9 ate hate6er

as set !efore me; 9 to#ched i6< and dogood& When 9 ent a!road) 9 kept compan<ith e6er< man on the road) for 9 kne that m< e6il and m< good did not come from

these) !#t from the Spirit) hose ser6ant 9 as& :or 9 co#ld not stoop to !e a

circ#mstance) as the< did ho p#t their life into their fort#ne and their compan<& 9

o#ld not degrade m<self !< casting a!o#t in m< memor< for a tho#ght) nor !<

aiting for

5age /-'

one& 9f the tho#ght come) 9 o#ld gi6e it entertainment& 9t sho#ld) as it o#ght) go into

m< hands and feet; !#t if it come not spontaneo#sl<) it comes not rightl< at all& 9f it

can spare me) 9 am s#re 9 can spare it& 9t shall !e the same ith m< friends& 9 ill

ne6er oo the lo6eliest& 9 ill not ask an< friendship or fa6or& When 9 come to m<

on) e shall !oth kno it& 7othing ill !e to !e asked or to !e granted&G Benedict

ent o#t to seek his friend) and met him on the a<; !#t he expressed no s#rprise at

an< coincidences& =n the other hand) if he called at the door of his friend and he as

not at home) he did not go again; concl#ding that he had misinterpreted the

intimations&

He had the him not to make an apolog< to the same indi6id#al hom he had

ronged& :or this he said as a piece of personal 6anit<; !#t he o#ld correct his

cond#ct) in that respect in hich he had fa#lted) to the next person he sho#ld meet&

Th#s) he said) #ni6ersal A#stice as satisfied& $*(

Mira came to ask hat she sho#ld do ith the poor >enesee oman ho had hired

herself to ork for her) at a shilling a da<) and) no sickening) as like to !e

!edridden on her hands& Sho#ld she keep her) or sho#ld she dismiss her

5age /-K

B#t Benedict said) GWh< ask =ne thing ill clear itself as the thing to !e done) and

not another) hen the ho#r comes& 9s it a #estion hether to p#t her into the street

J#st as m#ch hether to thr#st the little Jenn< on <o#r arm into the street& The milk

and meal <o# gi6e the !eggar ill fatten Jenn<& Thr#st the oman o#t) and <o# thr#st

<o#r !a!e o#t of doors) hether it so seem to <o# or not&G



9n the Shakers) so called) 9 find one piece of !elief) in the doctrine hich the<

faithf#ll< hold that enco#rages them to open their doors to e6er< a<faring man ho

proposes to come among them; for) the< sa<) the Spirit ill presentl< manifest to the

man himself and to the societ< hat manner of person he is) and hether he !elongs

among them& The< do not recei6e him) the< do not reAect him& 3nd not in 6ain ha6e

the< orn their cla< coat) and dr#dged in their fields) and sh#ffled in their Br#indance) from <ear to <ear) if the< ha6e tr#l< learned th#s m#ch isdom&

Honor him hose life is perpet#al 6ictor<; him ho) !< s<mpath< ith the in6isi!le

and real) finds s#pport in la!or) instead of praise; ho does not shine) and o#ld

rather not& With e<es open) he makes the choice of 6irt#e hich

5age /-+

o#trages the 6irt#o#s; of religion hich ch#rches stop their discords to !#rn and

exterminate; for the highest 6irt#e is ala<s against the la& $*(

Miracle comes to the mirac#lo#s) not to the arithmetician& Talent and s#ccess interestme !#t moderatel<& The great class) the< ho affect o#r imagination) the men ho

co#ld not make their hands meet aro#nd their o!Aects) the rapt) the lost) the fools of

ideas)the< s#ggest hat the< cannot exec#te& The< speak to the ages) and are heard

from afar& The Spirit does not lo6e cripples and malformations& 9f there e6er as a

good man) !e certain there as another and ill !e more&

3nd so in relation to that f#t#re ho#r) that spectre clothed ith !ea#t< at o#r c#rtain

!< night) at o#r ta!le !< da<)the apprehension) the ass#rance of a coming change&

The race of mankind ha6e ala<s offered at least this implied thanks for the gift of

existence)namel<) the terror of its !eing taken aa<; the insatia!le c#riosit< and

appetite for its contin#ation& The hole re6elation that is 6o#chsafed #s is the gentle

tr#st) hich) in o#r experience) e find ill co6er also ith floers the slopes of this

chasm& $/(

=f immortalit<) the so#l hen ell emplo<ed

5age /-1

is inc#rio#s& 9t is so ell) that it is s#re it ill !e ell& 9t asks no #estions of the

S#preme 5oer& The son of 3ntioch#s asked his father hen he o#ld Aoin !attle&

GDost tho# fear)G replied the king) Gthat tho# onl< in all the arm< ilt not hear the

tr#mpetG T is a higher thing to confide that if it is !est e sho#ld li6e) e shall li6e) t is higher to ha6e this con6iction than to ha6e the lease of indefinite cent#ries and

millenni#ms and aeons& Higher than the #estion of o#r d#ration is the #estion of o#r

deser6ing& 9mmortalit< ill come to s#ch as are fit for it) and he ho o#ld !e a great

so#l in f#t#re m#st !e a great so#l no& 9t is a doctrine too great to rest on an< legend)

that is) on an< mans experience !#t o#r on& 9t m#st !e pro6ed) if at all) from o#r

on acti6it< and designs) hich impl< an intermina!le f#t#re for their pla<& $*(

What is called religion effeminates and demorali?es& S#ch as <o# are) the gods

themsel6es co#ld not help <o#& Men are too often #nfit to li6e) from their o!6io#s

ine#alit< to their on necessities; or the< s#ffer from politics) or !ad neigh!ors) or

from sickness) and the< o#ld gladl< kno that the< ere to !e dismissed from thed#ties of life& B#t the ise



5age /0,

instinct asks) Ho ill death help them These are not dismissed hen the< die& @o#

shall not ish for death o#t of p#sillanimit<& The eight of the #ni6erse is pressed

don on the sho#lders of each moral agent to hold him to his task& The onl< path of

escape knon in all the orlds of >od is performance& @o# m#st do <o#r ork) !efore<o# shall !e released& 3nd as far as it is a #estion of fact respecting the go6ernment

of the #ni6erse) Marc#s 3ntonin#s s#mmed the hole in a ord) G9t is pleasant to die

if there !e gods) and sad to li6e if there !e none&G

3nd so 9 think that the last lesson of life) the choral song hich rises from all

elements and all angels) is a 6ol#ntar< o!edience) a necessitated freedom& Man is

made of the same atoms as the orld is) he shares the same impressions)

predispositions and destin<& When his mind is ill#minated) hen his heart is kind) he

thros himself Ao<f#ll< into the s#!lime order) and does) ith knoledge) hat the

stones do !< str#ct#re&

The religion hich is to g#ide and f#lfil the present and coming ages) hate6er else it

!e) m#st !e intellect#al& The scientific mind m#st ha6e a faith hich is science&

GThere are to

5age /0*

things)G said Mahomet) Ghich 9 a!hor) the learned in his infidelities) and the fool in

his de6otions&G =#r times are impatient of !oth) and speciall< of the last& Let #s ha6e

nothing no hich is not its on e6idence& There is s#rel< eno#gh for the heart and

imagination in the religion itself& Let #s not !e pestered ith assertions and half.

tr#ths) ith emotion and sn#ffle& $*(

There ill !e a ne ch#rch fo#nded on moral science; at first cold and naked) a !a!e

in a manger again) the alge!ra and mathematics of ethical la) the ch#rch of men to

come) itho#t shams) or psalter<) or sack!#t; !#t it ill ha6e hea6en and earth for

its !eams and rafters; science for s<m!ol and ill#stration; it ill fast eno#gh gather

!ea#t<) m#sic) pict#re) poetr<& Was ne6er stoicism so stern and exigent as this shall !e&

9t shall send man home to his central solit#de) shame these social) s#pplicating

manners) and make him kno that m#ch of the time he m#st ha6e himself to his

friend& He shall expect no coNperation) he shall alk ith no companion& The

nameless Tho#ght) the nameless 5oer) the s#per.personal Heart)he shall repose

alone on that& $/( He needs onl< his on 6erdict& 7o good fame can help) no

5age /0/

!ad fame can h#rt him& The Las are his consolers) the good Las themsel6es are

ali6e) the< kno if he ha6e kept them) the< animate him ith the leading of great

d#t<) and an endless hori?on& Honor and fort#ne exist to him ho ala<s recogni?es

the neigh!orhood of the great)ala<s feels himself in the presence of high ca#ses&


5oered !< DLS










5age $#nn#m!ered(

%99& C=7S9DER3T9=7S B@ THE W3@

HE3R hat British Merlin s#ng)

=f keenest e<e and tr#est tong#e&Sa< not) the chiefs ho first arri6e

Us#rp the seats for hich all stri6e;

The forefathers this land ho fo#nd

:ailed to plant the 6antage.gro#nd;

E6er from one ho comes to.morro

Men ait their good and tr#th to !orro&

B#t ilt tho# meas#re all th< road)

See tho# lift the lightest load&

Who has little) to him ho has less) can spare)

3nd tho#) C<nd<llans son !eare

5ondero#s gold and st#ffs to !ear)

To falter ere tho# th< task f#lfil)

=nl< the light.armed clim! the hill&

The richest of all lords is Use)

3nd r#dd< Health the loftiest M#se&

Li6e in the s#nshine) sim the sea)

Drink the ild airs sal#!rit<"

Where the star Canope shines in Ma<)

Shepherds are thankf#l) and nations ga<&

The m#sic that can deepest reach)

3nd c#re all ill) is cordial speech"Mask th< isdom ith delight)

To< ith the !o) <et hit the hite&

=f all its #ses) the main one

9s to li6e ell ith ho has none&

5age /00

Clea6e to thine acre; the ro#nd <ear

Will fetch all fr#its and 6irt#es here"

:ool and foe ma< harmless roam)

Lo6ed and lo6ers !ide at home&

3 da< for toil) an ho#r for sport)

B#t for a friend is life too short&5age $#nn#m!ered(



C=7S9DER3T9=7S B@ THE W3@

3LTH=U>H this garr#lit< of ad6ising is !orn ith #s) 9 confess that life is rather a

s#!Aect of onder than of didactics& So m#ch fate) so m#ch irresisti!le dictation from

temperament and #nknon inspiration enters into it) that e do#!t e can sa<

an<thing o#t of o#r on experience here!< to help each other& 3ll the professions

are timid and expectant agencies& The priest is glad if his pra<ers or his sermon meetthe condition of an< so#l; if of to) if of ten) t is a signal s#ccess& B#t he alked to

the ch#rch itho#t an< ass#rance that he kne the distemper) or co#ld heal it& The

ph<sician prescri!es hesitatingl< o#t of his fe reso#rces the same tonic or sedati6e to

this ne and pec#liar constit#tion hich he has applied ith 6ario#s s#ccess to a

h#ndred men !efore& 9f the patientmends he is glad and s#rprised& The la<er ad6ises

the client) and tells his stor< to the A#r< and lea6es it ith them) and is as ga< and as

m#ch relie6ed as the client if it t#rns o#t that he has a 6erdict& The A#dge eighs the

arg#ments and p#ts a !ra6e face on the matter) and) since there

5age /0'

m#st !e a decision) decides as he can) and hopes he has done A#stice and gi6ensatisfaction to the comm#nit<; !#t is onl< an ad6ocate after all& 3nd so is all life a

timid and #nskilf#l spectator& We do hat e m#st) and call it !< the !est names& We

like 6er< ell to !e praised for o#r action) !#t o#r conscience sa<s) G7ot #nto #s&G T

is little e can do for each other& We accompan< the <o#th ith s<mpath< and

manifold old sa<ings of the ise to the gate of the arena) !#t t is certain that not !<

strength of o#rs) or of the old sa<ings) !#t onl< on strength of his on) #nknon to #s

or to an<) he m#st stand or fall& That !< hich a man con#ers in an< passage is a

profo#nd secret to e6er< other !eing in the orld) and it is onl< as he t#rns his !ack

on #s and on all men and dras on this most pri6ate isdom) that an< good can come

to him& What e ha6e therefore to sa< of life) is rather description) or if <o# please)

cele!ration) than a6aila!le r#les& $*(

@et 6igor is contagio#s) and hate6er makes #s either think or feel strongl<) adds to

o#r poer and enlarges o#r field of action& We ha6e a de!t to e6er< great heart) to

e6er< fine geni#s; to those ho ha6e p#t life and fort#ne on the cast of an act of

A#stice; to those ho ha6e added ne sciences; to those ho ha6e refined life !<

elegant

5age /0K

p#rs#its& T is the fine so#ls ho ser6e #s) and not hat is called fine societ<& :ine

societ< is onl< a self.protection against the 6#lgarities of the street and the ta6ern&:ine societ<) in the common acceptation) has neither ideas nor aims& 9t renders the

ser6ice of a perf#mer< or a la#ndr<) not of a farm or factor<& T is an excl#sion and a

precinct& S<dne< Smith said) G3 fe <ards in London cement or dissol6e friendship&G

9t is an #nprincipled decor#m; an affair of clean linen and coaches) of glo6es) cards

and elegance in trifles& There are other meas#res of self.respect for a man than the

n#m!er of clean shirts he p#ts on e6er< da<& Societ< ishes to !e am#sed& 9 do not

ish to !e am#sed& 9 ish that life sho#ld not !e cheap) !#t sacred& 9 ish the da<s to

!e as cent#ries) loaded) fragrant& 7o e reckon them as !ank.da<s) !< some de!t

hich is to !e paid #s or hich e are to pa<) or some pleas#re e are to taste& 9s all

e ha6e to do to dra the !reath in and !lo it o#t again $*( 5orph<r<s definition is

!etter; GLife is that hich holds matter together&G The !a!e in arms is a channelthro#gh hich the energies e call fate) lo6e and reason) 6isi!l< stream& See hat a



cometar< train of a#xiliaries man carries ith him) of animals) plants) stones) gases

and impondera!le elements&

5age /0+

Let #s infer his ends from this pomp of means& Mira!ea# said) GWh< sho#ld e feel

o#rsel6es to !e men) #nless it !e to s#cceed in e6er<thing) e6er<here& @o# m#st sa<

of nothing) That is !eneath me) nor feel that an<thing can !e o#t of <o#r poer& 7othing is impossi!le to the man ho can ill& 9s that necessar< That shall !e"this

is the onl< la of s#ccess&G Whoe6er said it) this is in the right ke<& B#t this is not the

tone and geni#s of the men in the street& 9n the streets e gro c<nical& The men e

meet are coarse and torpid& The finest its ha6e their sediment& What #antities of

fri!!les) pa#pers) in6alids) epic#res) anti#aries) politicians) thie6es and triflers of

!oth sexes might !e ad6antageo#sl< spared Mankind di6ides itself into to classes)

!enefactors and malefactors& The second class is 6ast) the first a handf#l& 3 person

seldom falls sick !#t the !<standers are animated ith a faint hope that he ill die"

#antities of poor li6es) of distressing in6alids) of cases for a g#n& :ranklin said)

GMankind are 6er< s#perficial and dastardl<" the< !egin #pon a thing) !#t) meeting

ith a diffic#lt<) the< fl< from it disco#raged; !#t the< ha6e capacities) if the< o#ldemplo< them&G Shall e then A#dge a co#ntr< !< the maAorit<) or !< the minorit< B<

the minorit<)

5age /01

s#rel<& $*( T is pedantr< to estimate nations !< the cens#s) or !< s#are miles of land)

or other than !< their importance to the mind of the time&

Lea6e this h<pocritical prating a!o#t the masses& Masses are r#de) lame) #nmade)

pernicio#s in their demands and infl#ence) and need not to !e flattered !#t to !e

schooled& 9 ish not to concede an<thing to them) !#t to tame) drill) di6ide and !reak

them #p) and dra indi6id#als o#t of them& The orst of charit< is that the li6es <o#

are asked to preser6e are not orth preser6ing& Masses the calamit< is the masses& 9

do not ish an< mass at all) !#t honest men onl<) lo6el<) seet) accomplished omen

onl<) and no sho6el.handed) narro.!rained) gin.drinking million stockingers or

la??aroni at all& 9f go6ernment kne ho) 9 sho#ld like to see it check) not m#ltipl<

the pop#lation& When it reaches its tr#e la of action) e6er< man that is !orn ill !e

hailed as essential& 3a< ith this h#rrah of masses) and let #s ha6e the considerate

6ote of single men spoken on their honor and their conscience& $*( 9n old Eg<pt it as

esta!lished la that the 6ote of a prophet !e reckoned e#al to a h#ndred hands& 9

think it as m#ch #nderestimated& GCla< and cla< differ in dignit<)G as e

5age /F,disco6er !< o#r preferences e6er< da<& What a 6icio#s practice is this of o#r

politicians at Washington pairing off as if one man ho 6otes rong going aa<)

co#ld exc#se <o#) ho mean to 6ote right) for going aa<; or as if <o#r presence did

not tell in more a<s than in <o#r 6ote& S#ppose the three h#ndred heroes at

Thermop<lae had paired off ith three h#ndred 5ersians; o#ld it ha6e !een all the

same to >reece) and to histor< 7apoleon as called !< his men Cent Mille& 3dd

honest< to him) and the< might ha6e called him H#ndred Million&

7at#re makes fift< poor melons for one that is good) and shakes don a tree f#ll of

gnarled) orm<) #nripe cra!s) !efore <o# can find a do?en dessert apples; and she

scatters nations of naked 9ndians and nations of clothed Christians) ith to or threegood heads among them& 7at#re orks 6er< hard) and onl< hits the hite once in a



million thros& 9n mankind she is contented if she <ields one master in a cent#r<& The

more diffic#lt< there is in creating good men) the more the< are #sed hen the< come&

9 once co#nted in a little neigh!orhood and fo#nd that e6er< a!le.!odied man had sa<

from tel6e to fifteen persons dependent on him for material aid)to hom he is to

!e for spoon and A#g) for

5age /F*

!acker and sponsor) for n#rser< and hospital and man< f#nctions !eside" nor does it

seem to make m#ch difference hether he is !achelor or patriarch; if he do not

6iolentl< decline the d#ties that fall to him) this amo#nt of helpf#lness ill in one a<

or another !e !ro#ght home to him& This is the tax hich his a!ilities pa<& The good

men are emplo<ed for pri6ate centres of #se) and for larger infl#ence& 3ll re6elations)

hether of mechanical or intellect#al or moral science) are made) not to comm#nities

!#t to single persons& $*( 3ll the marked e6ents of o#r da<) all the cities) all the

coloni?ations) ma< !e traced !ack to their origin in a pri6ate !rain& 3ll the feats hich

make o#r ci6ilit< ere the tho#ghts of a fe good heads&

Meantime this spaning prod#cti6it< is not noxio#s or needless& @o# o#ld sa< this

ra!!le of nations might !e spared& B#t no) the< are all co#nted and depended on& :ate

keeps e6er<thing ali6e so long as the smallest thread of p#!lic necessit< holds it on to

the tree& The coxcom! and !#ll< and thief class are alloed as proletaries) e6er< one

of their 6ices !eing the excess or acridit< of a 6irt#e& The mass are animal) in

p#pilage) and near chimpan?ee& B#t the #nits hereof this mass is composed) are

5age /F/

ne#ters) e6er< one of hich ma< !e gron to a #een.!ee& The r#le is) e are #sed as

!r#te atoms #ntil e think" then e #se all the rest& 7at#re t#rns all malfeasance to

good& 7at#re pro6ided for real needs& 7o sane man at last distr#sts himself& His

existence is a perfect anser to all sentimental ca6ils& 9f he is) he is anted) and has

the precise properties that are re#ired& That e are here) is proof e o#ght to !e here&

We ha6e as good right) and the same sort of right to !e here) as Cape Cod or Sand<

Hook ha6e to !e there&

To sa< then) the maAorit< are icked) means no malice) no !ad heart in the o!ser6er)

!#t simpl< that the maAorit< are #nripe) and ha6e not <et come to themsel6es) do not

<et kno their opinion& That) if the< kne it) is an oracle for them and for all& B#t in

the passing moment the #adr#ped interest is 6er< prone to pre6ail; and this !east.

force) hilst it makes the discipline of the orld) the school of heroes) the glor< ofmart<rs) has pro6oked in e6er< age the satire of its and the tears of good men& The<

find the Ao#rnals) the cl#!s) the go6ernments) the ch#rches) to !e in the interest and

the pa< of the de6il& 3nd ise men ha6e met this o!str#ction in their times) like

Socrates)

5age /F-

ith his famo#s iron<; like Bacon) ith life.long dissim#lation; like Erasm#s) ith his

!ook) The 5raise of :oll<; like Ra!elais) ith his satire rending the nations& GThe<

ere the fools ho cried against me) <o# ill sa<)G rote the Che6alier de Bo#fflers

to >rimm; Ga<e) !#t the fools ha6e the ad6antage of n#m!ers) and t is that hich

decides& 9t is of no #se for #s to make ar ith them; e shall not eaken them; the<



ill ala<s !e the masters& There ill not !e a practice or an #sage introd#ced) of

hich the< are not the a#thors&G

9n front of these sinister facts) the first lesson of histor< is the good of e6il& >ood is a

good doctor !#t Bad is sometimes a !etter& The oppressions of William the 7orman)

sa6age forest las and cr#shing despotism made possi!le the inspirations of MagnaCharta #nder John& Edard 9& anted mone<) armies) castles) and as m#ch as he co#ld

get& 9t as necessar< to call the people together !< shorter) sifter a<s)and the

Ho#se of Commons arose& To o!tain s#!sidies) he paid in pri6ileges& 9n the tent<.

fo#rth <ear of his reign he decreed Gthat no tax sho#ld !e le6ied itho#t consent of

Lords and Commons;Ghich is the !asis of the English Constit#tion& 5l#tarch

5age /F0

affirms that the cr#el ars hich folloed the march of 3lexander introd#ced the

ci6ilit<) lang#age and arts of >reece into the sa6age East; introd#ced marriage; !#ilt

se6ent< cities) and #nited hostile nations #nder one go6ernment& The !ar!arians ho

!roke #p the Roman Empire did not arri6e a da< too soon& Schiller sa<s the Thirt<@ears War made >erman< a nation& Ro#gh) selfish despots ser6e men immensel<) as

Henr< %999& in the contest ith the 5ope; as the infat#ations no less than the isdom

of Cromell; as the ferocit< of the R#ssian c?ars; as the fanaticism of the :rench

regicides of *K+1& The frost hich kills the har6est of a <ear sa6es the har6ests of a

cent#r<) !< destro<ing the ee6il or the loc#st& Wars) fires) plag#es) !reak #p

immo6a!le ro#tine) clear the gro#nd of rotten races and dens of distemper) and open a

fair field to ne men& There is a tendenc< in things to right themsel6es) and the ar or

re6ol#tion or !ankr#ptc< that shatters a rotten s<stem) allos things to take a ne and

nat#ral order& The sharpest e6ils are !ent into that periodicit< hich makes the errors

of planets and the fe6ers and distempers of men) self.limiting& $*( 7at#re is #pheld !<

antagonism& 5assions) resistance) danger) are

5age /FF

ed#cators& We ac#ire the strength e ha6e o6ercome& Witho#t ar) no soldiers;

itho#t enemies) no hero& The s#n ere insipid if the #ni6erse ere not opa#e& 3nd

the glor< of character is in affronting the horrors of depra6it< to dra thence ne

no!ilities of poer; $*( as 3rt li6es and thrills in ne #se and com!ining of contrasts)

and mining into the dark e6ermore for !lacker pits of night& What o#ld painter do) or

hat o#ld poet or saint) !#t for cr#cifixions and hells 3nd e6ermore in the orld is

this mar6ello#s !alance of !ea#t< and disg#st) magnificence and rats& 7ot 3ntonin#s)

!#t a poor asher.oman said) GThe more tro#!le) the more lion; thats m< principle&G

9 do not think 6er< respectf#ll< of the designs or the doings of the people ho ent to

California in *+01& 9t as a r#sh and a scram!le of need< ad6ent#rers) and) in the

estern co#ntr<) a general Aail deli6er< of all the rodies of the ri6ers& Some of them

ent ith honest p#rposes) some ith 6er< !ad ones) and all of them ith the 6er<

commonplace ish to find a short a< to ealth& B#t nat#re atches o6er all) and

t#rns this malfeasance to good& California gets peopled and s#!d#ed) ci6ili?ed in this

immoral a<) and on this fiction a real

5age /F'

prosperit< is rooted and gron& T is a deco<.d#ck; t is t#!s thron to am#se the

hale; !#t real d#cks) and hales that <ield oil) are ca#ght& 3nd o#t of Sa!ine rapes)and o#t of ro!!ers fora<s) real Romes and their heroisms come in f#lness of time& $*(



9n 3merica the geograph< is s#!lime) !#t the men are not; the in6entions are

excellent) !#t the in6entors one is sometimes ashamed of& The agencies !< hich

e6ents so grand as the opening of California) of Texas) of =regon) and the A#nction of

the to oceans) are effected) are paltr<)coarse selfishness) fra#d and conspirac<; and

most of the great res#lts of histor< are !ro#ght a!o#t !< discredita!le means& $/(

The !enefaction deri6ed in 9llinois and the great West from railroads is inestima!le)

and 6astl< exceeding an< intentional philanthrop< on record& What is the !enefit done

!< a good Iing 3lfred) or !< a Hoard) or 5estalo??i) or Eli?a!eth :r<) or :lorence

7ightingale) or an< lo6er) less or larger) compared ith the in6ol#ntar< !lessing

ro#ght on nations !< the selfish capitalists ho !#ilt the 9llinois) Michigan and the

netork of the Mississippi %alle< roads; hich ha6e e6oked not onl< all the ealth of

the soil) !#t the energ< of millions of

5age /FK

men& 9t is a sentence of ancient isdom that G>od hangs the greatest eights on thesmallest ires&G

What happens th#s to nations !efalls e6er< da< in pri6ate ho#ses& When the friends of

a gentleman !ro#ght to his notice the follies of his sons) ith man< hints of their

danger) he replied that he kne so m#ch mischief hen he as a !o<) and had t#rned

o#t on the hole so s#ccessf#ll<) that he as not alarmed !< the dissipation of !o<s; t

as dangero#s ater) !#t he tho#ght the< o#ld soon to#ch !ottom) and then sim to

the top& This is !old practice) and there are man< fail#res to a good escape& @et one

o#ld sa< that a good #nderstanding o#ld s#ffice as ell as moral sensi!ilit< to

keep one erect; the gratifications of the passions are so #ickl< seen to !e damaging)

andhat men like leastserio#sl< loering them in social rank& Then all talent

sinks ith character&

GGCro<e? moi) l erre#r a#ssi a son mrite)G said %oltaire& We see those ho s#rmo#nt)

!< dint of some egotism or infat#ation) o!stacles from hich the pr#dent recoil& The

right partisan is a head<) narro man) ho) !eca#se he does not see man< things) sees

some one thing

5age /F+

ith heat and exaggeration) and if he falls among other narro men) or on o!Aects

hich ha6e a !rief importance) as some trade or politics of the ho#r) he prefers it tothe #ni6erse) and seems inspired and a godsend to those ho ish to magnif< the

matter and carr< a point& Better) certainl<) if e co#ld sec#re the strength and fire

hich r#de) passionate men !ring into societ<) #ite clear of their 6ices& B#t ho

dares dra o#t the linchpin from the agon.heel T is so manifest that there is no

moral deformit< !#t is a good passion o#t of place; that there is no man ho is not

inde!ted to his foi!les; that) according to the old oracle) Gthe :#ries are the !onds of

men;G $*( that the poisons are o#r principal medicines) hich kill the disease and sa6e

the life& 9n the high prophetic phrase) He ca#ses the rath of man to praise him) and

tists and renches o#r e6il to o#r good& Shakspeare rote)

GT is said) !est men are mo#lded of their fa#lts;G $/(



and great ed#cators and lagi6ers) and especiall< generals and leaders of colonies)

mainl< rel< on this st#ff) and esteem men of irreg#lar and passional force the !est

tim!er& 3 man of sense and energ<) the late head of the :arm School in

5age /F1

Boston Har!or) said to me) G9 ant none of <o#r good !o<s)gi6e me the !ad ones&G

3nd this is the reason) 9 s#ppose) h<) as soon as the children are good) the mothersare scared) and think the< are going to die& Mira!ea# said) GThere are none !#t men of

strong passions capa!le of going to greatness; none !#t s#ch capa!le of meriting the

p#!lic gratit#de&G 5assion) tho#gh a !ad reg#lator) is a poerf#l spring& 3n< a!sor!ing

passion has the effect to deli6er from the little coils and cares of e6er< da<" t is the

heat hich sets o#r h#man atoms spinning) o6ercomes the friction of crossing

thresholds and first addresses in societ<) and gi6es #s a good start and speed) eas< to

contin#e hen once it is !eg#n& 9n short there is no man ho is not at some time

inde!ted to his 6ices) as no plant that is not fed from man#res& We onl< insist that the

man meliorate) and that the plant gro #pard and con6ert the !ase into the !etter

nat#re&

The ise orkman ill not regret the po6ert< or the solit#de hich !ro#ght o#t his

orking talents& The <o#th is charmed ith the fine air and accomplishments of the

children of fort#ne& $*( B#t all great men come o#t of the middle classes& T is !etter

for the head; t is !etter

5age /',

for the heart& Marc#s 3ntonin#s sa<s that :ronto told him that Gthe so.called high.

!orn are for the most part heartless;G hilst nothing is so indicati6e of deepest c#lt#re

as a tender consideration of the ignorant& Charles James :ox said of England) GThe

histor< of this co#ntr< pro6es that e are not to expect from men in affl#ent

circ#mstances the 6igilance) energ< and exertion itho#t hich the Ho#se of

Commons o#ld lose its greatest force and eight& H#man nat#re is prone to

ind#lgence) and the most meritorio#s p#!lic ser6ices ha6e ala<s !een performed !<

persons in a condition of life remo6ed from op#lence&G 3nd <et hat e ask dail<) is

to !e con6entional& S#ppl<) most kind gods this defect in m< address) in m< form) in

m< fort#nes) hich p#ts me a little o#t of the ring" s#ppl< it) and let me !e like the

rest hom 9 admire) and on good terms ith them& B#t the ise gods sa<) 7o) e

ha6e !etter things for thee& B< h#miliations) !< defeats) !< loss of s<mpath<) !< g#lfs

of disparit<) learn a ider tr#th and h#manit< than that of a fine gentleman& $* ( 3

:ifth 36en#e landlord) a West End ho#seholder) is not the highest st<le of man; and

tho#gh good hearts and so#nd minds are of no condition) <et he ho is5age /'*

to !e ise for man< m#st not !e protected& He m#st kno the h#ts here poor men

lie) and the chores hich poor men do& The first.class minds) 3Esop) Socrates)

Cer6antes) Shakspeare) :ranklin) had the poor mans feeling and mortification& 3 rich

man as ne6er ins#lted in his life; !#t this man m#st !e st#ng& 3 rich man as ne6er

in danger from cold) or h#nger& or ar) or r#ffians)and <o# can see he as not) from

the moderation of his ideas& T is a fatal disad6antage to !e cockered and to eat too

m#ch cake& What tests of manhood co#ld he stand Take him o#t of his protections&

He is a good !ook.keeper; or he is a shred ad6iser in the ins#rance office; perhaps

he co#ld pass a college examination) and take his degrees; perhaps he can gi6e ise

co#nsel in a co#rt of la& 7o plant him don among farmers) firemen) 9ndians andemigrants& Set a dog on him; set a higha<man on him; tr< him ith a co#rse of



mo!s; send him to Iansas) to 5ikes 5eak) to =regon; and if he ha6e tr#e fac#lt<) this

ma< !e the element he ants) and he ill come o#t of it ith !roader isdom and

manl< poer& $*( 3Esop) Saadi) Cer6antes) Regnard) ha6e !een taken !< corsairs) left

for dead) sold for sla6es) and kno the realities of h#man life&

5age /'/

Bad times ha6e a scientific 6al#e& These are occasions a good learner o#ld not miss&

3s e go gladl< to :ane#il Hall to !e pla<ed #pon !< the storm< inds and strong

fingers of enraged patriotism) so is a fanatical persec#tion) ci6il ar) national

!ankr#ptc< or re6ol#tion more rich in the central tones than lang#id <ears of

prosperit<& What had !een) e6er since o#r memor<) solid continent) <ans apart and

discloses its composition and genesis& We learn geolog< the morning after the

earth#ake) on ghastl< diagrams of clo6en mo#ntains) #phea6ed plains and the dr<

!ed of the sea&

9n o#r life and c#lt#re e6er<thing is orked #p and comes in #se)passion) ar)re6olt) !ankr#ptc<) and not less) foll< and !l#nders) ins#lt) enn#i and !ad compan<&

$*( 7at#re is a rag.merchant) ho orks #p e6er< shred and ort and end into ne

creations; like a good chemist hom 9 fo#nd the other da< in his la!orator<)

con6erting his old shirts into p#re hite s#gar& Life is a !o#ndless pri6ilege) and hen

<o# pa< for <o#r ticket and get into the car) <o# ha6e no g#ess hat good compan<

<o# shall find there& @o# !#< m#ch that is not rendered in the !ill& Men achie6e a

certain greatness #naares) hen orking to another aim&

5age /'-

9f no in this connection of disco#rse e sho#ld 6ent#re on la<ing don the first

o!6io#s r#les of life) 9 ill not here repeat the first r#le of econom<) alread<

propo#nded once and again) that e6er< man shall maintain himself)!#t 9 ill sa<)

get health& 7o la!or) pains) temperance) po6ert<) nor exercise) that can gain it) m#st !e

gr#dged& :or sickness is a canni!al hich eats #p all the life and <o#th it can la< hold

of) and a!sor!s its on sons and da#ghters& 9 fig#re it as a pale) ailing) distracted

phantom) a!sol#tel< selfish) heedless of hat is good and great) attenti6e to its

sensations) losing its so#l) and afflicting other so#ls ith meanness and mopings and

ith ministration to its 6oracit< of trifles& Dr& Johnson said se6erel<) GE6er< man is a

rascal as soon as he is sick&G Drop the cant) and treat it sanel<& 9n dealing ith the

dr#nken) e do not affect to !e dr#nk& We m#st treat the sick ith the same firmness)gi6ing them of co#rse e6er< aid)!#t ithholding o#rsel6es& $*( 9 once asked a

clerg<man in a retired ton) ho ere his companions hat men of a!ilit< he sa

He replied that he spent his time ith the sick and the d<ing& 9 said he seemed to me

to need #ite other compan<) and all the more that he had this; for if people ere sick

and d<ing to

5age /'0

an< p#rpose) e o#ld lea6e all and go to them) !#t as far as 9 had o!ser6ed the<

ere as fri6olo#s as the rest) and sometimes m#ch more fri6olo#s& Let #s engage o#r

companions not to spare #s& 9 kne a ise oman ho said to her friends) GWhen 9

am old) r#le me&G 3nd the !est part of health is fine disposition& 9t is more essential

than talent) e6en in the orks of talent& 7othing ill s#ppl< the ant of s#nshine to peaches) and to make knoledge 6al#a!le) <o# m#st ha6e the cheerf#lness of



isdom& Whene6er <o# are sincerel< pleased) <o# are no#rished& The Ao< of the spirit

indicates its strength& 3ll health< things are seet.tempered& >eni#s orks in sport)

and goodness smiles to the last; and for the reason that hoe6er sees the la hich

distri!#tes things) does not despond) !#t is animated to great desires and endea6ors&

He ho desponds !etra<s that he has not seen it& $*(

T is a D#tch pro6er! that Gpaint costs nothing)G s#ch are its preser6ing #alities in

damp climates& Well) s#nshine costs less) <et is finer pigment& 3nd so of cheerf#lness)

or a good temper) the more it is spent) the more of it remains& The latent heat of an

o#nce of ood or stone is inexha#sti!le& @o# ma< r#! the same chip of pine to the

point of kindling a h#ndred

5age /'F

times; and the poer of happiness of an< so#l is not to !e comp#ted or drained& 9t is

o!ser6ed that a depression of spirits de6elops the germs of a plag#e in indi6id#als and

nations&

9t is an old commendation of right !eha6ior) G3liis loet#s) sapiens si!i)G hich o#r

English pro6er! translates) GBe merr< and ise&G 9 kno ho eas< it is to men of the

orld to look gra6e and sneer at <o#r sang#ine <o#th and its glittering dreams& B#t 9

find the ga<est castles in the air that ere e6er piled) far !etter for comfort and for #se

than the d#ngeons in the air that are dail< d#g and ca6erned o#t !< gr#m!ling)

discontented people& 9 kno those misera!le fellos) and 9 hate them) ho see a !lack

star ala<s riding thro#gh the light and colored clo#ds in the sk< o6erhead; a6es of

light pass o6er and hide it for a moment) !#t the !lack star keeps fast in the ?enith&

B#t poer dells ith cheerf#lness; hope p#ts #s in a orking mood) hilst despair

is no m#se) and #nt#nes the acti6e poers& 3 man sho#ld make life and nat#re happier

to #s) or he had !etter ne6er !een !orn& When the political economist reckons #p the

#nprod#cti6e classes) he sho#ld p#t at the head this class of pitiers of themsel6es)

cra6ers of s<mpath<) !eailing imaginar<

5age /''

disasters& 3n old :rench 6erse r#ns) in m< translation"

GSome of <o#r griefs <o# ha6e c#red)

3nd the sharpest <o# still ha6e s#r6i6ed;

B#t hat torments of pain <o# end#red

:rom e6ils that ne6er arri6edG

There are three ants hich ne6er can !e satisfied" that of the rich) ho ants

something more; that of the sick) ho ants something different; and that of the

tra6eller) ho sa<s) 3n<here !#t here& The T#rkish cadi said to La<ard) G3fter the

fashion of th< people) tho# hast andered from one place to another) #ntil tho# art

happ< and content in none&G M< co#ntr<men are not less infat#ated ith the rococo

to< of 9tal<& 3ll 3merica seems on the point of em!arking for E#rope& B#t e shall

not ala<s tra6erse seas and lands ith light p#rposes) and for pleas#re) as e sa<&

=ne da< e shall cast o#t the passion for E#rope !< the passion for 3merica& C#lt#re

ill gi6e gra6it< and domestic rest to those ho no tra6el onl< as not knoing ho

else to spend mone<& 3lread<) ho pro6oke pit< like that excellent famil< part< A#st

arri6ing in their ell.appointed carriage) as far from home and an< honest end ase6er Each nation has asked s#ccessi6el<)



5age /'K

What are the< here for #ntil at last the part< are shamefaced) and anticipate the

#estion at the gates of each ton&

>enial manners are good) and poer of accommodation to an< circ#mstance; !#t thehigh pri?e of life) the croning fort#ne of a man) is to !e !orn ith a !ias to some

p#rs#it hich finds him in emplo<ment and happiness)hether it !e to make

!askets) or !roadsords) or canals) or stat#tes) or songs& 9 do#!t not this as the

meaning of Socrates) hen he prono#nced artists the onl< tr#l< ise) as !eing

act#all<) not apparentl< so&

9n childhood e fancied o#rsel6es alled in !< the hori?on) as !< a glass !ell) and

do#!ted not !< distant tra6el e sho#ld reach the !aths of the descending s#n and

stars& =n experiment the hori?on flies !efore #s and lea6es #s on an endless common)

sheltered !< no glass !ell& @ets is strange ho tenacio#sl< e cling to that !ell.

astronom< of a protecting domestic hori?on& 9 find the same ill#sion in the search after happiness hich 9 o!ser6e e6er< s#mmer recommenced in this neigh!orhood) soon

after the pairing of the !irds& The <o#ng people do not like the ton) do not like the

sea.shore) the< ill go inland; find a dear cottage deep in

5age /'+

the mo#ntains) secret as their hearts& The< set forth on their tra6els in search of a

home" the< reach Berkshire; the< reach %ermont; the< look at the farms;good

farms) high mo#ntain.sides; !#t here is the secl#sion The farm is near this) t is near

that; the< ha6e got far from Boston) !#t t is near 3l!an<) or near B#rlington) or near

Montreal& The< explore a farm) !#t the ho#se is small) old) thin; discontented people

li6ed there and are gone;theres too m#ch sk<) too m#ch o#tdoors; too p#!lic& The

<o#th aches for solit#de& When he comes to the ho#se he passes thro#gh the ho#se&

That does not make the deep recess he so#ght& 3h no 9 percei6e) he sa<s) it m#st

!e deep ith persons; friends onl< can gi6e depth& @es) !#t there is a great dearth) this

<ear) of friends; hard to find) and hard to ha6e hen fo#nd" the< are A#st going aa<;

the< too are in the hirl of the flitting orld) and ha6e engagements and necessities&

The< are A#st starting for Wisconsin; ha6e letters from Bremen;see <o# again) soon&

Slo) slo to learn the lesson that there is !#t one depth) !#t one interior) and that is

his p#rpose& $*( When Ao< or calamit< or geni#s shall sho him it) then oods) then

farms) then

5age /'1cit< shopmen and ca!dri6ers) indifferentl< ith prophet or friend) ill mirror !ack to

him its #nfathoma!le hea6en) its pop#lo#s solit#de&

The #ses of tra6el are occasional) and short; !#t the !est fr#it it finds) hen it finds it)

is con6ersation; and this is a main f#nction of life& What a difference in the hospitalit<

of minds 9nestima!le is he to hom e can sa< hat e cannot sa< to o#rsel6es&

=thers are in6ol#ntaril< h#rtf#l to #s and !erea6e #s of the poer of tho#ght)

impo#nd and imprison #s& 3s) hen there is s<mpath<) there needs !#t one ise man

in a compan< and all are ise) so a !lockhead makes a !lockhead of his companion&

$*( Wonderf#l poer to !en#m! possesses this !rother& When he comes into the office

or p#!lic room) the societ< dissol6es; one after another slips o#t) and the apartment isat his disposal& What is inc#ra!le !#t a fri6olo#s ha!it 3 fl< is as #ntama!le as a



h<ena& @et foll< in the sense of f#n) fooling or dadling can easil< !e !orne; as

Talle<rand said) G9 find nonsense sing#larl< refreshing;G !#t a 6ir#lent) aggressi6e fool

taints the reason of a ho#sehold& 9 ha6e seen a hole famil< of #iet) sensi!le people

#nhinged and !eside themsel6es) 6ictims of s#ch a rog#e& :or the stead<

rongheadedness of one per6erse person

5age /K,

irritates the !est; since e m#st ithstand a!s#rdit<& B#t resistance onl< exasperates

the acrid fool) $*( ho !elie6es that nat#re and gra6itation are #ite rong) and he

onl< is right& Hence all the do?en inmates are soon per6erted) ith hate6er 6irt#es

and ind#stries the< ha6e) into contradictors) acc#sers) explainers and repairers of this

one malefactor; like a !oat a!o#t to !e o6erset) or a carriage r#n aa< ith)not onl<

the foolish pilot or dri6er) !#t e6er<!od< on !oard is forced to ass#me strange and

ridic#lo#s attit#des) to !alance the 6ehicle and pre6ent the #psetting& :or remed<)

hilst the case is <et mild) 9 recommend phlegm and tr#th" let all the tr#th that is

spoken or done !e at the ?ero of indifferenc<) or tr#th itself ill !e foll<& $/( B#t hen

the case is seated and malignant) the onl< safet< is in amp#tation; as seamen sa<) <o#shall c#t and r#n& Ho to li6e ith #nfit companionsfor ith s#ch) life is for the

most part spent; and experience teaches little !etter than o#r earliest instinct of self.

defence) namel< not to engage) not to mix <o#rself in an< manner ith them) !#t let

their madness spend itself #nopposed&

Con6ersation is an art in hich a man has all mankind for his competitors) for it is

that hich

5age /K*

all are practising e6er< da< hile the< li6e& =#r ha!it of tho#ghttake men as the<

riseis not satisf<ing; in the common experience 9 fear it is poor and s#alid& The

s#ccess hich ill content them is a !argain) a l#crati6e emplo<ment) an ad6antage

gained o6er a competitor) a marriage) a patrimon<) a legac< and the like& With these

o!Aects) their con6ersation deals ith s#rfaces" politics) trade) personal defects)

exaggerated !ad nes and the rain& This is forlorn) and the< feel sore and sensiti6e&

7o if one comes ho can ill#minate this dark ho#se ith tho#ghts) sho them their

nati6e riches) hat gifts the< ha6e) ho indispensa!le each is) hat magical poers

o6er nat#re and men; hat access to poetr<) religion and the poers hich constit#te

character)he akes in them the feeling of orth) his s#ggestions re#ire ne a<s

of li6ing) ne !ooks) ne men) ne arts and sciences;then e come o#t of o#r egg.

shell existence into the great dome) and see the ?enith o6er and the nadir #nder #s&9nstead of the tanks and !#ckets of knoledge to hich e are dail< confined) e

come don to the shore of the sea) and dip o#r hands in its mirac#lo#s a6es& T is

onderf#l the effect on the compan<& The< are not the men the< ere&

5age /K/

The< ha6e all !een to California and all ha6e come !ack millionaires& There is no

!ook and no pleas#re in life compara!le to it& 3sk hat is !est in o#r experience) and

e shall sa<) a fe pieces of plain dealing ith ise people& =#r con6ersation once

and again has apprised #s that e !elong to !etter circles than e ha6e <et !eheld;

that a mental poer in6ites #s hose generali?ations are more orth for Ao< and for

effect than an<thing that is no called philosoph< or literat#re& 9n excited

con6ersation e ha6e glimpses of the #ni6erse) hints of poer nati6e to the so#l) far.darting lights and shados of an 3ndes landscape) s#ch as e can hardl< attain in



lone meditation& Here are oracles sometimes prof#sel< gi6en) to hich the memor<

goes !ack in !arren ho#rs&

3dd the consent of ill and temperament) and there exists the con6enant of

friendship& =#r chief ant in life is some!od< ho shall make #s do hat e can&

This is the ser6ice of a friend& With him e are easil< great& There is a s#!limeattraction in him to hate6er 6irt#e is in #s& Ho he flings ide the doors of

existence $*( What #estions e ask of him hat an #nderstanding e ha6e ho

fe ords are needed 9t is the onl< real societ<& 3n

5age /K-

Eastern poet) 3li Ben 3!# Tale!) rites ith sad tr#th"

GHe ho has a tho#sand friends has not a friend to spare)

3nd he ho has one enem< shall meet him e6er<here&G

B#t fe riters ha6e said an<thing !etter to this point than Hafi?) ho indicates this

relation as the test of mental health" GTho# learnest no secret #ntil tho# knoest

friendship) since to the #nso#nd no hea6enl< knoledge enters&G 7either is life longeno#gh for friendship& That is a serio#s and maAestic affair) like a ro<al presence) or a

religion) and not a postilions dinner to !e eaten on the r#n& There is a p#denc< a!o#t

friendship as a!o#t lo6e) and tho#gh fine so#ls ne6er lose sight of it) <et the< do not

name it& $*( With the first class of men o#r friendship or good #nderstanding goes

#ite !ehind all accidents of estrangement) of condition) of rep#tation& 3nd <et e do

not pro6ide for the greatest good of life& We take care of o#r health; e la< #p mone<;

e make o#r roof tight) and o#r clothing s#fficient; !#t ho pro6ides isel< that he

shall not !e anting in the !est propert< of allfriends We kno that all o#r training

is to fit #s for this) and e do not take the step toards it& Ho long shall e sit and

ait for these !enefactors

5age /K0

9t makes no difference) in looking !ack fi6e <ears) ho <o# ha6e !een dieted or

dressed; hether <o# ha6e !een lodged on the first floor or the attic; hether <o#

ha6e had gardens and !aths) good cattle and horses) ha6e !een carried in a neat

e#ipage or in a ridic#lo#s tr#ck" these things are forgotten so #ickl<) and lea6e no

effect& B#t it co#nts m#ch hether e ha6e had good companions in that time)

almost as m#ch as hat e ha6e !een doing& 3nd see the o6erpoering importance of

neigh!orhood in all association& 3s it is marriage) fit or #nfit) that makes o#r home) so

it is ho li6es near #s of e#al social degree)a fe people at con6enient distance)$*( no matter ho !ad compan<)these) and these onl<) shall !e <o#r lifes

companions; and all those ho are nati6e) congenial) and !< man< an oath of the heart

sacramented to <o#) are grad#all< and totall< lost& @o# cannot deal s<stematicall<

ith this fine element of societ<) and one ma< take a good deal of pains to !ring

people together and to organi?e cl#!s and de!ating.societies) and <et no res#lt come

of it& B#t it is certain that there is a great deal of good in #s that does not kno itself)

and that a ha!it of #nion and competition !rings people #p and keeps them #p to their

5age /KF

highest point; that life o#ld !e tice or ten times life if spent ith ise and fr#itf#l

companions& The o!6io#s inference is) a little #sef#l deli!eration and preconcert hen

one goes to !#< ho#se and land&



B#t e li6e ith people on other platforms; e li6e ith dependents; not onl< ith

the <o#ng hom e are to teach all e kno and clothe ith the ad6antages e ha6e

earned) !#t also ith those ho ser6e #s directl<) and for mone<& @et the old r#les

hold good& Let not the tie !e mercenar<) tho#gh the ser6ice is meas#red !< mone<&

Make <o#rself necessar< to some!od<& Do not make life hard to an<& This point is

ac#iring ne importance in 3merican social life& =#r domestic ser6ice is #s#all< afoolish fracas of #nreasona!le demand on one side and shirking on the other& 3 man of

it as asked) in the train) hat as his errand in the cit<& He replied) G9 ha6e !een

sent to proc#re an angel to do cooking&G 3 lad< complained to me that of her to

maidens) one as a!sent.minded and the other as a!sent.!odied& 3nd the e6il

increases from the ignorance and hostilit< of e6er< ship.load of the immigrant

pop#lation sarming into ho#ses and farms& :e people discern that it rests ith the

5age /K'

master or the mistress hat ser6ice comes from the man or the maid; that this

identical h#ss< as a t#telar spirit in one ho#se and a haridan in the other& 3ll sensi!le

people are selfish) and nat#re is t#gging at e6er< contract to make the terms of it fair&9f <o# are proposing onl< <o#r on) the other part< m#st deal a little hardl< !< <o#&

$*( 9f <o# deal genero#sl<) the other) tho#gh selfish and #nA#st) ill make an

exception in <o#r fa6or) and deal tr#l< ith <o#& When 9 asked an ironmaster a!o#t

the slag and cinder in railroad iron)G=)G he said) Gtheres ala<s good iron to !e

had" if theres cinder in the iron it is !eca#se there as cinder in the pa<&G

B#t h< m#ltipl< these topics) and their ill#strations) hich are endless Life !rings

to each his task) and hate6er art <o# select) alge!ra) planting) architect#re) poems)

commerce) politics)all are attaina!le) e6en to the mirac#lo#s tri#mphs) on the same

terms of selecting that for hich <o# are apt; !egin at the !eginning) proceed in order)

step !< step& T is as eas< to tist iron anchors and !raid cannons as to !raid stra; to

!oil granite as to !oil ater) if <o# take all the steps in order& Where6er there is

fail#re) there is some giddiness) some s#perstition a!o#t l#ck) some step

5age /KK

omitted) hich nat#re ne6er pardons& The happ< conditions of life ma< !e had on the

same terms& Their attraction for <o# is the pledge that the< are ithin <o#r reach& =#r

pra<ers are prophets& $*( There m#st !e fidelit<) and there m#st !e adherence& Ho

respecta!le the life that clings to its o!Aects @o#thf#l aspirations are fine things) <o#r

theories and plans of life are fair and commenda!le"!#t ill <o# stick 7ot one) 9

fear) in that Common f#ll of people) or) in a tho#sand) !#t one" and hen <o# tax themith treacher<) and remind them of their high resol#tions) the< ha6e forgotten that

the< made a 6o& The indi6id#als are f#giti6e) and in the act of !ecoming something

else) and irresponsi!le& $/( The race is great) the ideal fair) !#t the men hiffling and

#ns#re& The hero is he ho is immo6a!l< centred& The main difference !eteen

people seems to !e that one man can come #nder o!ligations on hich <o# can rel<)

is o!liga!le; and another is not& 3s he has not a la ithin him) theres nothing to tie

him to&

9t is ine6ita!le to name partic#lars of 6irt#e and of condition) and to exaggerate them&

B#t all rests at last on that integrit< hich darfs talent) and can spare it& Sanit<

consists in not



5age /K+

!eing s#!d#ed !< <o#r means& :anc< prices are paid for position and for the c#lt#re of

talent) !#t to the grand interests) s#perficial s#ccess is of no acco#nt& The man)it is

his attit#de)not feats) !#t forces)not on set da<s and p#!lic occasions) !#t at all

ho#rs) and in repose alike as in energ<) still formida!le and not to !e disposed of& The

pop#lace sa<s) ith Horne Tooke) G9f <o# o#ld !e poerf#l) pretend to !e poerf#l&G 9 prefer to sa<) ith the old prophet) GSeekest tho# great things seek them

not"G $*(or) hat as said of a Spanish prince) GThe more <o# took from him) the

greater he looked&G 5l#s on l#i te) pl#s il est grand&

The secret of c#lt#re is to learn that a fe great points steadil< reappear) alike in the

po6ert< of the o!sc#rest farm and in the miscellan< of metropolitan life) and that these

fe are alone to !e regarded;the escape from all false ties; co#rage to !e hat e

are) and lo6e of hat is simple and !ea#tif#l; independence and cheerf#l relation)

these are the essentials)these) and the ish to ser6e) to add somehat to the ell.

!eing of men& $/(


5oered !< DLS








5age $#nn#m!ered(

%999& BE3UT@W3S ne6er form and ne6er face

So seet to SE@D as onl< grace

Which did not sl#m!er like a stone

B#t ho6ered gleaming and as gone&

Bea#t< chased he e6er<here)

9n flame) in storm) in clo#ds of air&

He smote the lake to feed his e<e

With the !er<l !eam of the !roken a6e&

He fl#ng in pe!!les ell to hear

The moments m#sic hich the< ga6e&

=ft pealed for him a loft< tone:rom nodding pole and !elting ?one&



He heard a 6oice none else co#ld hear

:rom centred and from errant sphere&

The #aking earth did #ake in rh<me)

Seas e!!ed and floed in epic chime&

9n dens of passion) and pits of oe)

He sa strong Eros str#ggling thro#gh)To s#n the dark and sol6e the c#rse)

3nd !eam to the !o#nds of the #ni6erse&

While th#s to lo6e he ga6e his da<s

9n lo<al orship) scorning praise)

Ho spread their l#res for him) in 6ain)

Thie6ing 3m!ition and paltering >ain

He tho#ght it happier to !e dead)

To die for Bea#t<) than li6e for !read&

5age $#nn#m!ered(

5age $#nn#m!ered(

BE3UT@THE spiral tendenc< of 6egetation infects ed#cation also& =#r !ooks approach 6er<

slol< the things e most ish to kno& What a parade e make of o#r science) and

ho far off and at arms length it is from its o!Aects =#r !otan< is all names) not

poers" poets and romancers talk of her!s of grace and healing) !#t hat does the

!otanist kno of the 6irt#es of his eeds $*( The geologist la<s !are the strata and

can tell them all on his fingers; !#t does he kno hat effect passes into the man ho

!#ilds his ho#se in them hat effect on the race that inha!its a granite shelf hat on

the inha!itants of marl and of all#6i#m

We sho#ld go to the ornithologist ith a ne feeling if he co#ld teach #s hat the

social !irds sa< hen the< sit in the a#t#mn co#ncil) talking together in the trees& The

ant of s<mpath< makes his record a d#ll dictionar<& His res#lt is a dead !ird& The

!ird is not in its o#nces and inches) !#t in its relations to nat#re; and the skin or

skeleton <o# sho me is no more a heron than a heap of ashes or a !ottle of gases into

hich his !od< has !een

5age /+/

red#ced) is Dante or Washington& $*( The nat#ralist is led from the road !< the hole

distance of his fancied ad6ance& The !o< had A#ster 6ies hen he ga?ed at the shells

on the !each or the floers in the meado) #na!le to call them !< their names) than

the man in the pride of his nomenclat#re& 3strolog< interested #s) for it tied man to thes<stem& 9nstead of an isolated !eggar) the farthest star felt him and he felt the star&

Hoe6er rash and hoe6er falsified !< pretenders and traders in it) the hint as tr#e

and di6ine) the so#ls a6oal of its large relations) and that climate) cent#r<) remote

nat#res as ell as near) are part of its !iograph<& Chemistr< takes to pieces) !#t it does

not constr#ct& 3lchem<) hich so#ght to transm#te one element into another) to

prolong life) to arm ith poer)that as in the right direction& 3ll o#r science lacks

a h#man side& The tenant is more than the ho#se& $/( B#gs and stamens and spores) on

hich e la6ish so man< <ears) are not finalities; and man) hen his poers #nfold in

order) ill take nat#re along ith him) and emit light into all her recesses& The h#man

heart concerns #s more than the poring into microscopes) and is larger than can !e

meas#red !< the pompo#s fig#res of the astronomer&



5age /+-

We are A#st so fri6olo#s and skeptical& Men hold themsel6es cheap and 6ile; and <et a

man is a fagot of th#nder!olts& 3ll the elements po#r thro#gh his s<stem; he is the

flood of the flood and fire of the fire; he feels the antipodes and the pole as drops of

his !lood; the< are the extension of his personalit<& His d#ties are meas#red !< thatinstr#ment he is; and a right and perfect man o#ld !e felt to the centre of the

Copernican s<stem& $*( T is c#rio#s that e onl< !elie6e as deep as e li6e& We do

not think heroes can exert an< more af#l poer than that s#rface.pla< hich am#ses

#s& 3 deep man !elie6es in miracles) aits for them) !elie6es in magic) !elie6es that

the orator ill decompose his ad6ersar<; !elie6es that the e6il e<e can ither) that the

hearts !lessing can heal; that lo6e can exalt talent; can o6ercome all odds& $/( :rom a

great heart secret magnetisms flo incessantl< to dra great e6ents& B#t e pri?e 6er<

h#m!le #tilities) a pr#dent h#s!and) a good son) a 6oter) a citi?en) and deprecate an<

romance of character; and perhaps reckon onl< his mone< 6al#e) his intellect) his

affection)as a sort of !ill of exchange easil< con6erti!le into fine cham!ers)

pict#res) m#sic and ine&

5age /+0

The moti6e of science as the extension of man) on all sides) into nat#re) till his

hands sho#ld to#ch the stars) his e<es see thro#gh the earth) his ears #nderstand the

lang#age of !east and !ird) and the sense of the ind; and) thro#gh his s<mpath<)

hea6en and earth sho#ld talk ith him& B#t that is not o#r science& These geologies)

chemistries) astronomies) seem to make ise) !#t the< lea6e #s here the< fo#nd #s&

The in6ention is of #se to the in6entor) of #estiona!le help to an< other& The

form#las of science are like the papers in <o#r pocket.!ook) of no 6al#e to an< !#t the

oner& Science in England) in 3merica) is Aealo#s of theor<) hates the name of lo6e

and moral p#rpose& $*( Theres a re6enge for this inh#manit<& What manner of man

does science make The !o< is not attracted& He sa<s) 9 do not ish to !e s#ch a kind

of man as m< professor is& The collector has dried all the plants in his her!al) !#t he

has lost eight and h#mor& $/( He has got all snakes and li?ards in his phials) !#t

science has done for him also) and has p#t the man into a !ottle& =#r reliance on the

ph<sician is a kind of despair of o#rsel6es& The clerg< ha6e !ronchitis) hich does not

seem a certificate of spirit#al health& Macread< tho#ght it came of

5age /+F

the falsetto of their 6oicing& 3n 9ndian prince) Tisso) one da< riding in the forest) sa

a herd of elk sporting& GSee ho happ<)G he said) Gthese !rosing elks are Wh<sho#ld not priests) lodged and fed comforta!l< in the temples) also am#se

themsel6esG Ret#rning home) he imparted this reflection to the king& The king) on the

next da<) conferred the so6ereignt< on him) sa<ing) G5rince) administer this empire for

se6en da<s; at the termination of that period 9 shall p#t thee to death&G 3t the end of

the se6enth da< the king in#ired) G:rom hat ca#se hast tho# !ecome so emaciatedG

He ansered) G:rom the horror of death&G The monarch reAoined) GLi6e) m< child) and

!e ise& Tho# hast ceased to take recreation) sa<ing to th<self) 9n se6en da<s 9 shall !e

p#t to death& These priests in the temple incessantl< meditate on death; ho can the<

enter into healthf#l di6ersionsG B#t the men of science or the doctors or the clerg<

are not 6ictims of their p#rs#its more than others& $*( The miller) the la<er and the

merchant dedicate themsel6es to their on details) and do not come o#t men of more



force& Ha6e the< di6ination) grand aims) hospitalit< of so#l and the e#alit< to an<

e6ent hich e demand in man) or onl< the

5age /+'

reactions of the mill) of the ares) of the chicane

7o o!Aect reall< interests #s !#t man) and in man onl< his s#periorities; and tho#ghe are aare of a perfect la in nat#re) it has fascination for #s onl< thro#gh its

relation to him) or as it is rooted in the mind& 3t the !irth of Winckelmann) more than

a h#ndred <ears ago) side !< side ith this arid) departmental) post mortem science)

rose an enth#siasm in the st#d< of Bea#t<; $*( and perhaps some sparks from it ma<

<et light a conflagration in the other& Inoledge of men) knoledge of manners) the

poer of form and o#r sensi!ilit< to personal infl#ence ne6er go o#t of fashion& These

are facts of a science hich e st#d< itho#t !ook) hose teachers and s#!Aects are

ala<s near #s&

So in6eterate is o#r ha!it of criticism that m#ch of o#r knoledge in this direction

!elongs to the chapter of patholog<& The crod in the street oftener f#rnishesdegradations than angels or redeemers) !#t the< all pro6e the transparenc<& E6er<

spirit makes its ho#se) and e can gi6e a shred g#ess from the ho#se to the

inha!itant& B#t not less does nat#re f#rnish #s ith e6er< sign of grace and goodness&

$/( The delicio#s faces of children) the !ea#t< of school.girls)

5age /+K

Gthe seet serio#sness of sixteen)G the loft< air of ell.!orn) ell.!red !o<s) the

passionate histories in the looks and manners of <o#th and earl< manhood and the

6aried poer in all that ell.knon compan< that escort #s thro#gh life)e kno

ho these forms thrill) paral<?e) pro6oke) inspire and enlarge #s& $*(

Bea#t< is the form #nder hich the intellect prefers to st#d< the orld& 3ll pri6ilege is

that of !ea#t<; for there are man< !ea#ties; as) of general nat#re) of the h#man face

and form) of manners) of !rain or method) moral !ea#t< or !ea#t< of the so#l&

The ancients !elie6ed that a geni#s or demon took possession at !irth of each mortal)

to g#ide him; that these genii ere sometimes seen as a flame of fire partl< immersed

in the !odies hich the< go6erned; on an e6il man) resting on his head; in a good

man) mixed ith his s#!stance& The< tho#ght the same geni#s) at the death of its

ard) entered a ne.!orn child) and the< pretended to g#ess the pilot !< the sailing of

the ship& We recogni?e o!sc#rel< the same fact) tho#gh e gi6e it o#r on names& Wesa< that e6er< man is entitled to !e 6al#ed !< his !est moment& We meas#re o#r

friends so& We kno the< ha6e inter6als of foll<) hereof e take no

5age /++

heed) !#t ait there appearings of the geni#s) hich are s#re and !ea#tif#l& $*( =n the

other side) e6er<!od< knos people ho appear !eridden) and ho) ith all degrees

of a!ilit<) ne6er impress #s ith the air of free agenc<& The< kno it too) and peep

ith their e<es to see if <o# detect their sad plight& We fanc<) co#ld e prono#nce the

sol6ing ord and disenchant them) the clo#d o#ld roll #p) the little rider o#ld !e

disco6ered and #nseated) and the< o#ld regain their freedom& The remed< seems

ne6er to !e far off) since the first step into tho#ght lifts this mo#ntain of necessit<&Tho#ght is the pent air.!all hich can ri6e the planet) and the !ea#t< hich certain



o!Aects ha6e for him is the friendl< fire hich expands the tho#ght and ac#aints the

prisoner that li!ert< and poer aait him&

The #estion of Bea#t< takes #s o#t of s#rfaces to thinking of the fo#ndations of

things& >oethe said) GThe !ea#tif#l is a manifestation of secret las of nat#re hich)

!#t for this appearance) had !een fore6er concealed from #s&G 3nd the orking of thisdeep instinct makes all the excitementm#ch of it s#perficial and a!s#rd eno#gh

a!o#t orks of art) hich leads armies of 6ain tra6ellers e6er< <ear to 9tal<) >reece

and Eg<pt& E6er< man 6al#es e6er< ac#isition

5age /+1

he makes in the science of !ea#t<) a!o6e his possessions& The most #sef#l man in the

most #sef#l orld) so long as onl< commodit< as ser6ed) o#ld remain #nsatisfied&

B#t as fast as he sees !ea#t<) life ac#ires a 6er< high 6al#e&

9 am arned !< the ill fate of man< philosophers not to attempt a definition of Bea#t<&

9 ill rather en#merate a fe of its #alities& We ascri!e !ea#t< to that hich issimple; hich has no s#perfl#o#s parts; hich exactl< ansers its end; hich stands

related to all things; hich is the mean of man< extremes& $*( 9t is the most end#ring

#alit<) and the most ascending #alit<& We sa< lo6e is !lind) and the fig#re of C#pid

is dran ith a !andage ro#nd his e<es& Blind" <es) !eca#se he does not see hat he

does not like; !#t the sharpest.sighted h#nter in the #ni6erse is Lo6e) for finding hat

he seeks) and onl< that; and the m<thologists $/( tell #s that %#lcan as painted lame

and C#pid !lind) to call attention to the fact that one as all lim!s) and the other all

e<es& 9n the tr#e m<tholog< Lo6e is an immortal child) and Bea#t< leads him as a

g#ide" nor can e express a deeper sense than hen e sa<) Bea#t< is the pilot of the

<o#ng so#l&

Be<ond their sens#o#s delight) the forms and

5age /1,

colors of nat#re ha6e a ne charm for #s in o#r perception that not one ornament as

added for ornament) !#t each is a sign of some !etter health or more excellent action&

Elegance of form in !ird or !east) or in the h#man fig#re) marks some excellence of

str#ct#re" or) !ea#t< is onl< an in6itation from hat !elongs to #s& T is a la of

!otan< that in plants the same 6irt#es follo the same forms& 9t is a r#le of largest

application) tr#e in a plant) tr#e in a loaf of !read) that in the constr#ction of an<

fa!ric or organism an< real increase of fitness to its end is an increase of !ea#t<&

The lesson ta#ght !< the st#d< of >reek and of >othic art) of anti#e and of 5re.

Raphaelite painting) as orth all the research)namel<) that all !ea#t< m#st !e

organic; that o#tside em!ellishment is deformit<& 9t is the so#ndness of the !ones that

#ltimates itself in a peach.!loom complexion; health of constit#tion that makes the

sparkle and the poer of the e<e& T is the adA#stment of the si?e and of the Aoining of

the sockets of the skeleton that gi6es grace of o#tline and the finer grace of

mo6ement& The cat and the deer cannot mo6e or sit inelegantl<& The dancing.master

can ne6er teach a !adl< !#ilt man to alk ell& The tint of the floer proceeds

5age /1*



from its root) and the l#stres of the sea.shell !egin ith its existence& $*( Hence o#r

taste in !#ilding reAects paint) and all shifts) and shos the original grain of the ood"

ref#ses pilasters and col#mns that s#pport nothing) and allos the real s#pporters of

the ho#se honestl< to sho themsel6es& E6er< necessar< or organic action pleases the

!eholder& 3 man leading a horse to ater) a farmer soing seed) the la!ors of ha<.

makers in the field) the carpenter !#ilding a ship) the smith at his forge) or hate6er#sef#l la!or) is !ecoming to the ise e<e& $/( B#t if it is done to !e seen) it is mean&

Ho !ea#tif#l are ships on the sea !#t ships in the theatre)or ships kept for

pict#res#e effect on %irginia Water !< >eorge 9%&) and men hired to stand in fitting

cost#mes at a penn< an ho#r What a difference in effect !eteen a !attalion of troops

marching to action) and one of o#r independent companies on a holida< 9n the midst

of a militar< sho and a festal procession ga< ith !anners) 9 sa a !o< sei?e an old

tin pan that la< r#sting #nder a all) and poising it on the top of a stick) he set it

t#rning and made it descri!e the most elegant imagina!le c#r6es) and dre aa<

attention from the decorated procession !< this startling !ea#t<&

5age /1/

3nother text from the m<thologists& The >reeks fa!led that %en#s as !orn of the

foam of the sea& 7othing interests #s hich is stark or !o#nded) !#t onl< hat streams

ith life) hat is in act or endea6or to reach somehat !e<ond& The pleas#re a palace

or a temple gi6es the e<e is) that an order and method has !een comm#nicated to

stones) so that the< speak and geometri?e) !ecome tender or s#!lime ith expression&

Bea#t< is the moment of transition) as if the form ere A#st read< to flo into other

forms& 3n< fixedness) heaping or concentration on one feat#re)a long nose) a sharp

chin) a h#mp.!ack)is the re6erse of the floing) and therefore deformed& Bea#tif#l

as is the s<mmetr< of an< form) if the form can mo6e e seek a more excellent

s<mmetr<& $*( The interr#ption of e#ili!ri#m stim#lates the e<e to desire the

restoration of s<mmetr<) and to atch the steps thro#gh hich it is attained& This is

the charm of r#nning ater) sea a6es) the flight of !irds and the locomotion of

animals& This is the theor< of dancing) to reco6er contin#all< in changes the lost

e#ili!ri#m) not !< a!r#pt and ang#lar !#t !< grad#al and c#r6ing mo6ements& 9 ha6e

!een told !< persons of experience in matters of taste that the fashions follo a la of

gradation)

5age /1-

and are ne6er ar!itrar<& The ne mode is ala<s onl< a step onard in the same

direction as the last mode) and a c#lti6ated e<e is prepared for and predicts the ne

fashion& This fact s#ggests the reason of all mistakes and offence in o#r on modes& 9tis necessar< in m#sic) hen <o# strike a discord) to let don the ear !< an

intermediate note or to to the accord again; and man< a good experiment) !orn of

good sense and destined to s#cceed) fails onl< !eca#se it is offensi6el< s#dden& 9

s#ppose the 5arisian milliner ho dresses the orld from her imperio#s !o#doir ill

kno ho to reconcile the Bloomer cost#me to the e<e of mankind) and make it

tri#mphant o6er 5#nch himself) !< interposing the A#st gradations& 9 need not sa< ho

ide the same la ranges) and ho m#ch it can !e hoped to effect& 3ll that is a little

harshl< claimed !< progressi6e parties ma< easil< come to !e conceded itho#t

#estion) if this r#le !e o!ser6ed& $*( Th#s the circ#mstances ma< !e easil< imagined

in hich oman ma< speak) 6ote) arg#e ca#ses) legislate and dri6e a coach) and all

the most nat#rall< in the orld) if onl< it come !< degrees& To this streaming or



floing !elongs the !ea#t< that all circ#lar mo6ement has; as the circ#lation of

aters) the circ#lation of the !lood)

5age /10

the periodical motion of planets) the ann#al a6e of 6egetation) the action and

reaction of nat#re; and if e follo it o#t) this demand in o#r tho#ght for an e6er

onard action is the arg#ment for the immortalit<&

=ne more text from the m<thologists is to the same p#rpose)Bea#t< rides on a lion&

Bea#t< rests on necessities& The line of !ea#t< is the res#lt of perfect econom<& $*(

The cell of the !ee is !#ilt at that angle hich gi6es the most strength ith the least

ax; the !one or the #ill of the !ird gi6es the most alar strength ith the least

eight& G9t is the p#rgation of s#perfl#ities)G said Michael 3ngelo& There is not a

particle to spare in nat#ral str#ct#res& There is a compelling reason in the #ses of the

plant for e6er< no6elt< of color or form; and o#r art sa6es material !< more skilf#l

arrangement) and reaches !ea#t< !< taking e6er< s#perfl#o#s o#nce that can !e spared

from a all) and keeping all its strength in the poetr< of col#mns& 9n rhetoric) this art

of omission is a chief secret of poer) and) in general) it is proof of high c#lt#re to sa<the greatest matters in the simplest a<& $/(

%eracit< first of all) and fore6er& Rien de !ea# #e le 6rai& 9n all design) art lies in

making <o#r o!Aect prominent) !#t there is a prior art

5age /1F

in choosing o!Aects that are prominent& The fine arts ha6e nothing cas#al) !#t spring

from the instincts of the nations that created them&

Bea#t< is the #alit< hich makes to end#re& 9n a ho#se that 9 kno) 9 ha6e noticed a

!lock of spermaceti l<ing a!o#t closets and mantelpieces) for tent< <ears together)

simpl< !eca#se the tallo.man ga6e it the form of a ra!!it; and 9 s#ppose it ma<

contin#e to !e l#gged a!o#t #nchanged for a cent#r<& Let an artist scral a fe lines

or fig#res on the !ack of a letter) and that scrap of paper is resc#ed from danger) is p#t

in portfolio) is framed and gla?ed) and) in proportion to the !ea#t< of the lines dran)

ill !e kept for cent#ries& B#rns rites a cop< of 6erses and sends them to a

nespaper) and the h#man race take charge of them that the< shall not perish&

3s the fl#te is heard farther than the cart) see ho s#rel< a !ea#tif#l form strikes the

fanc< of men) and is copied and reprod#ced itho#t end& Ho man< copies are there

of the Bel6edere 3pollo) the %en#s) the 5s<che) the Warick %ase) the 5arthenon andthe Temple of %esta $*( These are o!Aects of tenderness to all& 9n o#r cities an #gl<

!#ilding is soon remo6ed and is ne6er repeated) !#t an< !ea#tif#l !#ilding is copied

and impro6ed #pon) so that all masons

5age /1'

and carpenters ork to repeat and preser6e the agreea!le forms) hilst the #gl< ones

die o#t&

The felicities of design in art or in orks of nat#re are shados or forer#nners of that

!ea#t< hich reaches its perfection in the h#man form& 3ll men are its lo6ers&

Where6er it goes it creates Ao< and hilarit<) and e6er<thing is permitted to it& 9treaches its height in oman& GTo E6e)G sa< the Mahometans) G>od ga6e to thirds of



all !ea#t<&G 3 !ea#tif#l oman is a practical poet) taming her sa6age mate) planting

tenderness) hope and elo#ence in all hom she approaches& Some fa6ors of

condition m#st go ith it) since a certain serenit< is essential) !#t e lo6e its reproofs

and s#periorities& $*( 7at#re ishes that oman sho#ld attract man) <et she often

c#nningl< mo#lds into her face a little sarcasm) hich seems to sa<) @es) 9 am illing

to attract) !#t to attract a little !etter kind of man than an< 9 <et !ehold& :renchmmoires of the sixteenth cent#r< cele!rate the name of 5a#line de %ig#ier) a 6irt#o#s

and accomplished maiden ho so fired the enth#siasm of her contemporaries !< her

enchanting form) that the citi?ens of her nati6e cit< of To#lo#se o!tained the aid of the

ci6il a#thorities to compel her to appear p#!licl<

5age /1K

on the !alcon< at least tice a eek) and as often as she shoed herself) the crod

as dangero#s to life& $*( 7ot less in England in the last cent#r< as the fame of the

>#nnings) of hom Eli?a!eth married the D#ke of Hamilton) and Maria) the Earl of

Co6entr<& Walpole sa<s) GThe conco#rse as so great) hen the D#chess of Hamilton

as presented at co#rt) on :rida<) that e6en the no!le crod in the draing.roomclam!ered on chairs and ta!les to look at her& There are mo!s at their doors to see

them get into their chairs) and people go earl< to get places at the theatres) hen it is

knon the< ill !e there&G GS#ch crods)G he adds elsehere) Gflock to see the

D#chess of Hamilton) that se6en h#ndred people sat #p all night) in and a!o#t an inn

in @orkshire) to see her get into her post.chaise next morning&G

B#t h< need e console o#rsel6es ith the fames of Helen of 3rgos) or Corinna) or

5a#line of To#lo#se) or the D#chess of Hamilton We all kno this magic 6er< ell)

or can di6ine it& 9t does not h#rt eak e<es to look into !ea#tif#l e<es ne6er so long&

Women stand related to !ea#tif#l nat#re aro#nd #s) and the enamo#red <o#th mixes

their form ith moon and stars) ith oods and aters) and the

5age /1+

pomp of s#mmer& $*( The< heal #s of akardness !< their ords and looks& We

o!ser6e their intellect#al infl#ence on the most serio#s st#dent& The< refine and clear

his mind; teach him to p#t a pleasing method into hat is dr< and diffic#lt& We talk to

them and ish to !e listened to; e fear to fatig#e them) and ac#ire a facilit< of

expression hich passes from con6ersation into ha!it of st<le& $/(

That Bea#t< is the normal state is shon !< the perpet#al effort of nat#re to attain it&

Mira!ea# had an #gl< face on a handsome gro#nd; and e see faces e6er< da< hichha6e a good t<pe !#t ha6e !een marred in the casting; a proof that e are all entitled

to !ea#t<) sho#ld ha6e !een !ea#tif#l if o#r ancestors had kept the las)as e6er<

lil< and e6er< rose is ell& B#t o#r !odies do not fit #s) !#t caricat#re and satiri?e #s&

Th#s) short legs hich constrain #s to short) mincing steps are a kind of personal

ins#lt and cont#mel< to the oner; and long stilts again p#t him at perpet#al

disad6antage) and force him to stoop to the general le6el of mankind& Martial ridic#les

a gentleman of his da< hose co#ntenance resem!led the face of a simmer seen

#nder ater& Saadi descri!es a schoolmaster Gso #gl< and cra!!ed

5age /11

that a sight of him o#ld derange the ecstasies of the orthodox&G :aces are rarel< tr#eto an< ideal t<pe) !#t are a record in sc#lpt#re of a tho#sand anecdotes of him and



foll<& 5ortrait painters sa< that most faces and forms are irreg#lar and #ns<mmetrical;

ha6e one e<e !l#e and one gra<; the nose not straight) and one sho#lder higher than

another; the hair #ne#all< distri!#ted) etc& The man is ph<sicall< as ell as

metaph<sicall< a thing of shreds and patches) !orroed #ne#all< from good and !ad

ancestors) and a misfit from the start&

3 !ea#tif#l person among the >reeks as tho#ght to !etra< !< this sign some secret

fa6or of the immortal gods; and e can pardon pride) hen a oman possesses s#ch a

fig#re that here6er she stands) or mo6es) or lea6es a shado on the all) or sits for a

portrait to the artist) she confers a fa6or on the orld& $*( 3nd <etit is not !ea#t<

that inspires the deepest passion& Bea#t< itho#t grace is the hook itho#t the !ait&

Bea#t<) itho#t expression) tires& 3!! Mnage said of the 5resident Le Baille#l that

Ghe as fit for nothing !#t to sit for his portrait&G 3 >reek epigram intimates that the

force of lo6e is not shon !< the co#rting of !ea#t<) !#t hen the like desire is

inflamed

5age -,,for one ho is ill.fa6ored& 3nd pet#lant old gentlemen) ho ha6e chanced to s#ffer

some intolera!le eariness from prett< people) or ho ha6e seen c#t floers to some

prof#sion) or ho see) after a orld of pains ha6e !een s#ccessf#ll< taken for the

cost#me) ho the least mistake in sentiment takes all the !ea#t< o#t of <o#r clothes)

affirm that the secret of #gliness consists not in irreg#larit<) !#t in !eing #ninteresting&

$*(

We lo6e an< forms) hoe6er #gl<) from hich great #alities shine& 9f command)

elo#ence) art or in6ention exist in the most deformed person) all the accidents that

#s#all< displease) please and raise esteem and onder higher& The great orator as an

emaciated) insignificant person) !#t he as all !rain& Cardinal De Ret? sa<s of De

Bo#illon) GWith the ph<siognom< of an ox) he had the perspicacit< of an eagle&G 9t

as said of Hooke) the friend of 7eton) GHe is the most) and promises the least) of

an< man in England&G GSince 9 am so #gl<)G said D# >#esclin) $/( Git !ehoo6es that 9

!e !old&G Sir 5hilip Sidne<) the darling of mankind) Ben Jonson tells #s) Gas no

pleasant man in co#ntenance) his face !eing spoiled ith pimples) and of high !lood)

and long&G Those ho

5age -,*

ha6e r#led h#man destinies like planets for tho#sands of <ears) ere not handsome

men& 9f a man can raise a small cit< to !e a great kingdom) can make !read cheap) canirrigate deserts) can Aoin oceans !< canals) can s#!d#e steam) can organi?e 6ictor<) can

lead the opinions of mankind) can enlarge knoledge)tis no matter hether his

nose is parallel to his spine) as it o#ght to !e) or hether he has a nose at all; hether

his legs are straight) or hether his legs are amp#tated" his deformities ill come to

!e reckoned ornamental and ad6antageo#s on the hole& This is the tri#mph of

expression) degrading !ea#t<) charming #s ith a poer so fine and friendl< and

intoxicating that it makes admired persons insipid) and the tho#ght of passing o#r

li6es ith them ins#pporta!le& $*( There are faces so fl#id ith expression) so fl#shed

and rippled !< the pla< of tho#ght) that e can hardl< find hat the mere feat#res

reall< are& When the delicio#s !ea#t< of lineaments loses its poer) it is !eca#se a

more delicio#s !ea#t< has appeared; that an interior and d#ra!le form has !een



disclosed& $/( Still) Bea#t< rides on her lion) as !efore& Still) Git as for !ea#t< that the

orld as made&G The li6es of the 9talian artists)

5age -,/

ho esta!lished a despotism of geni#s amidst the d#kes and kings and mo!s of their

storm< epoch) pro6e ho lo<al men in all times are to a finer !rain) a finer method

than their on& 9f a man can c#t s#ch a head on his stone gatepost as shall dra andkeep a crod a!o#t it all da<) !< its !ea#t<) good nat#re) and inscr#ta!le meaning;if

a man can !#ild a plain cottage ith s#ch s<mmetr< as to make all the fine palaces

look cheap and 6#lgar; can take s#ch ad6antages of nat#re that all her poers ser6e

him; making #se of geometr<) instead of expense; tapping a mo#ntain for his ater.

Aet; ca#sing the s#n and moon to seem onl< the decorations of his estate;this is still

the legitimate dominion of !ea#t<& $*(

The radiance of the h#man form) tho#gh sometimes astonishing) is onl< a !#rst of

!ea#t< for a fe <ears or a fe months at the perfection of <o#th) and in most) rapidl<

declines& B#t e remain lo6ers of it) onl< transferring o#r interest to interior

excellence& 3nd it is not onl< admira!le in sing#lar and salient talents) !#t also in theorld of manners&

B#t the so6ereign attri!#te remains to !e noted& Things are prett<) gracef#l) rich)

elegant) handsome) !#t) #ntil the< speak to the imagination)

5age -,-

not <et !ea#tif#l& This is the reason h< !ea#t< is still escaping o#t of all anal<sis& 9t

is not <et possessed) it cannot !e handled& 5rocl#s sa<s) G9t sims on the light of

forms&G 9t is properl< not in the form) !#t in the mind& 9t instantl< deserts possession)

and flies to an o!Aect in the hori?on& $*( 9f 9 co#ld p#t m< hand on the 7orth Star)

o#ld it !e as !ea#tif#l The sea is lo6el<) !#t hen e !athe in it the !ea#t< forsakes

all the near ater& :or the imagination and senses cannot !e gratified at the same time&

Wordsorth rightl< speaks of Ga light that ne6er as on sea or land)G meaning that it

as s#pplied !< the o!ser6er; and the Welsh !ard arns his co#ntr<omen) that

GHalf of their charms ith Cadallon shall die&G $/(

The ne 6irt#e hich constit#tes a thing !ea#tif#l is a certain cosmical #alit<) or a

poer to s#ggest relation to the hole orld) and so lift the o!Aect o#t of a pitif#l

indi6id#alit<& E6er< nat#ral feat#resea) sk<) rain!o) floers) m#sical tonehas in

it somehat hich is not pri6ate !#t #ni6ersal) speaks of that central !enefit hich is

the so#l of nat#re) and there!< is !ea#tif#l& $-( 3nd in chosen men and omen 9 find

somehat in form) speech and manners)5age -,0

hich is not of their person and famil<) !#t of a h#mane) catholic and spirit#al

character) and e lo6e them as the sk<& The< ha6e a largeness of s#ggestion) and their

face and manners carr< a certain grande#r) like time and A#stice& $*(

The feat of the imagination is in shoing the con6erti!ilit< of e6er< thing into e6er<

other thing& :acts hich had ne6er !efore left their stark common sense s#ddenl<

fig#re as Ele#sinian m<steries& M< !oots and chair and candlestick are fairies in

disg#ise) meteors and constellations& 3ll the facts in nat#re are no#ns of the intellect)

and make the grammar of the eternal lang#age& E6er< ord has a do#!le) tre!le or

cent#ple #se and meaning& What has m< sto6e and pepper.pot a false !ottom 9 cr<<o# merc<) good shoe.!ox 9 did not kno <o# ere a Aeel.case& Chaff and d#st



!egin to sparkle) and are clothed a!o#t ith immortalit<& $/( 3nd there is a Ao< in

percei6ing the representati6e or s<m!olic character of a fact) hich no !are fact or

e6ent can e6er gi6e& There are no da<s in life so memora!le as those hich 6i!rated to

some stroke of the imagination&

The poets are #ite right in decking their mistresses ith the spoils of the landscape)floer.gardens) gems) rain!os) fl#shes of morning and

5age -,F

stars of night) since all !ea#t< points at identit<; and hatsoe6er thing does not

express to me the sea and sk<) da< and night) is somehat for!idden and rong& 9nto

e6er< !ea#tif#l o!Aect there enters somehat immeas#ra!le and di6ine) and A#st as

m#ch into form !o#nded !< o#tlines) like mo#ntains on the hori?on) as into tones of

m#sic or depths of space& 5olari?ed light shoed the secret architect#re of !odies; and

hen the second.sight of the mind is opened) no one color or form or gest#re) and

no another) has a p#ngenc<) as if a more interior ra< had !een emitted) disclosing its

deep holdings in the frame of things&

The las of this translation e do not kno) or h< one feat#re or gest#re enchants)

h< one ord or s<lla!le intoxicates; !#t the fact is familiar that the fine to#ch of the

e<e) or a grace of manners) or a phrase of poetr<) plants ings at o#r sho#lders; as if

the Di6init<) in his approaches) lifts aa< mo#ntains of o!str#ction) and deigns to

dra a tr#er line) hich the mind knos and ons& This is that ha#ght< force of

!ea#t<) G6is s#per!a formoe)G hich the poets praise)#nder calm and precise o#tline

the immeas#ra!le and di6ine; Bea#t< hiding all isdom and poer in its calm sk<& $*(

5age -,'

3ll high !ea#t< has a moral element in it) and 9 find the anti#e sc#lpt#re as ethical as

Marc#s 3ntonin#s; and the !ea#t< e6er in proportion to the depth of tho#ght& >ross

and o!sc#re nat#res) hoe6er decorated) seem imp#re sham!les; !#t character gi6es

splendor to <o#th and ae to rinkled skin and gra< hairs& 3n adorer of tr#th e

cannot choose !#t o!e<) and the oman ho has shared ith #s the moral sentiment)

her locks m#st appear to #s s#!lime& Th#s there is a clim!ing scale of c#lt#re) from

the first agreea!le sensation hich a sparkling gem or a scarlet stain affords the e<e)

#p thro#gh fair o#tlines and details of the landscape) feat#res of the h#man face and

form) signs and tokens of tho#ght and character in manners) #p to the ineffa!le

m<steries of the intellect& Where6er e !egin) thither o#r steps tend" an ascent fromthe Ao< of a horse in his trappings) #p to the perception of 7eton that the glo!e on

hich e ride is onl< a larger apple falling from a larger tree; #p to the perception of

5lato that glo!e and #ni6erse are r#de and earl< expressions of an all.dissol6ing

Unit<)the first stair on the scale to the temple of the Mind&


5oered !< DLS

To comment or in#ire a!o#t content) contact UMDL HelpTo report errors) contact UMDL Help








5age $#nn#m!ered(

9& 9LLUS9=7S

:L=W) flo the a6es hated)

3cc#rsed) adored)

The a6es of m#tation"

7o anchorage is&Sleep is not) death is not;

Who seem to die li6e&

Ho#se <o# ere !orn in)

:riends of <o#r spring.time)

=ld man and <o#ng maid)

Da<s toil and its g#erdon)

The< are all 6anishing)

:leeing to fa!les)

Cannot !e moored&

See the stars thro#gh them)

Thro#gh treachero#s mar!les&

Ino) the stars <onder)

The stars e6erlasting)

3re f#giti6e also)

3nd em#late) 6a#lted)

The lam!ent heat.lightning)

3nd fire.fl<s flight&

When tho# dost ret#rn

=n the a6es circ#lation)

Beholding the shimmer)

The ild dissipation)5age -,+

3nd) o#t of endea6or

To change and to flo)

The gas !ecome solid)

3nd phantoms and nothings

Ret#rn to !e things)

3nd endless im!roglio

9s la and the orld)

Then first shalt tho# kno)

That in the ild t#rmoil)

Horsed on the 5rote#s)Tho# ridest to poer)



3nd to end#rance&

5age $#nn#m!ered(

9LLUS9=7S

S=ME <ears ago) in compan< ith an agreea!le part<) 9 spent a long s#mmer da< in

exploring the Mammoth Ca6e in Ient#ck<& We tra6ersed) thro#gh spacio#s galleries

affording a solid masonr< fo#ndation for the ton and co#nt< o6erhead) the six oreight !lack miles from the mo#th of the ca6ern to the innermost recess hich to#rists

6isit)a niche or grotto made of one seamless stalactite) and called) 9 !elie6e)

Serenas Boer& 9 lost the light of one da<& 9 sa high domes and !ottomless pits;

heard the 6oice of #nseen aterfalls; paddled three #arters of a mile in the deep Echo

Ri6er) hose aters are peopled ith the !lind fish; crossed the streams GLetheG and

GSt<x;G plied ith m#sic and g#ns the echoes in these alarming galleries; sa e6er<

form of stalagmite and stalactite in the sc#lpt#red and fretted cham!ers;icicle)

orange.floer) acanth#s) grapes and sno!all& We shot Bengal lights into the 6a#lts

and groins of the sparr< cathedrals and examined all the masterpieces hich the fo#r

com!ined engineers) ater) limestone) gra6itation and time) co#ld make in the dark&

5age -*,

The m<steries and scener< of the ca6e had the same dignit< that !elongs to all nat#ral

o!Aects) and hich shames the fine things to hich e foppishl< compare them& 9

remarked especiall< the mimetic ha!it ith hich nat#re) on ne instr#ments) h#ms

her old t#nes) making night to mimic da<) and chemistr< to ape 6egetation& B#t 9 then

took notice and still chiefl< remem!er that the !est thing hich the ca6e had to offer

as an ill#sion& $*( =n arri6ing at hat is called the GStar.Cham!er)G o#r lamps ere

taken from #s !< the g#ide and exting#ished or p#t aside) and) on looking #pards) 9

sa or seemed to see the night hea6en thick ith stars glimmering more or less

!rightl< o6er o#r heads) and e6en hat seemed a comet flaming among them& 3ll the

part< ere to#ched ith astonishment and pleas#re& =#r m#sical friends s#ng ith

m#ch feeling a prett< song) GThe stars are in the #iet sk<)G etc&) and 9 sat don on the

rock< floor to enAo< the serene pict#re& Some cr<stal specks in the !lack ceiling high

o6erhead) reflecting the light of a half.hid lamp) <ielded this magnificent effect&

9 on 9 did not like the ca6e so ell for eking o#t its s#!limities ith this theatrical

trick& B#t 9 ha6e had man< experiences like it)

5age -**

!efore and since; and e m#st !e content to !e pleased itho#t too c#rio#sl<anal<?ing the occasions& =#r con6ersation ith nat#re is not A#st hat it seems& The

clo#d.rack) the s#nrise and s#nset glories) rain!os and 7orthern Lights are not #ite

so spheral as o#r childhood tho#ght them) and the part o#r organi?ation pla<s in them

is too large& The senses interfere e6er<here and mix their on str#ct#re ith all the<

report of& =nce e fancied the earth a plane) and stationar<& 9n admiring the s#nset e

do not <et ded#ct the ro#nding) coNrdinating) pictorial poers of the e<e& $*(

The same interference from o#r organi?ation creates the most of o#r pleas#re and

pain& =#r first mistake is the !elief that the circ#mstance gi6es the Ao< hich e gi6e

to the circ#mstance& Life is an ecstas<& Life is seet as nitro#s oxide; and the

fisherman dripping all da< o6er a cold pond) the sitchman at the raila<intersection) the farmer in the field) the negro in the rice.samp) the fop in the street)



the h#nter in the oods) the !arrister ith the A#r<) the !elle at the !all) all ascri!e a

certain pleas#re to their emplo<ment) hich the< themsel6es gi6e it& Health and

appetite impart the seetness to s#gar) !read and meat& We fanc< that

5age -*/

o#r ci6ili?ation has got on far) !#t e still come !ack to o#r primers&

We li6e !< o#r imaginations) !< o#r admirations) !< o#r sentiments& The child alks

amid heaps of ill#sions) hich he does not like to ha6e dist#r!ed& $*( The !o<) ho

seet to him is his fanc< ho dear the stor< of !arons and !attles What a hero he is)

hilst he feeds on his heroes What a de!t is his to imaginati6e !ooks He has no

!etter friend or infl#ence than Scott) Shakspeare) 5l#tarch and Homer& $/( The man

li6es to other o!Aects) !#t ho dare affirm that the< are more real E6en the prose of

the streets is f#ll of refractions& 9n the life of the dreariest alderman) fanc< enters into

all details and colors them ith ros< h#e& He imitates the air and actions of people

hom he admires) and is raised in his on e<es& He pa<s a de!t #icker to a rich man

than to a poor man& He ishes the !o and compliment of some leader in the state orin societ<; eighs hat he sa<s; perhaps he ne6er comes nearer to him for that) !#t

dies at last !etter contended for this am#sement of his e<es and his fanc<&

The orld rolls) the din of life is ne6er h#shed& 9n London) in 5aris) in Boston) in San

:rancisco) the carni6al) the mas#erade is

5age -*-

at its height& 7o!od< drops his domino& The #nities) the fictions of the piece it o#ld

!e an impertinence to !reak& The chapter of fascinations is 6er< long& >reat is paint;

na<) >od is the painter; and e rightl< acc#se the critic ho destro<s too man<

ill#sions& Societ< does not lo6e its #nmaskers& 9t as ittil< if somehat !itterl< said

!< D3lem!ert) $*( G##n tat de 6ape#r tait #n tat trs fQche#x) parce#il no#s

faisait 6oir les choses comme elles sont&G 9 find men 6ictims of ill#sion in all parts of

life& Children) <o#ths) ad#lts and old men) all are led !< one !a!le or another&

@oganidra) the goddess of ill#sion) 5rote#s) or Mom#s) or ><lfis Mocking) $/(for

the 5oer has man< names)is stronger than the Titans) stronger than 3pollo& :e

ha6e o6erheard the gods or s#rprised their secret& Life is a s#ccession of lessons

hich m#st !e li6ed to !e #nderstood& 3ll is riddle) and the ke< to a riddle is another

riddle& $-( There are as man< pillos of ill#sion as flakes in a sno.storm& We ake

from one dream into another dream& The to<s to !e s#re are 6ario#s) and are grad#ated

in refinement to the #alit< of the d#pe& The intellect#al man re#ires a fine !ait; thesots are easil< am#sed& B#t e6er<!od< is dr#gged ith his on fren?<)

5age -*0

and the pageant marches at all ho#rs) ith m#sic and !anner and !adge&

3mid the Ao<o#s troop ho gi6e in to the chari6ari) comes no and then a sad.e<ed

!o< hose e<es lack the re#isite refractions to clothe the sho in d#e glor<) and ho

is afflicted ith a tendenc< to trace home the glittering miscellan< of fr#its and

floers to one root& $*( Science is a search after identit<) and the scientific him is

l#rking in all corners& 3t the State :air a friend of mine complained that all the

6arieties of fanc< pears in o#r orchards seem to ha6e !een selected !< some!od< ho

had a him for a partic#lar kind of pear) and onl< c#lti6ated s#ch as had that perf#me;the< ere all alike& 3nd 9 remem!er the #arrel of another <o#th ith the



confectioners) that hen he racked his it to choose the !est comfits in the shops) in

all the endless 6arieties of seetmeat he co#ld find onl< three fla6ors) or to& $/(

What then 5ears and cakes are good for something; and !eca#se <o# #nl#ckil< ha6e

an e<e or nose too keen) h< need <o# spoil the comfort hich the rest of #s find in

them 9 kne a h#morist ho in a good deal of rattle had a grain or to of sense& He

shocked the compan< !< maintaining that the attri!#tes of >od ere to)poer andrisi!ilit<) and that it

5age -*F

as the d#t< of e6er< pio#s man to keep #p the comed<& 3nd 9 ha6e knon gentlemen

of great stake in the comm#nit<) !#t hose s<mpathies ere cold)presidents of

colleges and go6ernors and senators)ho held themsel6es !o#nd to sign e6er<

temperance pledge) and act ith Bi!le societies and missions and peace.makers) and

cr< Hist.a.!o< to e6er< good dog& We m#st not carr< comit< too far) !#t e all ha6e

kind imp#lses in this direction& $*( When the !o<s come into m< <ard for lea6e to

gather horse.chestn#ts) 9 on 9 enter into nat#res game) and affect to grant the

permission rel#ctantl<) fearing that an< moment the< ill find o#t the impost#re ofthat sho< chaff& $/( B#t this tenderness is #ite #nnecessar<; the enchantments are

laid on 6er< thick& Their <o#ng life is thatched ith them& Bare and grim to tears is

the lot of the children in the ho6el 9 sa <esterda<; <et not the less the< h#ng it ro#nd

ith fripper< romance) like the children of the happiest fort#ne) and talked of Gthe

dear cottage here so man< Ao<f#l ho#rs had flon&G Well) this thatching of ho6els is

the c#stom of the co#ntr<& Women) more than all) are the element and kingdom of

ill#sion& Being fascinated) the< fascinate& $-( The< see thro#gh Cla#de.Lorraines& 3nd

ho dare an< one) if he

5age -*'

co#ld) pl#ck aa< the co#lisses) stage effects and ceremonies) !< hich the< li6e

Too pathetic) too pitia!le) is the region of affection) and its atmosphere ala<s lia!le

to mirage&

We are not 6er< m#ch to !lame for o#r !ad marriages& We li6e amid hall#cinations;

and this especial trap is laid to trip #p o#r feet ith) and all are tripped #p first or last&

B#t the might< Mother ho had !een so sl< ith #s) as if she felt that she oed #s

some indemnit<) insin#ates into the 5andora.!ox of marriage some deep and serio#s

!enefits and some great Ao<s& We find a delight in the !ea#t< and happiness of

children that makes the heart too !ig for the !od<& 9n the orst.assorted connections

there is e6er some mixt#re of tr#e marriage& Teag#e and his Aade get some A#st

relations of m#t#al respect) kindl< o!ser6ation) and fostering of each other; learnsomething) and o#ld carr< themsel6es iselier if the< ere no to !egin&

T is fine for #s to point at one or another fine madman) as if there ere an< exempts&

The scholar in his li!rar< is none& 9) ho ha6e all m< life heard an< n#m!er of

orations and de!ates) read poems and miscellaneo#s !ooks) con6ersed ith man<

geni#ses) am still the 6ictim of an< ne page; and if Marmad#ke) or H#gh) or

5age -*K

Moosehead) or an< other) in6ent a ne st<le or m<tholog<) 9 fanc< that the orld ill

!e all !ra6e and right if dressed in these colors) hich 9 had not tho#ght of& Then at

once 9 ill da#! ith this ne paint; !#t it ill not stick& T is like the cement hich



the peddler sells at the door; he makes !roken crocker< hold ith it) !#t <o# can ne6er

!#< of him a !it of the cement hich ill make it hold hen he is gone&

Men ho make themsel6es felt in the orld a6ail themsel6es of a certain fate in their

constit#tion hich the< kno ho to #se& B#t the< ne6er deepl< interest #s #nless

the< lift a corner of the c#rtain) or !etra<) ne6er so slightl<) their penetration of hat is !ehind it& T is the charm of practical men that o#tside of their practicalit< are a

certain poetr< and pla<) as if the< led the good horse 5oer !< the !ridle) and

preferred to alk) tho#gh the< can ride so fiercel<& Bonaparte is intellect#al) as ell as

Caesar; and the !est soldiers) sea.captains and raila< men ha6e a gentleness hen

off d#t<) a good.nat#red admission that there are ill#sions) and ho shall sa< that he is

not their sport $*( We stigmati?e the cast.iron fellos ho cannot so detach

themsel6es) as Gdragon.ridden)G Gth#nder.stricken)G and fools of fate) ith hate6er

poers endoed&

5age -*+Since o#r t#ition is thro#gh em!lems and indirections) it is ell to kno that there is

method in it) a fixed scale and rank a!o6e rank in the phantasms& $*( We !egin lo

ith coarse masks and rise to the most s#!tle and !ea#tif#l& The red men told

Col#m!#s Gthe< had an her! hich took aa< fatig#e;G !#t he fo#nd the ill#sion of

Garri6ing from the east at the 9ndiesG more composing to his loft< spirit than an<

to!acco& 9s not o#r faith in the impenetra!ilit< of matter more sedati6e than narcotics

@o# pla< ith Aackstras) !alls) !ols) horse and g#n) estates and politics; !#t there

are finer games !efore <o#& 9s not time a prett< to< Life ill sho <o# masks that are

orth all <o#r carni6als& @onder mo#ntain m#st migrate into <o#r mind& The fine star.

d#st and ne!#lo#s !l#r in =rion) Gthe portento#s <ear of Mi?ar and 3lcor)G m#st come

don and !e dealt ith in <o#r ho#sehold tho#ght& $/( What if <o# shall come to

discern that the pla< and pla<gro#nd of all this pompo#s histor< are radiations from

<o#rself) and that the s#n !orros his !eams What terri!le #estions e are learning

to ask The former men !elie6ed in magic) !< hich temples) cities and men ere

salloed #p) and all trace of them gone& We are coming on the secret of a magic

5age -*1

hich seeps o#t of mens minds all 6estige of theism and !eliefs hich the< and

their fathers held and ere framed #pon&

There are deceptions of the senses) deceptions of the passions) and the str#ct#ral)

!eneficent ill#sions of sentiment and of the intellect& There is the ill#sion of lo6e)hich attri!#tes to the !elo6ed person all hich that person shares ith his or her

famil<) sex) age or condition) na<) ith the h#man mind itself& T is these hich the

lo6er lo6es) and 3nna Matilda gets the credit of them& $*( 3s if one sh#t #p ala<s in

a toer) ith one indo thro#gh hich the face of hea6en and earth co#ld !e seen)

sho#ld fanc< that all the mar6els he !eheld !elonged to that indo& There is the

ill#sion of time) hich is 6er< deep; ho has disposed of itor come to the

con6iction that hat seems the s#ccession of tho#ght is onl< the distri!#tion of

holes into ca#sal series $/( The intellect sees that e6er< atom carries the hole of

nat#re; that the mind opens to omnipotence; that) in the endless stri6ing and ascents)

the metamorphosis is entire) so that the so#l doth not kno itself in its on act hen

that act is perfected& There is ill#sion that shall decei6e e6en the elect& There isill#sion that shall decei6e e6en the performer



5age -/,

of the miracle& Tho#gh he make his !od<) he denies that he makes it& Tho#gh the

orld exist from tho#ght) tho#ght is da#nted in presence of the orld& $*( =ne after

the other e accept the mental las) still resisting those hich follo) hich hoe6er

m#st !e accepted& B#t all o#r concessions onl< compel #s to ne prof#sion& 3nd hata6ails it that science has come to treat space and time as simpl< forms of tho#ght) and

the material orld as h<pothetical) and ithal o#r pretension of propert< and e6en of

self.hood are fading ith the rest) $/( if) at last) e6en o#r tho#ghts are not finalities)

!#t the incessant floing and ascension reach these also) and each tho#ght hich

<esterda< as a finalit<) to.da< is <ielding to a larger generali?ation

With s#ch 6olatile elements to ork in) t is no onder if o#r estimates are loose and

floating& We m#st ork and affirm) !#t e ha6e no g#ess of the 6al#e of hat e sa<

or do& The clo#d is no as !ig as <o#r hand) and no it co6ers a co#nt<& That stor< of

Thor) ho as set to drain the drinking.horn in 3sgard and to restle ith the old

oman and to r#n ith the r#nner Lok) and presentl< fo#nd that he had !een drinking#p the sea) and restling ith Time) and racing ith Tho#ght)descri!es #s)

5age -/*

ho are contending) amid these seeming trifles) ith the s#preme energies of nat#re&

We fanc< e ha6e fallen into !ad compan< and s#alid condition) lo de!ts) shoe.

!ills) !roken glass to pa< for) pots to !#<) !#tchers meat) s#gar) milk and coal& Set me

some great task) <e gods and 9 ill sho m< spirit& 7ot so) sa<s the good Hea6en;

plod and plo#gh) 6amp <o#r old coats and hats) ea6e a shoestring; great affairs and

the !est ine !< and !<& Well) t is all phantasm; and if e ea6e a <ard of tape in all

h#milit< and as ell as e can) long hereafter e shall see it as no cotton tape at all

!#t some galax< hich e !raided) and that the threads ere Time and 7at#re&

We cannot rite the order of the 6aria!le inds& Ho can e penetrate the la of o#r

shifting moods and s#scepti!ilit< @et the< differ as all and nothing& 9nstead of the

firmament of <esterda<) hich o#r e<es re#ire) it is to.da< an egg.shell hich coops

#s in; e cannot e6en see hat or here o#r stars of destin< are& :rom da< to da< the

capital facts of h#man life are hidden from o#r e<es& S#ddenl< the mist rolls #p and

re6eals them) and e think ho m#ch good time is gone that might ha6e !een sa6ed

had an< hint of these things !een shon&

5age -//3 s#dden rise in the road shos #s the s<stem of mo#ntains) and all the s#mmits)

hich ha6e !een A#st as near #s all the <ear) !#t #ite o#t of mind& $*( B#t these

alternations are not itho#t their order) and e are parties to o#r 6ario#s fort#ne& 9f

life seem a s#ccession of dreams) <et poetic A#stice is done in dreams also& The 6isions

of good men are good; it is the #ndisciplined ill that is hipped ith !ad tho#ghts

and !ad fort#nes& $/( When e !reak the las) e lose o#r hold on the central realit<&

Like sick men in hospitals) e change onl< from !ed to !ed) from one foll< to

another; and it cannot signif< m#ch hat !ecomes of s#ch castaa<s) ailing) st#pid)

comatose creat#res) lifted from !ed to !ed) from the nothing of life to the nothing of

death&



9n this kingdom of ill#sions e grope eagerl< for sta<s and fo#ndations& There is none

!#t a strict and faithf#l dealing at home and a se6ere !arring o#t of all d#plicit< or

ill#sion there& Whate6er games are pla<ed ith #s) e m#st pla< no games ith

o#rsel6es) !#t deal in o#r pri6ac< ith the last honest< and tr#th& $-( 9 look #pon the

simple and childish 6irt#es of 6eracit< and honest< as the root of all that is s#!lime in

character& Speak as <o# think) !e hat <o# are)

5age -/-

pa< <o#r de!ts of all kinds& 9 prefer to !e oned as so#nd and sol6ent) and m< ord

as good as m< !ond) and to !e hat cannot !e skipped) or dissipated) or #ndermined)

to all the clat in the #ni6erse& This realit< is the fo#ndation of friendship) religion)

poetr< and art& 3t the top or at the !ottom of all ill#sions) 9 set the cheat hich still

leads #s to ork and li6e for appearances; in spite of o#r con6iction) in all sane ho#rs)

that it is hat e reall< are that a6ails ith friends) ith strangers) and ith fate or

fort#ne&

=ne o#ld think from the talk of men that riches and po6ert< ere a great matter; ando#r ci6ili?ation mainl< respects it& B#t the 9ndians sa< that the< do not think the hite

man) ith his !ro of care) ala<s toiling) afraid of heat and cold) and keeping ithin

doors) has an< ad6antage of them& The permanent interest of e6er< man is ne6er to !e

in a false position) !#t to ha6e the eight of nat#re to !ack him in all that he does&

Riches and po6ert< are a thick or thin cost#me; and o#r lifethe life of all of #s

identical& :or e transcend the circ#mstance contin#all< and taste the real #alit< of

existence; as in o#r emplo<ments) hich onl< differ in the manifestations !#t express

the same

5age -/0

las; or in o#r tho#ghts) hich ear no silks and taste no ice.creams& We see >od

face to face e6er< ho#r) and kno the sa6or of nat#re&

The earl< >reek philosophers Heraclit#s and enophanes meas#red their force on this

pro!lem of identit<& Diogenes of 3pollonia said that #nless the atoms ere made of

one st#ff) the< co#ld ne6er !lend and act ith one another& $*( B#t the Hindoos) in

their sacred ritings) express the li6eliest feeling) !oth of the essential identit< and of

that ill#sion hich the< concei6e 6ariet< to !e& GThe notions) 9 am) and This is mine)

hich infl#ence mankind) are !#t del#sions of the mother of the orld& Dispel) =

Lord of all creat#res the conceit of knoledge hich proceeds from ignorance&G $/(

3nd the !eatit#de of man the< hold to lie in !eing freed from fascination&

The intellect is stim#lated !< the statement of tr#th in a trope) and the ill !< clothing

the las of life in ill#sions& B#t the #nities of Tr#th and of Right are not !roken !< the

disg#ise& There need ne6er !e an< conf#sion in these& 9n a croded life of man< parts

and performers) on a stage of nations) or in the o!sc#rest hamlet in Maine or

California) the same elements offer the same choices to each ne

5age -/F

comer) and) according to his election) he fixes his fort#ne in a!sol#te 7at#re& $*( 9t

o#ld !e hard to p#t more mental and moral philosoph< than the 5ersians ha6e

thron into a sentence)G:ooled tho# m#st !e) tho#gh isest of the ise"



Then !e the fool of 6irt#e) not of 6ice&G

There is no chance and no anarch< in the #ni6erse& 3ll is s<stem and gradation& E6er<

god is there sitting in his sphere& The <o#ng mortal enters the hall of the firmament;

there is he alone ith them alone) the< po#ring on him !enedictions and gifts) and

!eckoning him #p to their thrones& =n the instant) and incessantl<) fall sno.storms of ill#sions& He fancies himself in a 6ast crod hich sa<s this a< and that and

hose mo6ement and doings he m#st o!e<" he fancies himself poor) orphaned)

insignificant& The mad crod dri6es hither and thither) no f#rio#sl< commanding

this thing to !e done) no that& What is he that he sho#ld resist their ill) and think or

act for himself E6er< moment ne changes and ne shoers of deceptions to !affle

and distract him& 3nd hen) !< and !<) for an instant) the air clears and the clo#d lifts

a little) there are the gods still sitting aro#nd him on their thrones)the< alone ith

him alone& $/(

5age $#nn#m!ered(


5oered !< DLS



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The Conduct of Life Ralph Waldo Emerson