第4章

FRIENDSHIP

AruddydropofmanlybloodThesurgingseaoutweighs，Theworlduncertaincomesandgoes，Theloverrootedstays。

Ifanciedhewasfled，And，aftermanyayear，GlowedunexhaustedkindlinessLikedailysunrisethere。

Mycarefulheartwasfreeagain，——

Ofriend，mybosomsaid，Throughtheealonetheskyisarched，Throughtheetheroseisred，Allthingsthroughtheetakenoblerform，Andlookbeyondtheearth，Andisthemill-roundofourfateAsun-pathinthyworth。

MetoothynoblenesshastaughtTomastermydespair；

ThefountainsofmyhiddenlifeArethroughthyfriendshipfair。

ESSAYVI_Friendship_

Wehaveagreatselfishnessthatchillslikeeastwindstheworld，thewholehumanfamilyisbathedwithanelementoflovelikeafineether。Howmanypersonswemeetinhouses，whomwescarcelyspeakto，whomyetwehonor，andwhohonorus！Howmanyweseeinthestreet，orsitwithinchurch，whom，thoughsilently，wewarmlyrejoicetobewith！Readthelanguageofthesewanderingeye-beams。

Theheartknoweth。

Theeffectoftheindulgenceofthishumanaffectionisacertaincordialexhilaration。Inpoetry，andincommonspeech，theemotionsofbenevolenceandcomplacencywhicharefelttowardsothersarelikenedtothematerialeffectsoffire；soswift，ormuchmoreswift，moreactive，morecheering，arethesefineinwardirradiations。Fromthehighestdegreeofpassionatelove，tothelowestdegreeofgood-will，theymakethesweetnessoflife。

Ourintellectualandactivepowersincreasewithouraffection。

Thescholarsitsdowntowrite，andallhisyearsofmeditationdonotfurnishhimwithonegoodthoughtorhappyexpression；butitisnecessarytowritealettertoafriend，——and，forthwith，troopsofgentlethoughtsinvestthemselves，oneveryhand，withchosenwords。

See，inanyhousewherevirtueandself-respectabide，thepalpitationwhichtheapproachofastrangercauses。Acommendedstrangerisexpectedandannounced，andanuneasinessbetwixtpleasureandpaininvadesalltheheartsofahousehold。Hisarrivalalmostbringsfeartothegoodheartsthatwouldwelcomehim。Thehouseisdusted，allthingsflyintotheirplaces，theoldcoatisexchangedforthenew，andtheymustgetupadinneriftheycan。Ofacommendedstranger，onlythegoodreportistoldbyothers，onlythegoodandnewisheardbyus。Hestandstousforhumanity。Heiswhatwewish。Havingimaginedandinvestedhim，weaskhowweshouldstandrelatedinconversationandactionwithsuchaman，andareuneasywithfear。Thesameideaexaltsconversationwithhim。

Wetalkbetterthanwearewont。Wehavethenimblestfancy，arichermemory，andourdumbdevilhastakenleaveforthetime。Forlonghourswecancontinueaseriesofsincere，graceful，richcommunications，drawnfromtheoldest，secretestexperience，sothattheywhositby，ofourownkinsfolkandacquaintance，shallfeelalivelysurpriseatourunusualpowers。Butassoonasthestrangerbeginstointrudehispartialities，hisdefinitions，hisdefects，intotheconversation，itisallover。Hehasheardthefirst，thelastandbesthewilleverhearfromus。Heisnostrangernow。

Vulgarity，ignorance，misapprehensionareoldacquaintances。Now，whenhecomes，hemaygettheorder，thedress，andthedinner，——

butthethrobbingoftheheart，andthecommunicationsofthesoul，nomore。

Whatissopleasantasthesejetsofaffectionwhichmakeayoungworldformeagain？Whatsodeliciousasajustandfirmencounteroftwo，inathought，inafeeling？Howbeautiful，ontheirapproachtothisbeatingheart，thestepsandformsofthegiftedandthetrue！Themomentweindulgeouraffections，theearthismetamorphosed；thereisnowinter，andnonight；alltragedies，allennuis，vanish，——alldutieseven；nothingfillstheproceedingeternitybuttheformsallradiantofbelovedpersons。Letthesoulbeassuredthatsomewhereintheuniverseitshouldrejoinitsfriend，anditwouldbecontentandcheerfulaloneforathousandyears。

Iawokethismorningwithdevoutthanksgivingformyfriends，theoldandthenew。ShallInotcallGodtheBeautiful，whodailyshowethhimselfsotomeinhisgifts？Ichidesociety，Iembracesolitude，andyetIamnotsoungratefulasnottoseethewise，thelovely，andthenoble-minded，asfromtimetotimetheypassmygate。

Whohearsme，whounderstandsme，becomesmine，——apossessionforalltime。Norisnaturesopoorbutshegivesmethisjoyseveraltimes，andthusweweavesocialthreadsofourown，anewwebofrelations；and，asmanythoughtsinsuccessionsubstantiatethemselves，weshallbyandbystandinanewworldofourowncreation，andnolongerstrangersandpilgrimsinatraditionaryglobe。Myfriendshavecometomeunsought。ThegreatGodgavethemtome。Byoldestright，bythedivineaffinityofvirtuewithitself，Ifindthem，orrathernotI，buttheDeityinmeandinthemderidesandcancelsthethickwallsofindividualcharacter，relation，age，sex，circumstance，atwhichheusuallyconnives，andnowmakesmanyone。HighthanksIoweyou，excellentlovers，whocarryouttheworldformetonewandnobledepths，andenlargethemeaningofallmythoughts。ThesearenewpoetryofthefirstBard，——poetrywithoutstop，——hymn，ode，andepic，poetrystillflowing，ApolloandtheMuseschantingstill。Willthese，too，separatethemselvesfrommeagain，orsomeofthem？Iknownot，butIfearitnot；formyrelationtothemissopure，thatweholdbysimpleaffinity，andtheGeniusofmylifebeingthussocial，thesameaffinitywillexertitsenergyonwhomsoeverisasnobleasthesemenandwomen，whereverImaybe。

Iconfesstoanextremetendernessofnatureonthispoint。Itisalmostdangeroustometo“crushthesweetpoisonofmisusedwine“

oftheaffections。Anewpersonistomeagreatevent，andhindersmefromsleep。Ihaveoftenhadfinefanciesaboutpersonswhichhavegivenmedelicioushours；butthejoyendsintheday；ityieldsnofruit。Thoughtisnotbornofit；myactionisverylittlemodified。Imustfeelprideinmyfriend\'saccomplishmentsasiftheyweremine，——andapropertyinhisvirtues。Ifeelaswarmlywhenheispraised，astheloverwhenhehearsapplauseofhisengagedmaiden。Weover-estimatetheconscienceofourfriend。Hisgoodnessseemsbetterthanourgoodness，hisnaturefiner，histemptationsless。Everythingthatishis，——hisname，hisform，hisdress，books，andinstruments，——fancyenhances。Ourownthoughtsoundsnewandlargerfromhismouth。

Yetthesystoleanddiastoleoftheheartarenotwithouttheiranalogyintheebbandflowoflove。Friendship，liketheimmortalityofthesoul，istoogoodtobebelieved。Thelover，beholdinghismaiden，halfknowsthatsheisnotverilythatwhichheworships；andinthegoldenhouroffriendship，wearesurprisedwithshadesofsuspicionandunbelief。Wedoubtthatwebestowonourherothevirtuesinwhichheshines，andafterwardsworshiptheformtowhichwehaveascribedthisdivineinhabitation。Instrictness，thesouldoesnotrespectmenasitrespectsitself。Instrictscienceallpersonsunderliethesameconditionofaninfiniteremoteness。ShallwefeartocoolourlovebyminingforthemetaphysicalfoundationofthisElysiantemple？ShallInotbeasrealasthethingsIsee？IfIam，Ishallnotfeartoknowthemforwhattheyare。Theiressenceisnotlessbeautifulthantheirappearance，thoughitneedsfinerorgansforitsapprehension。Therootoftheplantisnotunsightlytoscience，thoughforchapletsandfestoonswecutthestemshort。AndImusthazardtheproductionofthebaldfactamidstthesepleasingreveries，thoughitshouldproveanEgyptianskullatourbanquet。Amanwhostandsunitedwithhisthoughtconceivesmagnificentlyofhimself。Heisconsciousofauniversalsuccess，eventhoughboughtbyuniformparticularfailures。

Noadvantages，nopowers，nogoldorforce，canbeanymatchforhim。

Icannotchoosebutrelyonmyownpovertymorethanonyourwealth。

Icannotmakeyourconsciousnesstantamounttomine。Onlythestardazzles；theplanethasafaint，moon-likeray。Ihearwhatyousayoftheadmirablepartsandtriedtemperofthepartyyoupraise，butIseewellthatforallhispurplecloaksIshallnotlikehim，unlessheisatlastapoorGreeklikeme。Icannotdenyit，O

friend，thatthevastshadowofthePhenomenalincludestheealsoinitspiedandpaintedimmensity，——thee，also，comparedwithwhomallelseisshadow。ThouartnotBeing，asTruthis，asJusticeis，——

thouartnotmysoul，butapictureandeffigyofthat。Thouhastcometomelately，andalreadythouartseizingthyhatandcloak。

Isitnotthatthesoulputsforthfriendsasthetreeputsforthleaves，andpresently，bythegerminationofnewbuds，extrudestheoldleaf？Thelawofnatureisalternationforevermore。Eachelectricalstatesuperinducestheopposite。Thesoulenvironsitselfwithfriends，thatitmayenterintoagranderself-acquaintanceorsolitude；anditgoesaloneforaseason，thatitmayexaltitsconversationorsociety。Thismethodbetraysitselfalongthewholehistoryofourpersonalrelations。Theinstinctofaffectionrevivesthehopeofunionwithourmates，andthereturningsenseofinsulationrecallsusfromthechase。Thuseverymanpasseshislifeinthesearchafterfriendship，andifheshouldrecordhistruesentiment，hemightwritealetterlikethistoeachnewcandidateforhislove。

DEARFRIEND：——

IfIwassureofthee，sureofthycapacity，suretomatchmymoodwiththine，Ishouldneverthinkagainoftriflesinrelationtothycomingsandgoings。Iamnotverywise；mymoodsarequiteattainable；andIrespectthygenius；itistomeasyetunfathomed；

yetdareInotpresumeintheeaperfectintelligenceofme，andsothouarttomeadelicioustorment。Thineever，ornever。

Yettheseuneasypleasuresandfinepainsareforcuriosity，andnotforlife。Theyarenottobeindulged。Thisistoweavecobweb，andnotcloth。Ourfriendshipshurrytoshortandpoorconclusions，becausewehavemadethematextureofwineanddreams，insteadofthetoughfibreofthehumanheart。Thelawsoffriendshipareaustereandeternal，ofonewebwiththelawsofnatureandofmorals。Butwehaveaimedataswiftandpettybenefit，tosuckasuddensweetness。WesnatchattheslowestfruitinthewholegardenofGod，whichmanysummersandmanywintersmustripen。Weseekourfriendnotsacredly，butwithanadulteratepassionwhichwouldappropriatehimtoourselves。Invain。Wearearmedalloverwithsubtleantagonisms，which，assoonaswemeet，begintoplay，andtranslateallpoetryintostaleprose。Almostallpeopledescendtomeet。Allassociationmustbeacompromise，and，whatisworst，theveryflowerandaromaoftheflowerofeachofthebeautifulnaturesdisappearsastheyapproacheachother。Whataperpetualdisappointmentisactualsociety，evenofthevirtuousandgifted！Afterinterviewshavebeencompassedwithlongforesight，wemustbetormentedpresentlybybaffledblows，bysudden，unseasonableapathies，byepilepsiesofwitandofanimalspirits，intheheydayoffriendshipandthought。Ourfacultiesdonotplayustrue，andbothpartiesarerelievedbysolitude。

Ioughttobeequaltoeveryrelation。ItmakesnodifferencehowmanyfriendsIhave，andwhatcontentIcanfindinconversingwitheach，iftherebeonetowhomIamnotequal。IfIhaveshrunkunequalfromonecontest，thejoyIfindinalltherestbecomesmeanandcowardly。Ishouldhatemyself，ifthenImademyotherfriendsmyasylum。

“Thevaliantwarriorfamousedforfight，Afterahundredvictories，oncefoiled，Isfromthebookofhonorrazedquite，Andalltherestforgotforwhichhetoiled。“

Ourimpatienceisthussharplyrebuked。Bashfulnessandapathyareatoughhusk，inwhichadelicateorganizationisprotectedfromprematureripening。Itwouldbelostifitknewitselfbeforeanyofthebestsoulswereyetripeenoughtoknowandownit。Respectthe_naturlangsamkeit_whichhardenstherubyinamillionyears，andworksinduration，inwhichAlpsandAndescomeandgoasrainbows。

Thegoodspiritofourlifehasnoheavenwhichisthepriceofrashness。Love，whichistheessenceofGod，isnotforlevity，butforthetotalworthofman。Letusnothavethischildishluxuryinourregards，buttheausterestworth；letusapproachourfriendwithanaudacioustrustinthetruthofhisheart，inthebreadth，impossibletobeoverturned，ofhisfoundations。

Theattractionsofthissubjectarenottoberesisted，andI

leave，forthetime，allaccountofsubordinatesocialbenefit，tospeakofthatselectandsacredrelationwhichisakindofabsolute，andwhichevenleavesthelanguageoflovesuspiciousandcommon，somuchisthispurer，andnothingissomuchdivine。

Idonotwishtotreatfriendshipsdaintily，butwithroughestcourage。Whentheyarereal，theyarenotglassthreadsorfrostwork，butthesolidestthingweknow。Fornow，aftersomanyagesofexperience，whatdoweknowofnature，orofourselves？Notonestephasmantakentowardthesolutionoftheproblemofhisdestiny。Inonecondemnationoffollystandthewholeuniverseofmen。Butthesweetsincerityofjoyandpeace，whichIdrawfromthisalliancewithmybrother\'ssoul，isthenutitself，whereofallnatureandallthoughtisbutthehuskandshell。Happyisthehousethatsheltersafriend！Itmightwellbebuilt，likeafestalbowerorarch，toentertainhimasingleday。Happier，ifheknowthesolemnityofthatrelation，andhonoritslaw！Hewhooffershimselfacandidateforthatcovenantcomesup，likeanOlympian，tothegreatgames，wherethefirst-bornoftheworldarethecompetitors。

HeproposeshimselfforcontestswhereTime，Want，Danger，areinthelists，andhealoneisvictorwhohastruthenoughinhisconstitutiontopreservethedelicacyofhisbeautyfromthewearandtearofallthese。Thegiftsoffortunemaybepresentorabsent，butallthespeedinthatcontestdependsonintrinsicnobleness，andthecontemptoftrifles。Therearetwoelementsthatgotothecompositionoffriendship，eachsosovereignthatIcandetectnosuperiorityineither，noreasonwhyeithershouldbefirstnamed。

OneisTruth。AfriendisapersonwithwhomImaybesincere。

BeforehimImaythinkaloud。Iamarrivedatlastinthepresenceofamansorealandequal，thatImaydropeventhoseundermostgarmentsofdissimulation，courtesy，andsecondthought，whichmenneverputoff，andmaydealwithhimwiththesimplicityandwholenesswithwhichonechemicalatommeetsanother。Sincerityistheluxuryallowed，likediademsandauthority，onlytothehighestrank，_that_beingpermittedtospeaktruth，ashavingnoneaboveittocourtorconformunto。Everymanaloneissincere。Attheentranceofasecondperson，hypocrisybegins。Weparryandfendtheapproachofourfellow-manbycompliments，bygossip，byamusements，byaffairs。Wecoverupourthoughtfromhimunderahundredfolds。

Iknewaman，who，underacertainreligiousfrenzy，castoffthisdrapery，and，omittingallcomplimentandcommonplace，spoketotheconscienceofeverypersonheencountered，andthatwithgreatinsightandbeauty。Atfirsthewasresisted，andallmenagreedhewasmad。Butpersisting，asindeedhecouldnothelpdoing，forsometimeinthiscourse，heattainedtotheadvantageofbringingeverymanofhisacquaintanceintotruerelationswithhim。Nomanwouldthinkofspeakingfalselywithhim，orofputtinghimoffwithanychatofmarketsorreading-rooms。Buteverymanwasconstrainedbysomuchsinceritytothelikeplaindealing，andwhatloveofnature，whatpoetry，whatsymboloftruthhehad，hedidcertainlyshowhim。

Buttomostofussocietyshowsnotitsfaceandeye，butitssideanditsback。Tostandintruerelationswithmeninafalseageisworthafitofinsanity，isitnot？Wecanseldomgoerect。Almosteverymanwemeetrequiressomecivility，——requirestobehumored；

hehassomefame，sometalent，somewhimofreligionorphilanthropyinhisheadthatisnottobequestioned，andwhichspoilsallconversationwithhim。Butafriendisasanemanwhoexercisesnotmyingenuity，butme。Myfriendgivesmeentertainmentwithoutrequiringanystipulationonmypart。Afriend，therefore，isasortofparadoxinnature。Iwhoaloneam，IwhoseenothinginnaturewhoseexistenceIcanaffirmwithequalevidencetomyown，beholdnowthesemblanceofmybeing，inallitsheight，variety，andcuriosity，reiteratedinaforeignform；sothatafriendmaywellbereckonedthemasterpieceofnature。

Theotherelementoffriendshipistenderness。Weareholdentomenbyeverysortoftie，byblood，bypride，byfear，byhope，bylucre，bylust，byhate，byadmiration，byeverycircumstanceandbadgeandtrifle，butwecanscarcebelievethatsomuchcharactercansubsistinanotherastodrawusbylove。Cananotherbesoblessed，andwesopure，thatwecanofferhimtenderness？Whenamanbecomesdeartome，Ihavetouchedthegoaloffortune。Ifindverylittlewrittendirectlytotheheartofthismatterinbooks。

AndyetIhaveonetextwhichIcannotchoosebutremember。Myauthorsays，——“IoffermyselffaintlyandbluntlytothosewhoseI

effectuallyam，andtendermyselfleasttohimtowhomIamthemostdevoted。“Iwishthatfriendshipshouldhavefeet，aswellaseyesandeloquence。Itmustplantitselfontheground，beforeitvaultsoverthemoon。Iwishittobealittleofacitizen，beforeitisquiteacherub。Wechidethecitizenbecausehemakesloveacommodity。Itisanexchangeofgifts，ofusefulloans；itisgoodneighbourhood；itwatcheswiththesick；itholdsthepallatthefuneral；andquitelosessightofthedelicaciesandnobilityoftherelation。Butthoughwecannotfindthegodunderthisdisguiseofasutler，yet，ontheotherhand，wecannotforgivethepoetifhespinshisthreadtoofine，anddoesnotsubstantiatehisromancebythemunicipalvirtuesofjustice，punctuality，fidelity，andpity。I

hatetheprostitutionofthenameoffriendshiptosignifymodishandworldlyalliances。Imuchpreferthecompanyofploughboysandtin-peddlers，tothesilkenandperfumedamitywhichcelebratesitsdaysofencounterbyafrivolousdisplay，byridesinacurricle，anddinnersatthebesttaverns。Theendoffriendshipisacommercethemoststrictandhomelythatcanbejoined；morestrictthananyofwhichwehaveexperience。Itisforaidandcomfortthroughalltherelationsandpassagesoflifeanddeath。Itisfitforserenedays，andgracefulgifts，andcountryrambles，butalsoforroughroadsandhardfare，shipwreck，poverty，andpersecution。Itkeepscompanywiththesalliesofthewitandthetrancesofreligion。Wearetodignifytoeachotherthedailyneedsandofficesofman\'slife，andembellishitbycourage，wisdom，andunity。Itshouldneverfallintosomethingusualandsettled，butshouldbealertandinventive，andaddrhymeandreasontowhatwasdrudgery。

Friendshipmaybesaidtorequirenaturessorareandcostly，eachsowelltemperedandsohappilyadapted，andwithalsocircumstanced，(foreveninthatparticular，apoetsays，lovedemandsthatthepartiesbealtogetherpaired，)thatitssatisfactioncanveryseldombeassured。Itcannotsubsistinitsperfection，saysomeofthosewhoarelearnedinthiswarmloreoftheheart，betwixtmorethantwo。Iamnotquitesostrictinmyterms，perhapsbecauseIhaveneverknownsohighafellowshipasothers。Ipleasemyimaginationmorewithacircleofgodlikemenandwomenvariouslyrelatedtoeachother，andbetweenwhomsubsistsaloftyintelligence。ButIfindthislawof_onetoone_peremptoryforconversation，whichisthepracticeandconsummationoffriendship。

Donotmixwaterstoomuch。Thebestmixasillasgoodandbad。

Youshallhaveveryusefulandcheeringdiscourseatseveraltimeswithtwoseveralmen，butletallthreeofyoucometogether，andyoushallnothaveonenewandheartyword。Twomaytalkandonemayhear，butthreecannottakepartinaconversationofthemostsincereandsearchingsort。Ingoodcompanythereisneversuchdiscoursebetweentwo，acrossthetable，astakesplacewhenyouleavethemalone。Ingoodcompany，theindividualsmergetheiregotismintoasocialsoulexactlyco-extensivewiththeseveralconsciousnessestherepresent。Nopartialitiesoffriendtofriend，nofondnessesofbrothertosister，ofwifetohusband，aretherepertinent，butquiteotherwise。Onlyhemaythenspeakwhocansailonthecommonthoughtoftheparty，andnotpoorlylimitedtohisown。Nowthisconvention，whichgoodsensedemands，destroysthehighfreedomofgreatconversation，whichrequiresanabsoluterunningoftwosoulsintoone。

Notwomenbut，beingleftalonewitheachother，enterintosimplerrelations。Yetitisaffinitythatdetermines_which_twoshallconverse。Unrelatedmengivelittlejoytoeachother；willneversuspectthelatentpowersofeach。Wetalksometimesofagreattalentforconversation，asifitwereapermanentpropertyinsomeindividuals。Conversationisanevanescentrelation，——nomore。Amanisreputedtohavethoughtandeloquence；hecannot，forallthat，sayawordtohiscousinorhisuncle。Theyaccusehissilencewithasmuchreasonastheywouldblametheinsignificanceofadialintheshade。Inthesunitwillmarkthehour。Amongthosewhoenjoyhisthought，hewillregainhistongue。

Friendshiprequiresthatraremeanbetwixtlikenessandunlikeness，thatpiqueseachwiththepresenceofpowerandofconsentintheotherparty。Letmebealonetotheendoftheworld，ratherthanthatmyfriendshouldoverstep，byawordoralook，hisrealsympathy。Iamequallybalkedbyantagonismandbycompliance。

Lethimnotceaseaninstanttobehimself。TheonlyjoyIhaveinhisbeingmine，isthatthe_notmine_is_mine_。Ihate，whereI

lookedforamanlyfurtherance，oratleastamanlyresistance，tofindamushofconcession。Betterbeanettleinthesideofyourfriendthanhisecho。Theconditionwhichhighfriendshipdemandsisabilitytodowithoutit。Thathighofficerequiresgreatandsublimeparts。Theremustbeverytwo，beforetherecanbeveryone。

Letitbeanallianceoftwolarge，formidablenatures，mutuallybeheld，mutuallyfeared，beforeyettheyrecognizethedeepidentitywhichbeneaththesedisparitiesunitesthem。

Heonlyisfitforthissocietywhoismagnanimous；whoissurethatgreatnessandgoodnessarealwayseconomy；whoisnotswifttointermeddlewithhisfortunes。Lethimnotintermeddlewiththis。

Leavetothediamonditsagestogrow，norexpecttoacceleratethebirthsoftheeternal。Friendshipdemandsareligioustreatment。Wetalkofchoosingourfriends，butfriendsareself-elected。

Reverenceisagreatpartofit。Treatyourfriendasaspectacle。

Ofcoursehehasmeritsthatarenotyours，andthatyoucannothonor，ifyoumustneedsholdhimclosetoyourperson。Standaside；

givethosemeritsroom；letthemmountandexpand。Areyouthefriendofyourfriend\'sbuttons，orofhisthought？Toagreathearthewillstillbeastrangerinathousandparticulars，thathemaycomenearintheholiestground。Leaveittogirlsandboystoregardafriendasproperty，andtosuckashortandall-confoundingpleasure，insteadofthenoblestbenefit。

Letusbuyourentrancetothisguildbyalongprobation。Whyshouldwedesecratenobleandbeautifulsoulsbyintrudingonthem？

Whyinsistonrashpersonalrelationswithyourfriend？Whygotohishouse，orknowhismotherandbrotherandsisters？Whybevisitedbyhimatyourown？Arethesethingsmaterialtoourcovenant？Leavethistouchingandclawing。Lethimbetomeaspirit。Amessage，athought，asincerity，aglancefromhim，I

want，butnotnews，norpottage。Icangetpolitics，andchat，andneighbourlyconveniencesfromcheapercompanions。Shouldnotthesocietyofmyfriendbetomepoetic，pure，universal，andgreatasnatureitself？OughtItofeelthatourtieisprofaneincomparisonwithyonderbarofcloudthatsleepsonthehorizon，orthatclumpofwavinggrassthatdividesthebrook？Letusnotvilify，butraiseittothatstandard。Thatgreat，defyingeye，thatscornfulbeautyofhismienandaction，donotpiqueyourselfonreducing，butratherfortifyandenhance。Worshiphissuperiorities；wishhimnotlessbyathought，buthoardandtellthemall。Guardhimasthycounterpart。Lethimbetotheeforeverasortofbeautifulenemy，untamable，devoutlyrevered，andnotatrivialconveniencytobesoonoutgrownandcastaside。Thehuesoftheopal，thelightofthediamond，arenottobeseen，iftheeyeistoonear。TomyfriendI

writealetter，andfromhimIreceivealetter。Thatseemstoyoualittle。Itsufficesme。Itisaspiritualgiftworthyofhimtogive，andofmetoreceive。Itprofanesnobody。Inthesewarmlinestheheartwilltrustitself，asitwillnottothetongue，andpourouttheprophecyofagodlierexistencethanalltheannalsofheroismhaveyetmadegood。

Respectsofartheholylawsofthisfellowshipasnottoprejudiceitsperfectflowerbyyourimpatienceforitsopening。Wemustbeourownbeforewecanbeanother\'s。Thereisatleastthissatisfactionincrime，accordingtotheLatinproverb；——youcanspeaktoyouraccompliceoneventerms。_Crimenquosinquinat，aequat_。Tothosewhomweadmireandlove，atfirstwecannot。Yettheleastdefectofself-possessionvitiates，inmyjudgment，theentirerelation。Therecanneverbedeeppeacebetweentwospirits，nevermutualrespect，until，intheirdialogue，eachstandsforthewholeworld。

Whatissogreatasfriendship，letuscarrywithwhatgrandeurofspiritwecan。Letusbesilent，——sowemayhearthewhisperofthegods。Letusnotinterfere。Whosetyoutocastaboutwhatyoushouldsaytotheselectsouls，orhowtosayanythingtosuch？Nomatterhowingenious，nomatterhowgracefulandbland。Thereareinnumerabledegreesoffollyandwisdom，andforyoutosayaughtistobefrivolous。Wait，andthyheartshallspeak。Waituntilthenecessaryandeverlastingoverpowersyou，untildayandnightavailthemselvesofyourlips。Theonlyrewardofvirtueisvirtue；theonlywaytohaveafriendistobeone。Youshallnotcomeneareramanbygettingintohishouse。Ifunlike，hissoulonlyfleesthefasterfromyou，andyoushallnevercatchatrueglanceofhiseye。

Weseethenobleafaroff，andtheyrepelus；whyshouldweintrude？

Late，——verylate，——weperceivethatnoarrangements，nointroductions，noconsuetudesorhabitsofsociety，wouldbeofanyavailtoestablishusinsuchrelationswiththemaswedesire，——

butsolelytheupriseofnatureinustothesamedegreeitisinthem；thenshallwemeetaswaterwithwater；andifweshouldnotmeetthemthen，weshallnotwantthem，forwearealreadythey。Inthelastanalysis，loveisonlythereflectionofaman\'sownworthinessfromothermen。Menhavesometimesexchangednameswiththeirfriends，asiftheywouldsignifythatintheirfriendeachlovedhisownsoul。

Thehigherthestylewedemandoffriendship，ofcoursethelesseasytoestablishitwithfleshandblood。Wewalkaloneintheworld。Friends，suchaswedesire，aredreamsandfables。Butasublimehopecheerseverthefaithfulheart，thatelsewhere，inotherregionsoftheuniversalpower，soulsarenowacting，enduring，anddaring，whichcanloveus，andwhichwecanlove。Wemaycongratulateourselvesthattheperiodofnonage，offollies，ofblunders，andofshame，ispassedinsolitude，andwhenwearefinishedmen，weshallgraspheroichandsinheroichands。Onlybeadmonishedbywhatyoualreadysee，nottostrikeleaguesoffriendshipwithcheappersons，wherenofriendshipcanbe。OurimpatiencebetraysusintorashandfoolishallianceswhichnoGodattends。Bypersistinginyourpath，thoughyouforfeitthelittleyougainthegreat。Youdemonstrateyourself，soastoputyourselfoutofthereachoffalserelations，andyoudrawtoyouthefirst-bornoftheworld，——thoserarepilgrimswhereofonlyoneortwowanderinnatureatonce，andbeforewhomthevulgargreatshowasspectresandshadowsmerely。

Itisfoolishtobeafraidofmakingourtiestoospiritual，asifsowecouldloseanygenuinelove。Whatevercorrectionofourpopularviewswemakefrominsight，naturewillbesuretobearusoutin，andthoughitseemtorobusofsomejoy，willrepayuswithagreater。Letusfeel，ifwewill，theabsoluteinsulationofman。

Wearesurethatwehaveallinus。WegotoEurope，orwepursuepersons，orwereadbooks，intheinstinctivefaiththatthesewillcallitoutandrevealustoourselves。Beggarsall。Thepersonsaresuchaswe；theEuropeanoldfadedgarmentofdeadpersons；thebookstheirghosts。Letusdropthisidolatry。Letusgiveoverthismendicancy。Letusevenbidourdearestfriendsfarewell，anddefythem，saying，`Whoareyou？Unhandme：Iwillbedependentnomore。\'Ah！seestthounot，Obrother，thatthuswepartonlytomeetagainonahigherplatform，andonlybemoreeachother\'s，becausewearemoreourown？AfriendisJanus-faced：helookstothepastandthefuture。Heisthechildofallmyforegoinghours，theprophetofthosetocome，andtheharbingerofagreaterfriend。

IdothenwithmyfriendsasIdowithmybooks。IwouldhavethemwhereIcanfindthem，butIseldomusethem。Wemusthavesocietyonourownterms，andadmitorexcludeitontheslightestcause。Icannotaffordtospeakmuchwithmyfriend。Ifheisgreat，hemakesmesogreatthatIcannotdescendtoconverse。Inthegreatdays，presentimentshoverbeforemeinthefirmament。I

oughtthentodedicatemyselftothem。IgointhatImayseizethem，IgooutthatImayseizethem。IfearonlythatImaylosethemrecedingintotheskyinwhichnowtheyareonlyapatchofbrighterlight。Then，thoughIprizemyfriends，Icannotaffordtotalkwiththemandstudytheirvisions，lestIlosemyown。Itwouldindeedgivemeacertainhouseholdjoytoquitthisloftyseeking，thisspiritualastronomy，orsearchofstars，andcomedowntowarmsympathieswithyou；butthenIknowwellIshallmournalwaysthevanishingofmymightygods。Itistrue，nextweekIshallhavelanguidmoods，whenIcanwellaffordtooccupymyselfwithforeignobjects；thenIshallregretthelostliteratureofyourmind，andwishyouwerebymysideagain。Butifyoucome，perhapsyouwillfillmymindonlywithnewvisions，notwithyourselfbutwithyourlustres，andIshallnotbeableanymorethannowtoconversewithyou。SoIwillowetomyfriendsthisevanescentintercourse。I

willreceivefromthem，notwhattheyhave，butwhattheyare。Theyshallgivemethatwhichproperlytheycannotgive，butwhichemanatesfromthem。Buttheyshallnotholdmebyanyrelationslesssubtileandpure。Wewillmeetasthoughwemetnot，andpartasthoughwepartednot。

IthasseemedtomelatelymorepossiblethanIknew，tocarryafriendshipgreatly，ononeside，withoutduecorrespondenceontheother。WhyshouldIcumbermyselfwithregretsthatthereceiverisnotcapacious？Itnevertroublesthesunthatsomeofhisraysfallwideandvainintoungratefulspace，andonlyasmallpartonthereflectingplanet。Letyourgreatnesseducatethecrudeandcoldcompanion。Ifheisunequal，hewillpresentlypassaway；butthouartenlargedbythyownshining，and，nolongeramateforfrogsandworms，dostsoarandburnwiththegodsoftheempyrean。Itisthoughtadisgracetoloveunrequited。Butthegreatwillseethattruelovecannotbeunrequited。Truelovetranscendstheunworthyobject，anddwellsandbroodsontheeternal，andwhenthepoorinterposedmaskcrumbles，itisnotsad，butfeelsridofsomuchearth，andfeelsitsindependencythesurer。Yetthesethingsmayhardlybesaidwithoutasortoftreacherytotherelation。Theessenceoffriendshipisentireness，atotalmagnanimityandtrust。

Itmustnotsurmiseorprovideforinfirmity。Ittreatsitsobjectasagod，thatitmaydeifyboth。

PRUDENCE

Themenopoetgladlysung，Fairtooldandfoultoyoung，Scornnotthoutheloveofparts，Andthearticlesofarts。

GrandeuroftheperfectsphereThankstheatomsthatcohere。

ESSAYVII_Prudence_

WhatrighthaveItowriteontofthenegativesort？Myprudenceconsistsinavoidingandgoingwithout，notintheinventingofmeansandmethods，notinadroitsteering，notingentlerepairing。Ihavenoskilltomakemoneyspendwell，nogeniusinmyeconomy，andwhoeverseesmygardendiscoversthatImusthavesomeothergarden。YetIlovefacts，andhatelubricity，andpeoplewithoutperception。ThenIhavethesametitletowriteonprudence，thatIhavetowriteonpoetryorholiness。Wewritefromaspirationandantagonism，aswellasfromexperience。Wepaintthosequalitieswhichwedonotpossess。Thepoetadmiresthemanofenergyandtactics；themerchantbreedshissonforthechurchorthebar：andwhereamanisnotvainandegotistic，youshallfindwhathehasnotbyhispraise。Moreover，itwouldbehardlyhonestinmenottobalancethesefinelyricwordsofLoveandFriendshipwithwordsofcoarsersound，and，whilstmydebttomysensesisrealandconstant，nottoownitinpassing。

Prudenceisthevirtueofthesenses。Itisthescienceofappearances。Itistheoutmostactionoftheinwardlife。ItisGodtakingthoughtforoxen。Itmovesmatterafterthelawsofmatter。

Itiscontenttoseekhealthofbodybycomplyingwithphysicalconditions，andhealthofmindbythelawsoftheintellect。

Theworldofthesensesisaworldofshows；itdoesnotexistforitself，buthasasymboliccharacter；andatrueprudenceorlawofshowsrecognizesthecopresenceofotherlaws，andknowsthatitsownofficeissubaltern；knowsthatitissurfaceandnotcentrewhereitworks。Prudenceisfalsewhendetached。ItislegitimatewhenitistheNaturalHistoryofthesoulincarnate；whenitunfoldsthebeautyoflawswithinthenarrowscopeofthesenses。

Therearealldegreesofproficiencyinknowledgeoftheworld。

Itissufficient，toourpresentpurpose，toindicatethree。Oneclasslivetotheutilityofthesymbol；esteeminghealthandwealthafinalgood。Anotherclassliveabovethismarktothebeautyofthesymbol；asthepoet，andartist，andthenaturalist，andmanofscience。Athirdclassliveabovethebeautyofthesymboltothebeautyofthethingsignified；thesearewisemen。Thefirstclasshavecommonsense；thesecond，taste；andthethird，spiritualperception。Onceinalongtime，amantraversesthewholescale，andseesandenjoysthesymbolsolidly；thenalsohasacleareyeforitsbeauty，and，lastly，whilsthepitcheshistentonthissacredvolcanicisleofnature，doesnotoffertobuildhousesandbarnsthereon，reverencingthesplendoroftheGodwhichheseesburstingthrougheachchinkandcranny。

Theworldisfilledwiththeproverbsandactsandwinkingsofabaseprudence，whichisadevotiontomatter，asifwepossessednootherfacultiesthanthepalate，thenose，thetouch，theeyeandear；aprudencewhichadorestheRuleofThree，whichneversubscribes，whichnevergives，whichseldomlends，andasksbutonequestionofanyproject，——Willitbakebread？Thisisadiseaselikeathickeningoftheskinuntilthevitalorgansaredestroyed。

Butculture，revealingthehighoriginoftheapparentworld，andaimingattheperfectionofthemanastheend，degradeseverythingelse，ashealthandbodilylife，intomeans。Itseesprudencenottobeaseveralfaculty，butanameforwisdomandvirtueconversingwiththebodyanditswants。Cultivatedmenalwaysfeelandspeakso，asifagreatfortune，theachievementofacivilorsocialmeasure，greatpersonalinfluence，agracefulandcommandingaddress，hadtheirvalueasproofsoftheenergyofthespirit。Ifamanlosehisbalance，andimmersehimselfinanytradesorpleasuresfortheirownsake，hemaybeagoodwheelorpin，butheisnotacultivatedman。

Thespuriousprudence，makingthesensesfinal，isthegodofsotsandcowards，andisthesubjectofallcomedy。Itisnature\'sjoke，andthereforeliterature\'s。Thetrueprudencelimitsthissensualismbyadmittingtheknowledgeofaninternalandrealworld。

Thisrecognitiononcemade，——theorderoftheworldandthedistributionofaffairsandtimesbeingstudiedwiththeco-perceptionoftheirsubordinateplace，willrewardanydegreeofattention。Forourexistence，thusapparentlyattachedinnaturetothesunandthereturningmoonandtheperiodswhichtheymark，——sosusceptibletoclimateandtocountry，soalivetosocialgoodandevil，sofondofsplendor，andsotendertohungerandcoldanddebt，——readsallitsprimarylessonsoutofthesebooks。

Prudencedoesnotgobehindnature，andaskwhenceitis。Ittakesthelawsoftheworld，wherebyman\'sbeingisconditioned，astheyare，andkeepstheselaws，thatitmayenjoytheirpropergood。

Itrespectsspaceandtime，climate，want，sleep，thelawofpolarity，growth，anddeath。Thererevolvetogiveboundandperiodtohisbeing，onallsides，thesunandmoon，thegreatformalistsinthesky：hereliesstubbornmatter，andwillnotswervefromitschemicalroutine。Hereisaplantedglobe，piercedandbeltedwithnaturallaws，andfencedanddistributedexternallywithcivilpartitionsandpropertieswhichimposenewrestraintsontheyounginhabitant。

Weeatofthebreadwhichgrowsinthefield。Welivebytheairwhichblowsaroundus，andwearepoisonedbytheairthatistoocoldortoohot，toodryortoowet。Time，whichshowssovacant，indivisible，anddivineinitscoming，isslitandpeddledintotriflesandtatters。Adooristobepainted，alocktoberepaired。

Iwantwood，oroil，ormeal，orsalt；thehousesmokes，orIhaveaheadache；thenthetax；andanaffairtobetransactedwithamanwithoutheartorbrains；andthestingingrecollectionofaninjuriousorveryawkwardword，——theseeatupthehours。Dowhatwecan，summerwillhaveitsflies：ifwewalkinthewoods，wemustfeedmosquitos：ifwegoa-fishing，wemustexpectawetcoat。Thenclimateisagreatimpedimenttoidlepersons：weoftenresolvetogiveupthecareoftheweather，butstillweregardthecloudsandtherain。

Weareinstructedbythesepettyexperienceswhichusurpthehoursandyears。Thehardsoilandfourmonthsofsnowmaketheinhabitantofthenortherntemperatezonewiserandablerthanhisfellowwhoenjoysthefixedsmileofthetropics。Theislandermayramblealldayatwill。Atnight，hemaysleeponamatunderthemoon，andwhereverawilddate-treegrows，naturehas，withoutaprayereven，spreadatableforhismorningmeal。Thenorthernerisperforceahouseholder。Hemustbrew，bake，salt，andpreservehisfood，andpilewoodandcoal。Butasithappensthatnotonestrokecanlaborlayto，withoutsomenewacquaintancewithnature；andasnatureisinexhaustiblysignificant，theinhabitantsoftheseclimateshavealwaysexcelledthesouthernerinforce。Suchisthevalueofthesematters，thatamanwhoknowsotherthingscanneverknowtoomuchofthese。Lethimhaveaccurateperceptions。Lethim，ifhehavehands，handle；ifeyes，measureanddiscriminate；lethimacceptandhiveeveryfactofchemistry，naturalhistory，andeconomics；themorehehas，thelessishewillingtospareanyone。

Timeisalwaysbringingtheoccasionsthatdisclosetheirvalue。

Somewisdomcomesoutofeverynaturalandinnocentaction。Thedomesticman，wholovesnomusicsowellashiskitchenclock，andtheairswhichthelogssingtohimastheyburnonthehearth，hassolaceswhichothersneverdreamof。Theapplicationofmeanstoendsinsuresvictoryandthesongsofvictory，notlessinafarmorashopthaninthetacticsofpartyorofwar。Thegoodhusbandfindsmethodasefficientinthepackingoffire-woodinashed，orintheharvestingoffruitsinthecellar，asinPeninsularcampaignsorthefilesoftheDepartmentofState。Intherainyday，hebuildsawork-bench，orgetshistool-boxsetinthecornerofthebarn-chamber，andstoredwithnails，gimlet，pincers，screwdriver，andchisel。Hereinhetastesanoldjoyofyouthandchildhood，thecat-likeloveofgarrets，presses，andcorn-chambers，andoftheconveniencesoflonghousekeeping。Hisgardenorhispoultry-yardtellshimmanypleasantanecdotes。Onemightfindargumentforoptimismintheabundantflowofthissaccharineelementofpleasureineverysuburbandextremityofthegoodworld。Letamankeepthelaw，——anylaw，——andhiswaywillbestrownwithsatisfactions。

Thereismoredifferenceinthequalityofourpleasuresthanintheamount。

Ontheotherhand，naturepunishesanyneglectofprudence。Ifyouthinkthesensesfinal，obeytheirlaw。Ifyoubelieveinthesoul，donotclutchatsensualsweetnessbeforeitisripeontheslowtreeofcauseandeffect。Itisvinegartotheeyes，todealwithmenoflooseandimperfectperception。Dr。Johnsonisreportedtohavesaid，——“Ifthechildsayshelookedoutofthiswindow，whenhelookedoutofthat，——whiphim。“OurAmericancharacterismarkedbyamorethanaveragedelightinaccurateperception，whichisshownbythecurrencyofthebyword，“Nomistake。“Butthediscomfortofunpunctuality，ofconfusionofthoughtaboutfacts，ofinattentiontothewantsofto-morrow，isofnonation。Thebeautifullawsoftimeandspace，oncedislocatedbyourinaptitude，areholesanddens。Ifthehivebedisturbedbyrashandstupidhands，insteadofhoney，itwillyieldusbees。Ourwordsandactionstobefairmustbetimely。AgayandpleasantsoundisthewhettingofthescytheinthemorningsofJune；yetwhatismorelonesomeandsadthanthesoundofawhetstoneormower\'srifle，whenitistoolateintheseasontomakehay？Scatter-brainedand“afternoonmen“spoilmuchmorethantheirownaffair，inspoilingthetemperofthosewhodealwiththem。Ihaveseenacriticismonsomepaintings，ofwhichIamremindedwhenIseetheshiftlessandunhappymenwhoarenottruetotheirsenses。ThelastGrandDukeofWeimar，amanofsuperiorunderstanding，said：——“Ihavesometimesremarkedinthepresenceofgreatworksofart，andjustnowespecially，inDresden，howmuchacertainpropertycontributestotheeffectwhichgiveslifetothefigures，andtothelifeanirresistibletruth。Thispropertyisthehitting，inallthefigureswedraw，therightcentreofgravity。Imean，theplacingthefiguresfirmupontheirfeet，makingthehandsgrasp，andfasteningtheeyesonthespotwheretheyshouldlook。Evenlifelessfigures，asvesselsandstools，——letthembedrawneversocorrectly，——

losealleffectsosoonastheylacktherestingupontheircentreofgravity，andhaveacertainswimmingandoscillatingappearance。TheRaphael，intheDresdengallery，(theonlygreatlyaffectingpicturewhichIhaveseen，)isthequietestandmostpassionlesspieceyoucanimagine；acoupleofsaintswhoworshiptheVirginandChild。

Nevertheless，itawakensadeeperimpressionthanthecontortionsoftencrucifiedmartyrs。For，besidealltheresistlessbeautyofform，itpossessesinthehighestdegreethepropertyoftheperpendicularityofallthefigures。“Thisperpendicularitywedemandofallthefiguresinthispictureoflife。Letthemstandontheirfeet，andnotfloatandswing。Letusknowwheretofindthem。Letthemdiscriminatebetweenwhattheyrememberandwhattheydreamed，callaspadeaspade，giveusfacts，andhonortheirownsenseswithtrust。

Butwhatmanshalldaretaxanotherwithimprudence？Whoisprudent？Themenwecallgreatestareleastinthiskingdom。Thereisacertainfataldislocationinourrelationtonature，distortingourmodesofliving，andmakingeverylawourenemy，whichseemsatlasttohavearousedallthewitandvirtueintheworldtoponderthequestionofReform。Wemustcallthehighestprudencetocounsel，andaskwhyhealthandbeautyandgeniusshouldnowbetheexception，ratherthantherule，ofhumannature？Wedonotknowthepropertiesofplantsandanimalsandthelawsofnaturethroughoursympathywiththesame；butthisremainsthedreamofpoets。Poetryandprudenceshouldbecoincident。Poetsshouldbelawgivers；thatis，theboldestlyricinspirationshouldnotchideandinsult，butshouldannounceandlead，thecivilcode，andtheday\'swork。Butnowthetwothingsseemirreconcilablyparted。Wehaveviolatedlawuponlaw，untilwestandamidstruins，andwhenbychanceweespyacoincidencebetweenreasonandthephenomena，wearesurprised。

Beautyshouldbethedowryofeverymanandwoman，asinvariablyassensation；butitisrare。Healthorsoundorganizationshouldbeuniversal。Geniusshouldbethechildofgenius，andeverychildshouldbeinspired；butnowitisnottobepredictedofanychild，andnowhereisitpure。Wecallpartialhalf-lights，bycourtesy，genius；talentwhichconvertsitselftomoney；talentwhichglittersto-day，thatitmaydineandsleepwellto-morrow；andsocietyisofficeredby_menofparts_，astheyareproperlycalled，andnotbydivinemen。Theseusetheirgiftstorefineluxury，nottoabolishit。Geniusisalwaysascetic；andpietyandlove。Appetiteshowstothefinersoulsasadisease，andtheyfindbeautyinritesandboundsthatresistit。

Wehavefoundoutfinenamestocoveroursensualitywithal，butnogiftscanraiseintemperance。Themanoftalentaffectstocallhistransgressionsofthelawsofthesensestrivial，andtocountthemnothingconsideredwithhisdevotiontohisart。Hisartnevertaughthimlewdness，northeloveofwine，northewishtoreapwherehehadnotsowed。Hisartislessforeverydeductionfromhisholiness，andlessforeverydefectofcommonsense。Onhimwhoscornedtheworld，ashesaid，thescornedworldwreaksitsrevenge。

Hethatdespisethsmallthingswillperishbylittleandlittle。

Goethe\'sTassoisverylikelytobeaprettyfairhistoricalportrait，andthatistruetragedy。ItdoesnotseemtomesogenuinegriefwhensometyrannousRichardtheThirdoppressesandslaysascoreofinnocentpersons，aswhenAntonioandTasso，bothapparentlyright，wrongeachother。Onelivingafterthemaximsofthisworld，andconsistentandtruetothem，theotherfiredwithalldivinesentiments，yetgraspingalsoatthepleasuresofsense，withoutsubmittingtotheirlaw。Thatisagriefweallfeel，aknotwecannotuntie。Tasso\'sisnoinfrequentcaseinmodernbiography。

Amanofgenius，ofanardenttemperament，recklessofphysicallaws，self-indulgent，becomespresentlyunfortunate，querulous，a“discomfortablecousin，“athorntohimselfandtoothers。

Thescholarshamesusbyhisbifoldlife。Whilstsomethinghigherthanprudenceisactive，heisadmirable；whencommonsenseiswanted，heisanencumbrance。Yesterday，Caesarwasnotsogreat；

to-day，thefelonatthegallows\'footisnotmoremiserable。

Yesterday，radiantwiththelightofanidealworld，inwhichhelives，thefirstofmen；andnowoppressedbywantsandbysickness，forwhichhemustthankhimself。Heresemblesthepitifuldrivellers，whomtravellersdescribeasfrequentingthebazaarsofConstantinople，whoskulkaboutallday，yellow，emaciated，ragged，sneaking；andatevening，whenthebazaarsareopen，slinktotheopium-shop，swallowtheirmorsel，andbecometranquilandglorifiedseers。Andwhohasnotseenthetragedyofimprudentgenius，strugglingforyearswithpaltrypecuniarydifficulties，atlastsinking，chilled，exhausted，andfruitless，likeagiantslaughteredbypins？

Isitnotbetterthatamanshouldacceptthefirstpainsandmortificationsofthissort，whichnatureisnotslackinsendinghim，ashintsthathemustexpectnoothergoodthanthejustfruitofhisownlaborandself-denial？Health，bread，climate，socialposition，havetheirimportance，andhewillgivethemtheirdue。

LethimesteemNatureaperpetualcounsellor，andherperfectionstheexactmeasureofourdeviations。Lethimmakethenightnight，andthedayday。Lethimcontrolthehabitofexpense。Lethimseethatasmuchwisdommaybeexpendedonaprivateeconomyasonanempire，andasmuchwisdommaybedrawnfromit。Thelawsoftheworldarewrittenoutforhimoneverypieceofmoneyinhishand。Thereisnothinghewillnotbethebetterforknowing，wereitonlythewisdomofPoorRichard；ortheState-Streetprudenceofbuyingbytheacretosellbythefoot；orthethriftoftheagriculturist，tostickatreebetweenwhiles，becauseitwillgrowwhilsthesleeps；

ortheprudencewhichconsistsinhusbandinglittlestrokesofthetool，littleportionsoftime，particlesofstock，andsmallgains。

Theeyeofprudencemaynevershut。Iron，ifkeptattheironmonger\'s，willrust；beer，ifnotbrewedintherightstateoftheatmosphere，willsour；timberofshipswillrotatsea，or，iflaiduphighanddry，willstrain，warp，anddry-rot；money，ifkeptbyus，yieldsnorent，andisliabletoloss；ifinvested，isliabletodepreciationoftheparticularkindofstock。Strike，saysthesmith，theironiswhite；keeptherake，saysthehaymaker，asnighthescytheasyoucan，andthecartasnightherake。OurYankeetradeisreputedtobeverymuchontheextremeofthisprudence。Ittakesbank-notes，——good，bad，clean，ragged，——andsavesitselfbythespeedwithwhichitpassesthemoff。Ironcannotrust，norbeersour，nortimberrot，norcalicoesgooutoffashion，normoneystocksdepreciate，inthefewswiftmomentsinwhichtheYankeesuffersanyoneofthemtoremaininhispossession。Inskatingoverthinice，oursafetyisinourspeed。

Lethimlearnaprudenceofahigherstrain。Lethimlearnthateverythinginnature，evenmotesandfeathers，gobylawandnotbyluck，andthatwhathesowshereaps。Bydiligenceandself-command，lethimputthebreadheeatsathisowndisposal，thathemaynotstandinbitterandfalserelationstoothermen；forthebestgoodofwealthisfreedom。Lethimpractisetheminorvirtues。

Howmuchofhumanlifeislostinwaiting！lethimnotmakehisfellow-creatureswait。Howmanywordsandpromisesarepromisesofconversation！lethisbewordsoffate。Whenheseesafoldedandsealedscrapofpaperfloatroundtheglobeinapineship，andcomesafetotheeyeforwhichitwaswritten，amidstaswarmingpopulation，lethimlikewisefeeltheadmonitiontointegratehisbeingacrossallthesedistractingforces，andkeepaslenderhumanwordamongthestorms，distances，andaccidentsthatdriveushitherandthither，and，bypersistency，makethepaltryforceofonemanreappeartoredeemitspledge，aftermonthsandyears，inthemostdistantclimates。

Wemustnottrytowritethelawsofanyonevirtue，lookingatthatonly。Humannaturelovesnocontradictions，butissymmetrical。

Theprudencewhichsecuresanoutwardwell-beingisnottobestudiedbyonesetofmen，whilstheroismandholinessarestudiedbyanother，buttheyarereconcilable。Prudenceconcernsthepresenttime，persons，property，andexistingforms。Butaseveryfacthathitsrootsinthesoul，and，ifthesoulwerechanged，wouldceasetobe，orwouldbecomesomeotherthing，theproperadministrationofoutwardthingswillalwaysrestonajustapprehensionoftheircauseandorigin，thatis，thegoodmanwillbethewiseman，andthesingle-hearted，thepoliticman。Everyviolationoftruthisnotonlyasortofsuicideintheliar，butisastabatthehealthofhumansociety。Onthemostprofitablelie，thecourseofeventspresentlylaysadestructivetax；whilstfranknessinvitesfrankness，putsthepartiesonaconvenientfooting，andmakestheirbusinessafriendship。Trustmen，andtheywillbetruetoyou；treatthemgreatly，andtheywillshowthemselvesgreat，thoughtheymakeanexceptioninyourfavortoalltheirrulesoftrade。

So，inregardtodisagreeableandformidablethings，prudencedoesnotconsistinevasion，orinflight，butincourage。Hewhowishestowalkinthemostpeacefulpartsoflifewithanyserenitymustscrewhimselfuptoresolution。Lethimfronttheobjectofhisworstapprehension，andhisstoutnesswillcommonlymakehisfeargroundless。TheLatinproverbsays，that“inbattlestheeyeisfirstovercome。“Entireself-possessionmaymakeabattleverylittlemoredangeroustolifethanamatchatfoilsoratfootball。

Examplesarecitedbysoldiers，ofmenwhohaveseenthecannonpointed，andthefiregiventoit，andwhohavesteppedasidefromthepathoftheball。Theterrorsofthestormarechieflyconfinedtotheparlourandthecabin。Thedrover，thesailor，buffetsitallday，andhishealthrenewsitselfatasvigorousapulseunderthesleet，asunderthesunofJune。

Intheoccurrenceofunpleasantthingsamongneighbours，fearcomesreadilytoheart，andmagnifiestheconsequenceoftheotherparty；butitisabadcounsellor。Everymanisactuallyweak，andapparentlystrong。Tohimself，heseemsweak；toothers，formidable。

YouareafraidofGrim；butGrimalsoisafraidofyou。Youaresolicitousofthegood-willofthemeanestperson，uneasyathisill-will。Butthesturdiestoffenderofyourpeaceandoftheneighbourhood，ifyouripup_his_claims，isasthinandtimidasany；andthepeaceofsocietyisoftenkept，because，aschildrensay，oneisafraid，andtheotherdaresnot。Faroff，menswell，bully，andthreaten；bringthemhandtohand，andtheyareafeeblefolk。

Itisaproverb，that`courtesycostsnothing\'；butcalculationmightcometovalueloveforitsprofit。Loveisfabledtobeblind；

butkindnessisnecessarytoperception；loveisnotahood，butaneye-water。Ifyoumeetasectary，orahostilepartisan，neverrecognizethedividinglines；butmeetonwhatcommongroundremains，——ifonlythatthesunshines，andtherainrainsforboth；theareawillwidenveryfast，andereyouknowittheboundarymountains，onwhichtheeyehadfastened，havemeltedintoair。Iftheysetouttocontend，SaintPaulwilllie，andSaintJohnwillhate。Whatlow，poor，paltry，hypocriticalpeopleanargumentonreligionwillmakeofthepureandchosensouls！Theywillshuffle，andcrow，crook，andhide，feigntoconfesshere，onlythattheymaybragandconquerthere，andnotathoughthasenrichedeitherparty，andnotanemotionofbravery，modesty，orhope。Soneithershouldyouputyourselfinafalsepositionwithyourcontemporaries，byindulgingaveinofhostilityandbitterness。Thoughyourviewsareinstraightantagonismtotheirs，assumeanidentityofsentiment，assumethatyouaresayingpreciselythatwhichallthink，andintheflowofwitandloverolloutyourparadoxesinsolidcolumn，withnottheinfirmityofadoubt。Soatleastshallyougetanadequatedeliverance。Thenaturalmotionsofthesoularesomuchbetterthanthevoluntaryones，thatyouwillneverdoyourselfjusticeindispute。Thethoughtisnotthentakenholdofbytherighthandle，doesnotshowitselfproportioned，andinitstruebearings，butbearsextorted，hoarse，andhalfwitness。Butassumeaconsent，anditshallpresentlybegranted，since，really，andunderneaththeirexternaldiversities，allmenareofoneheartandmind。

Wisdomwillneverletusstandwithanymanormenonanunfriendlyfooting。Werefusesympathyandintimacywithpeople，asifwewaitedforsomebettersympathyandintimacytocome。Butwhenceandwhen？To-morrowwillbeliketo-day。Lifewastesitselfwhilstwearepreparingtolive。Ourfriendsandfellow-workersdieofffromus。Scarcelycanwesay，weseenewmen，newwomen，approachingus。Wearetoooldtoregardfashion，toooldtoexpectpatronageofanygreaterormorepowerful。Letussuckthesweetnessofthoseaffectionsandconsuetudesthatgrownearus。Theseoldshoesareeasytothefeet。Undoubtedly，wecaneasilypickfaultsinourcompany，caneasilywhispernamesprouder，andthatticklethefancymore。Everyman\'simaginationhathitsfriends；andlifewouldbedearerwithsuchcompanions。But，ifyoucannothavethemongoodmutualterms，youcannothavethem。IfnottheDeity，butourambition，hewsandshapesthenewrelations，theirvirtueescapes，asstrawberrieslosetheirflavoringarden-beds。

Thustruth，frankness，courage，love，humility，andallthevirtues，rangethemselvesonthesideofprudence，ortheartofsecuringapresentwell-being。Idonotknowifallmatterwillbefoundtobemadeofoneelement，asoxygenorhydrogen，atlast，buttheworldofmannersandactionsiswroughtofonestuff，and，beginwherewewill，weareprettysureinashortspacetobemumblingourtencommandments。

HEROISM

“Paradiseisundertheshadowofswords。“

_Mahomet_

Rubywineisdrunkbyknaves，Sugarspendstofattenslaves，Roseandvine-leafdeckbuffoons；

ThundercloudsareJove\'sfestoons，DroopingoftinwreathsofdreadLightning-knottedroundhishead；

Theheroisnotfedonsweets，Dailyhisownheartheeats；

Chambersofthegreatarejails，Andhead-windsrightforroyalsails。

ESSAYVIII_Heroism_

IntheelderEnglishdramaetcher，thereisaconstantrecognitionofgentility，asifanoblebehaviourwereaseasilymarkedinthesocietyoftheirage，ascolorisinourAmericanpopulation。WhenanyRodrigo，Pedro，orValerioenters，thoughhebeastranger，thedukeorgovernorexclaims，Thisisagentleman，——

andprofferscivilitieswithoutend；butalltherestareslagandrefuse。Inharmonywiththisdelightinpersonaladvantages，thereisintheirplaysacertainheroiccastofcharacteranddialogue，——

asinBonduca，Sophocles，theMadLover，theDoubleMarriage，——

whereinthespeakerissoearnestandcordial，andonsuchdeepgroundsofcharacter，thatthedialogue，ontheslightestadditionalincidentintheplot，risesnaturallyintopoetry。Amongmanytexts，takethefollowing。TheRomanMartiushasconqueredAthens，——allbuttheinvinciblespiritsofSophocles，thedukeofAthens，andDorigen，hiswife。ThebeautyofthelatterinflamesMartius，andheseekstosaveherhusband；butSophocleswillnotaskhislife，althoughassuredthatawordwillsavehim，andtheexecutionofbothproceeds。

“_Valerius_。Bidthywifefarewell。

_Soph_。No，Iwilltakenoleave。MyDorigen，Yonder，above，\'boutAriadne\'scrown，Myspiritshallhoverforthee。Prithee，haste。

_Dor_。Stay，Sophocles，——withthistieupmysight；

Letnotsoftnaturesotransformedbe，Andlosehergentlersexedhumanity，Tomakemeseemylordbleed。So，\'tiswell；

NeveroneobjectunderneaththesunWillIbeholdbeforemySophocles：

Farewell；nowteachtheRomanshowtodie。

_Mar_。Dostknowwhat\'tistodie？

_Soph_。Thoudostnot，Martius，And，therefore，notwhat\'tistolive；todieIstobegintolive。Itistoend|P372|p1

Anold，stale，wearywork，andtocommenceAnewerandabetter。\'TistoleaveDeceitfulknavesforthesocietyOfgodsandgoodness。ThouthyselfmustpartAtlastfromallthygarlands，pleasures，triumphs，Andprovethyfortitudewhatthen\'twilldo。

_Val_。Butartnotgrievednorvexedtoleavethylifethus？

_Soph_。WhyshouldIgrieveorvexforbeingsentTothemIeverlovedbest？NowI\'llkneel，Butwithmybacktowardthee；\'tisthelastdutyThistrunkcandothegods。

_Mar_。Strike，strike，Valerius，OrMartius\'heartwillleapoutathismouth：

Thisisaman，awoman！Kissthylord，Andlivewithallthefreedomyouwerewont。

Olove！thoudoublyhastafflictedmeWithvirtueandwithbeauty。Treacherousheart，Myhandshallcasttheequickintomyurn，Erethoutransgressthisknotofpiety。

_Val_。Whatailsmybrother？

_Soph_。Martius，OMartius，Thounowhastfoundawaytoconquerme。

_Dor_。OstarofRome！whatgratitudecanspeakFitwordstofollowsuchadeedasthis？

_Mar_。Thisadmirableduke，Valerius，Withhisdisdainoffortuneandofdeath，Captivedhimself，hascaptivatedme，Andthoughmyarmhathta\'enhisbodyhere，HissoulhathsubjugatedMartius\'soul。

ByRomulus，heisallsoul，Ithink；

Hehathnoflesh，andspiritcannotbegyved；

Thenwehavevanquishednothing；heisfree，AndMartiuswalksnowincaptivity。“

Idonotreadilyrememberanypoem，play，sermon，novel，ororation，thatourpressventsinthelastfewyears，whichgoestothesametune。Wehaveagreatmanyflutesandflageolets，butnotoftenthesoundofanyfife。Yet，Wordsworth\'sLaodamia，andtheodeof“Dion，“andsomesonnets，haveacertainnoblemusic；andScottwillsometimesdrawastrokeliketheprotraitofLordEvandale，givenbyBalfourofBurley。ThomasCarlyle，withhisnaturaltasteforwhatismanlyanddaringincharacter，hassufferednoheroictraitinhisfavoritestodropfromhisbiographicalandhistoricalpictures。Earlier，RobertBurnshasgivenusasongortwo。IntheHarleianMiscellanies，thereisanaccountofthebattleofLutzen，whichdeservestoberead。AndSimonOckley\'sHistoryoftheSaracensrecountstheprodigiesofindividualvalorwithadmiration，allthemoreevidentonthepartofthenarrator，thatheseemstothinkthathisplaceinChristianOxfordrequiresofhimsomeproperprotestationsofabhorrence。But，ifweexploretheliteratureofHeroism，weshallquicklycometoPlutarch，whoisitsDoctorandhistorian。TohimweowetheBrasidas，theDion，theEpaminondas，theScipioofold，andImustthinkwearemoredeeplyindebtedtohimthantoalltheancientwriters。Eachofhis“Lives“isarefutationtothedespondencyandcowardiceofourreligiousandpoliticaltheorists。Awildcourage，aStoicismnotoftheschools，butoftheblood，shinesineveryanecdote，andhasgiventhatbookitsimmensefame。

Weneedbooksofthistartcatharticvirtue，morethanbooksofpoliticalscience，orofprivateeconomy。Lifeisafestivalonlytothewise。Seenfromthenookandchimney-sideofprudence，itwearsaraggedanddangerousfront。Theviolationsofthelawsofnaturebyourpredecessorsandourcontemporariesarepunishedinusalso。

Thediseaseanddeformityarounduscertifytheinfractionofnatural，intellectual，andmorallaws，andoftenviolationonviolationtobreedsuchcompoundmisery。Alock-jawthatbendsaman\'sheadbacktohisheels，hydrophobia，thatmakeshimbarkathiswifeandbabes，insanity，thatmakeshimeatgrass；war，plague，cholera，famine，indicateacertainferocityinnature，which，asithaditsinletbyhumancrime，musthaveitsoutletbyhumansuffering。Unhappily，nomanexistswhohasnotinhisownpersonbecome，tosomeamount，astockholderinthesin，andsomadehimselfliabletoashareintheexpiation。

Ourculture，therefore，mustnotomitthearmingoftheman。

Lethimhearinseason，thatheisbornintothestateofwar，andthatthecommonwealthandhisownwell-beingrequirethatheshouldnotgodancingintheweedsofpeace，butwarned，self-collected，andneitherdefyingnordreadingthethunder，lethimtakebothreputationandlifeinhishand，and，withperfecturbanity，darethegibbetandthemobbytheabsolutetruthofhisspeech，andtherectitudeofhisbehaviour。

Towardsallthisexternalevil，themanwithinthebreastassumesawarlikeattitude，andaffirmshisabilitytocopesingle-handedwiththeinfinitearmyofenemies。TothismilitaryattitudeofthesoulwegivethenameofHeroism。Itsrudestformisthecontemptforsafetyandease，whichmakestheattractivenessofwar。Itisaself-trustwhichslightstherestraintsofprudence，intheplenitudeofitsenergyandpowertorepairtheharmsitmaysuffer。Theheroisamindofsuchbalancethatnodisturbancescanshakehiswill，butpleasantly，and，asitwere，merrily，headvancestohisownmusic，alikeinfrightfulalarmsandinthetipsymirthofuniversaldissoluteness。Thereissomewhatnotphilosophicalinheroism；thereissomewhatnotholyinit；itseemsnottoknowthatothersoulsareofonetexturewithit；ithaspride；itistheextremeofindividualnature。Nevertheless，wemustprofoundlyrevereit。Thereissomewhatingreatactions，whichdoesnotallowustogobehindthem。Heroismfeelsandneverreasons，andthereforeisalwaysright；andalthoughadifferentbreeding，differentreligion，andgreaterintellectualactivitywouldhavemodifiedorevenreversedtheparticularaction，yetfortheherothatthinghedoesisthehighestdeed，andisnotopentothecensureofphilosophersordivines。Itistheavowaloftheunschooledman，thathefindsaqualityinhimthatisnegligentofexpense，ofhealth，oflife，ofdanger，ofhatred，ofreproach，andknowsthathiswillishigherandmoreexcellentthanallactualandallpossibleantagonists。

Heroismworksincontradictiontothevoiceofmankind，andincontradiction，foratime，tothevoiceofthegreatandgood。

Heroismisanobediencetoasecretimpulseofanindividual\'scharacter。Nowtonoothermancanitswisdomappearasitdoestohim，foreverymanmustbesupposedtoseealittlefartheronhisownproperpaththananyoneelse。Therefore，justandwisementakeumbrageathisact，untilaftersomelittletimebepast：thentheyseeittobeinunisonwiththeiracts。Allprudentmenseethattheactioniscleancontrarytoasensualprosperity；foreveryheroicactmeasuresitselfbyitscontemptofsomeexternalgood。Butitfindsitsownsuccessatlast，andthentheprudentalsoextol。

Self-trustistheessenceofheroism。Itisthestateofthesoulatwar，anditsultimateobjectsarethelastdefianceoffalsehoodandwrong，andthepowertobearallthatcanbeinflictedbyevilagents。Itspeaksthetruth，anditisjust，generous，hospitable，temperate，scornfulofpettycalculations，andscornfulofbeingscorned。Itpersists；itisofanundauntedboldness，andofafortitudenottobeweariedout。Itsjestisthelittlenessofcommonlife。Thatfalseprudencewhichdotesonhealthandwealthisthebuttandmerrimentofheroism。Heroism，likePlotinus，isalmostashamedofitsbody。Whatshallitsay，then，tothesugar-plumsandcats\'-cradles，tothetoilet，compliments，quarrels，cards，andcustard，whichrackthewitofallsociety。Whatjoyshaskindnatureprovidedforusdearcreatures！Thereseemstobenointervalbetweengreatnessandmeanness。Whenthespiritisnotmasteroftheworld，thenitisitsdupe。Yetthelittlemantakesthegreathoaxsoinnocently，worksinitsoheadlongandbelieving，isbornred，anddiesgray，arranginghistoilet，attendingonhisownhealth，layingtrapsforsweetfoodandstrongwine，settinghisheartonahorseorarifle，madehappywithalittlegossiporalittlepraise，thatthegreatsoulcannotchoosebutlaughatsuchearnestnonsense。

“Indeed，thesehumbleconsiderationsmakemeoutoflovewithgreatness。Whatadisgraceisittometotakenotehowmanypairsofsilkstockingsthouhast，namely，theseandthosethatwerethepeach-coloredones；ortobeartheinventoryofthyshirts，asoneforsuperfluity，andoneotherforuse！”

Citizens，thinkingafterthelawsofarithmetic，considertheinconvenienceofreceivingstrangersattheirfireside，reckonnarrowlythelossoftimeandtheunusualdisplay：thesoulofabetterqualitythrustsbacktheunseasonableeconomyintothevaultsoflife，andsays，IwillobeytheGod，andthesacrificeandthefirehewillprovide。IbnHaukal，theArabiangeographer，describesaheroicextremeinthehospitalityofSogd，inBukharia。“WhenI

wasinSogd，Isawagreatbuilding，likeapalace，thegatesofwhichwereopenandfixedbacktothewallwithlargenails。Iaskedthereason，andwastoldthatthehousehadnotbeenshut，nightorday，forahundredyears。Strangersmaypresentthemselvesatanyhour，andinwhatevernumber；themasterhasamplyprovidedforthereceptionofthemenandtheiranimals，andisneverhappierthanwhentheytarryforsometime。NothingofthekindhaveIseeninanyothercountry。“Themagnanimousknowverywellthattheywhogivetime，ormoney，orshelter，tothestranger——soitbedoneforlove，andnotforostentation——do，asitwere，putGodunderobligationtothem，soperfectarethecompensationsoftheuniverse。

Insomewaythetimetheyseemtoloseisredeemed，andthepainstheyseemtotakeremuneratethemselves。Thesemenfantheflameofhumanlove，andraisethestandardofcivilvirtueamongmankind。