第5章

Buthospitalitymustbeforservice，andnotforshow，oritpullsdownthehost。Thebravesoulratesitselftoohightovalueitselfbythesplendorofitstableanddraperies。Itgiveswhatithath，andallithath，butitsownmajestycanlendabettergracetobannocksandfairwaterthanbelongtocityfeasts。

Thetemperanceoftheheroproceedsfromthesamewishtodonodishonortotheworthinesshehas。Buthelovesitforitselegancy，notforitsausterity。Itseemsnotworthhiswhiletobesolemn，anddenouncewithbitternessflesh-eatingorwine-drinking，theuseoftobacco，oropium，ortea，orsilk，orgold。Agreatmanscarcelyknowshowhedines，howhedresses；butwithoutrailingorprecision，hislivingisnaturalandpoetic。JohnEliot，theIndianApostle，drankwater，andsaidofwine，——“Itisanoble，generousliquor，andweshouldbehumblythankfulforit，but，asIremember，waterwasmadebeforeit。“BetterstillisthetemperanceofKingDavid，whopouredoutonthegrounduntotheLordthewaterwhichthreeofhiswarriorshadbroughthimtodrink，attheperiloftheirlives。

ItistoldofBrutus，thatwhenhefellonhissword，afterthebattleofPhilippi，hequotedalineofEuripides，——“Ovirtue！I

havefollowedtheethroughlife，andIfindtheeatlastbutashade。“Idoubtnottheheroisslanderedbythisreport。Theheroicsouldoesnotsellitsjusticeanditsnobleness。Itdoesnotasktodinenicely，andtosleepwarm。Theessenceofgreatnessistheperceptionthatvirtueisenough。Povertyisitsornament。Itdoesnotneedplenty，andcanverywellabideitsloss。

Butthatwhichtakesmyfancymost，intheheroicclass，isthegood-humorandhilaritytheyexhibit。Itisaheighttowhichcommondutycanverywellattain，tosufferandtodarewithsolemnity。Buttheseraresoulssetopinion，success，andlife，atsocheaparate，thattheywillnotsoothetheirenemiesbypetitions，ortheshowofsorrow，butweartheirownhabitualgreatness。Scipio，chargedwithpeculation，refusestodohimselfsogreatadisgraceastowaitforjustification，thoughhehadthescrollofhisaccountsinhishands，buttearsittopiecesbeforethetribunes。Socrates\'scondemnationofhimselftobemaintainedinallhonorinthePrytaneum，duringhislife，andSirThomasMore\'splayfulnessatthescaffold，areofthesamestrain。InBeaumontandFletcher\'s“SeaVoyage，“Julettatellsthestoutcaptainandhiscompany，——

_Jul_。Why，slaves，\'tisinourpowertohangye。

_Master_。Verylikely，\'Tisinourpowers，then，tobehanged，andscornye。“

Theserepliesaresoundandwhole。Sportisthebloomandglowofaperfecthealth。Thegreatwillnotcondescendtotakeanythingseriously；allmustbeasgayasthesongofacanary，thoughitwerethebuildingofcities，ortheeradicationofoldandfoolishchurchesandnations，whichhavecumberedtheearthlongthousandsofyears。Simpleheartsputallthehistoryandcustomsofthisworldbehindthem，andplaytheirowngameininnocentdefianceoftheBlue-Lawsoftheworld；andsuchwouldappear，couldweseethehumanraceassembledinvision，likelittlechildrenfrolickingtogether；

though，totheeyesofmankindatlarge，theywearastatelyandsolemngarbofworksandinfluences。

Theinterestthesefinestorieshaveforus，thepowerofaromanceovertheboywhograspstheforbiddenbookunderhisbenchatschool，ourdelightinthehero，isthemainfacttoourpurpose。

Allthesegreatandtranscendentpropertiesareours。IfwedilateinbeholdingtheGreekenergy，theRomanpride，itisthatwearealreadydomesticatingthesamesentiment。Letusfindroomforthisgreatguestinoursmallhouses。Thefirststepofworthinesswillbetodisabuseusofoursuperstitiousassociationswithplacesandtimes，withnumberandsize。Whyshouldthesewords，Athenian，Roman，Asia，andEngland，sotingleintheear？Wheretheheartis，therethemuses，therethegodssojourn，andnotinanygeographyoffame。Massachusetts，ConnecticutRiver，andBostonBay，youthinkpaltryplaces，andtheearlovesnamesofforeignandclassictopography。Buthereweare；and，ifwewilltarryalittle，wemaycometolearnthathereisbest。Seetoit，only，thatthyselfishere；——andartandnature，hopeandfate，friends，angels，andtheSupremeBeing，shallnotbeabsentfromthechamberwherethousittest。Epaminondas，braveandaffectionate，doesnotseemtoustoneedOlympustodieupon，northeSyriansunshine。Heliesverywellwhereheis。TheJerseyswerehandsomegroundenoughforWashingtontotread，andLondonstreetsforthefeetofMilton。Agreatmanmakeshisclimategenialintheimaginationofmen，anditsairthebelovedelementofalldelicatespirits。Thatcountryisthefairest，whichisinhabitedbythenoblestminds。ThepictureswhichfilltheimaginationinreadingtheactionsofPericles，Xenophon，Columbus，Bayard，Sidney，Hampden，teachushowneedlesslymeanourlifeis，thatwe，bythedepthofourliving，shoulddeckitwithmorethanregalornationalsplendor，andactonprinciplesthatshouldinterestmanandnatureinthelengthofourdays。

Wehaveseenorheardofmanyextraordinaryyoungmen，whoneverripened，orwhoseperformanceinactuallifewasnotextraordinary。Whenweseetheirairandmien，whenwehearthemspeakofsociety，ofbooks，ofreligion，weadmiretheirsuperiority，theyseemtothrowcontemptonourentirepolityandsocialstate；

theirsisthetoneofayouthfulgiant，whoissenttoworkrevolutions。Buttheyenteranactiveprofession，andtheformingColossusshrinkstothecommonsizeofman。Themagictheyusedwastheidealtendencies，whichalwaysmaketheActualridiculous；butthetoughworldhaditsrevengethemomenttheyputtheirhorsesofthesuntoploughinitsfurrow。Theyfoundnoexampleandnocompanion，andtheirheartfainted。Whatthen？Thelessontheygaveintheirfirstaspirationsisyettrue；andabettervalorandapurertruthshallonedayorganizetheirbelief。Orwhyshouldawomanlikenherselftoanyhistoricalwoman，andthink，becauseSappho，orSevigne，orDeStael，orthecloisteredsoulswhohavehadgeniusandcultivation，donotsatisfytheimaginationandthesereneThemis，nonecan，——certainlynotshe。Whynot？Shehasanewandunattemptedproblemtosolve，perchancethatofthehappiestnaturethateverbloomed。Letthemaiden，witherectsoul，walkserenelyonherway，acceptthehintofeachnewexperience，searchinturnalltheobjectsthatsolicithereye，thatshemaylearnthepowerandthecharmofhernew-bornbeing，whichisthekindlingofanewdawnintherecessesofspace。Thefairgirl，whorepelsinterferencebyadecidedandproudchoiceofinfluences，socarelessofpleasing，sowilfulandlofty，inspireseverybeholderwithsomewhatofherownnobleness。Thesilentheartencouragesher；Ofriend，neverstrikesailtoafear！Comeintoportgreatly，orsailwithGodtheseas。

Notinvainyoulive，foreverypassingeyeischeeredandrefinedbythevision。

Thecharacteristicofheroismisitspersistency。Allmenhavewanderingimpulses，fits，andstartsofgenerosity。Butwhenyouhavechosenyourpart，abidebyit，anddonotweaklytrytoreconcileyourselfwiththeworld。Theheroiccannotbethecommon，northecommontheheroic。Yetwehavetheweaknesstoexpectthesympathyofpeopleinthoseactionswhoseexcellenceisthattheyoutrunsympathy，andappealtoatardyjustice。Ifyouwouldserveyourbrother，becauseitisfitforyoutoservehim，donottakebackyourwordswhenyoufindthatprudentpeopledonotcommendyou。

Adheretoyourownact，andcongratulateyourselfifyouhavedonesomethingstrangeandextravagant，andbrokenthemonotonyofadecorousage。ItwasahighcounselthatIonceheardgiventoayoungperson，——“Alwaysdowhatyouareafraidtodo。“Asimple，manlycharacterneednevermakeanapology，butshouldregarditspastactionwiththecalmnessofPhocion，whenheadmittedthattheeventofthebattlewashappy，yetdidnotregrethisdissuasionfromthebattle。

Thereisnoweaknessorexposureforwhichwecannotfindconsolationinthethought，——thisisapartofmyconstitution，partofmyrelationandofficetomyfellow-creature。HasnaturecovenantedwithmethatIshouldneverappeartodisadvantage，nevermakearidiculousfigure？Letusbegenerousofourdignity，aswellasofourmoney。Greatnessonceandforeverhasdonewithopinion。

Wetellourcharities，notbecausewewishtobepraisedforthem，notbecausewethinktheyhavegreatmerit，butforourjustification。Itisacapitalblunder；asyoudiscover，whenanothermanreciteshischarities。

Tospeakthetruth，evenwithsomeausterity，tolivewithsomerigoroftemperance，orsomeextremesofgenerosity，seemstobeanasceticismwhichcommongood-naturewouldappointtothosewhoareateaseandinplenty，insignthattheyfeelabrotherhoodwiththegreatmultitudeofsufferingmen。Andnotonlyneedwebreatheandexercisethesoulbyassumingthepenaltiesofabstinence，ofdebt，ofsolitude，ofunpopularity，butitbehoovesthewisemantolookwithaboldeyeintothoserarerdangerswhichsometimesinvademen，andtofamiliarizehimselfwithdisgustingformsofdisease，withsoundsofexecration，andthevisionofviolentdeath。

Timesofheroismaregenerallytimesofterror，butthedaynevershinesinwhichthiselementmaynotwork。Thecircumstancesofman，wesay，arehistoricallysomewhatbetterinthiscountry，andatthishour，thanperhapseverbefore。Morefreedomexistsforculture。Itwillnotnowrunagainstanaxeatthefirststepoutofthebeatentrackofopinion。Butwhosoisheroicwillalwaysfindcrisestotryhisedge。Humanvirtuedemandsherchampionsandmartyrs，andthetrialofpersecutionalwaysproceeds。ItisbuttheotherdaythatthebraveLovejoygavehisbreasttothebulletsofamob，fortherightsoffreespeechandopinion，anddiedwhenitwasbetternottolive。

Iseenotanyroadofperfectpeacewhichamancanwalk，butafterthecounselofhisownbosom。Lethimquittoomuchassociation，lethimgohomemuch，andstablishhimselfinthosecoursesheapproves。Theunremittingretentionofsimpleandhighsentimentsinobscuredutiesishardeningthecharactertothattemperwhichwillworkwithhonor，ifneedbe，inthetumult，oronthescaffold。Whateveroutrageshavehappenedtomenmaybefallamanagain；andveryeasilyinarepublic，ifthereappearanysignsofadecayofreligion。Coarseslander，fire，tarandfeathers，andthegibbet，theyouthmayfreelybringhometohismind，andwithwhatsweetnessoftemperhecan，andinquirehowfasthecanfixhissenseofduty，bravingsuchpenalties，wheneveritmaypleasethenextnewspaperandasufficientnumberofhisneighbourstopronouncehisopinionsincendiary。

Itmaycalmtheapprehensionofcalamityinthemostsusceptiblehearttoseehowquickaboundnaturehassettotheutmostinflictionofmalice。Werapidlyapproachabrinkoverwhichnoenemycanfollowus。

“Letthemrave：

Thouartquietinthygrave。“

Inthegloomofourignoranceofwhatshallbe，inthehourwhenwearedeaftothehighervoices，whodoesnotenvythosewhohaveseensafelytoanendtheirmanfulendeavour？Whothatseesthemeannessofourpolitics，butinlycongratulatesWashingtonthatheislongalreadywrappedinhisshroud，andforeversafe；thathewaslaidsweetinhisgrave，thehopeofhumanitynotyetsubjugatedinhim？Whodoesnotsometimesenvythegoodandbrave，whoarenomoretosufferfromthetumultsofthenaturalworld，andawaitwithcuriouscomplacencythespeedytermofhisownconversationwithfinitenature？Andyetthelovethatwillbeannihilatedsoonerthantreacheroushasalreadymadedeathimpossible，andaffirmsitselfnomortal，butanativeofthedeepsofabsoluteandinextinguishablebeing。

THEOVER-SOUL

“Butsoulsthatofhisowngoodlifepartake，Helovesashisownself；dearashiseyeTheyaretoHim：He\'llneverthemforsake：

Whentheyshalldie，thenGodhimselfshalldie：

Theylive，theyliveinblesteternity。“

_HenryMore_

Spaceisample，eastandwest，Buttwocannotgoabreast，Cannottravelinittwo：

YondermasterfulcuckooCrowdseveryeggoutofthenest，Quickordead，exceptitsown；

Aspellislaidonsodandstone，NightandDay\'vebeentamperedwith，EveryqualityandpithSurchargedandsultrywithapowerThatworksitswillonageandhour。

ESSAYIX_TheOver-Soul_

Thereisadifferencebetweenoneandanotherhouroflife，intheirauthorityandsubsequenteffect。Ourfaithcomesinmoments；

ourviceishabitual。Yetthereisadepthinthosebriefmomentswhichconstrainsustoascribemorerealitytothemthantoallotherexperiences。Forthisreason，theargumentwhichisalwaysforthcomingtosilencethosewhoconceiveextraordinaryhopesofman，namely，theappealtoexperience，isforeverinvalidandvain。Wegiveupthepasttotheobjector，andyetwehope。Hemustexplainthishope。Wegrantthathumanlifeismean；buthowdidwefindoutthatitwasmean？Whatisthegroundofthisuneasinessofours；ofthisolddiscontent？Whatistheuniversalsenseofwantandignorance，butthefineinuendobywhichthesoulmakesitsenormousclaim？Whydomenfeelthatthenaturalhistoryofmanhasneverbeenwritten，butheisalwaysleavingbehindwhatyouhavesaidofhim，anditbecomesold，andbooksofmetaphysicsworthless？Thephilosophyofsixthousandyearshasnotsearchedthechambersandmagazinesofthesoul。Initsexperimentstherehasalwaysremained，inthelastanalysis，aresiduumitcouldnotresolve。Manisastreamwhosesourceishidden。Ourbeingisdescendingintousfromweknownotwhence。Themostexactcalculatorhasnopresciencethatsomewhatincalculablemaynotbalktheverynextmoment。IamconstrainedeverymomenttoacknowledgeahigheroriginforeventsthanthewillIcallmine。

Aswithevents，soisitwiththoughts。WhenIwatchthatflowingriver，which，outofregionsIseenot，poursforaseasonitsstreamsintome，IseethatIamapensioner；notacause，butasurprisedspectatorofthisetherealwater；thatIdesireandlookup，andputmyselfintheattitudeofreception，butfromsomealienenergythevisionscome。

TheSupremeCriticontheerrorsofthepastandthepresent，andtheonlyprophetofthatwhichmustbe，isthatgreatnatureinwhichwerest，astheearthliesinthesoftarmsoftheatmosphere；

thatUnity，thatOver-soul，withinwhicheveryman\'sparticularbeingiscontainedandmadeonewithallother；thatcommonheart，ofwhichallsincereconversationistheworship，towhichallrightactionissubmission；thatoverpoweringrealitywhichconfutesourtricksandtalents，andconstrainseveryonetopassforwhatheis，andtospeakfromhischaracter，andnotfromhistongue，andwhichevermoretendstopassintoourthoughtandhand，andbecomewisdom，andvirtue，andpower，andbeauty。Weliveinsuccession，indivision，inparts，inparticles。Meantimewithinmanisthesoulofthewhole；thewisesilence；theuniversalbeauty，towhicheverypartandparticleisequallyrelated；theeternalONE。Andthisdeeppowerinwhichweexist，andwhosebeatitudeisallaccessibletous，isnotonlyself-sufficingandperfectineveryhour，buttheactofseeingandthethingseen，theseerandthespectacle，thesubjectandtheobject，areone。Weseetheworldpiecebypiece，asthesun，themoon，theanimal，thetree；butthewhole，ofwhichthesearetheshiningparts，isthesoul。OnlybythevisionofthatWisdomcanthehoroscopeoftheagesberead，andbyfallingbackonourbetterthoughts，byyieldingtothespiritofprophecywhichisinnateineveryman，wecanknowwhatitsaith。Everyman\'swords，whospeaksfromthatlife，mustsoundvaintothosewhodonotdwellinthesamethoughtontheirownpart。Idarenotspeakforit。Mywordsdonotcarryitsaugustsense；theyfallshortandcold。Onlyitselfcaninspirewhomitwill，andbehold！theirspeechshallbelyrical，andsweet，anduniversalastherisingofthewind。YetI

desire，evenbyprofanewords，ifImaynotusesacred，toindicatetheheavenofthisdeity，andtoreportwhathintsIhavecollectedofthetranscendentsimplicityandenergyoftheHighestLaw。

Ifweconsiderwhathappensinconversation，inreveries，inremorse，intimesofpassion，insurprises，intheinstructionsofdreams，whereinoftenweseeourselvesinmasquerade，——thedrolldisguisesonlymagnifyingandenhancingarealelement，andforcingitonourdistinctnotice，——weshallcatchmanyhintsthatwillbroadenandlightenintoknowledgeofthesecretofnature。Allgoestoshowthatthesoulinmanisnotanorgan，butanimatesandexercisesalltheorgans；isnotafunction，likethepowerofmemory，ofcalculation，ofcomparison，butusestheseashandsandfeet；isnotafaculty，butalight；isnottheintellectorthewill，butthemasteroftheintellectandthewill；isthebackgroundofourbeing，inwhichtheylie，——animmensitynotpossessedandthatcannotbepossessed。Fromwithinorfrombehind，alightshinesthroughusuponthings，andmakesusawarethatwearenothing，butthelightisall。Amanisthefasadeofatemplewhereinallwisdomandallgoodabide。Whatwecommonlycallman，theeating，drinking，planting，countingman，doesnot，asweknowhim，representhimself，butmisrepresentshimself。Himwedonotrespect，butthesoul，whoseorganheis，wouldheletitappearthroughhisaction，wouldmakeourkneesbend。Whenitbreathesthroughhisintellect，itisgenius；whenitbreathesthroughhiswill，itisvirtue；whenitflowsthroughhisaffection，itislove。Andtheblindnessoftheintellectbegins，whenitwouldbesomethingofitself。Theweaknessofthewillbegins，whentheindividualwouldbesomethingofhimself。Allreformaims，insomeoneparticular，toletthesoulhaveitswaythroughus；inotherwords，toengageustoobey。

Ofthispurenatureeverymanisatsometimesensible。

Languagecannotpaintitwithhiscolors。Itistoosubtile。Itisundefinable，unmeasurable，butweknowthatitpervadesandcontainsus。Weknowthatallspiritualbeingisinman。Awiseoldproverbsays，“Godcomestoseeuswithoutbell“；thatis，asthereisnoscreenorceilingbetweenourheadsandtheinfiniteheavens，soistherenobarorwallinthesoulwhereman，theeffect，ceases，andGod，thecause，begins。Thewallsaretakenaway。Welieopenononesidetothedeepsofspiritualnature，totheattributesofGod。

Justiceweseeandknow，Love，Freedom，Power。Thesenaturesnomanevergotabove，buttheytoweroverus，andmostinthemomentwhenourintereststemptustowoundthem。

Thesovereigntyofthisnaturewhereofwespeakismadeknownbyitsindependencyofthoselimitationswhichcircumscribeusoneveryhand。Thesoulcircumscribesallthings。AsIhavesaid，itcontradictsallexperience。Inlikemanneritabolishestimeandspace。Theinfluenceofthesenseshas，inmostmen，overpoweredthemindtothatdegree，thatthewallsoftimeandspacehavecometolookrealandinsurmountable；andtospeakwithlevityoftheselimitsis，intheworld，thesignofinsanity。Yettimeandspacearebutinversemeasuresoftheforceofthesoul。Thespiritsportswithtime，——

“Cancrowdeternityintoanhour，Orstretchanhourtoeternity。“

Weareoftenmadetofeelthatthereisanotheryouthandagethanthatwhichismeasuredfromtheyearofournaturalbirth。Somethoughtsalwaysfindusyoung，andkeepusso。Suchathoughtistheloveoftheuniversalandeternalbeauty。Everymanpartsfromthatcontemplationwiththefeelingthatitratherbelongstoagesthantomortallife。Theleastactivityoftheintellectualpowersredeemsusinadegreefromtheconditionsoftime。Insickness，inlanguor，giveusastrainofpoetry，oraprofoundsentence，andwearerefreshed；orproduceavolumeofPlato，orShakspeare，orremindusoftheirnames，andinstantlywecomeintoafeelingoflongevity。

Seehowthedeep，divinethoughtreducescenturies，andmillenniums，andmakesitselfpresentthroughallages。IstheteachingofChristlesseffectivenowthanitwaswhenfirsthismouthwasopened？Theemphasisoffactsandpersonsinmythoughthasnothingtodowithtime。Andso，always，thesoul\'sscaleisone；thescaleofthesensesandtheunderstandingisanother。Beforetherevelationsofthesoul，Time，Space，andNatureshrinkaway。Incommonspeech，wereferallthingstotime，aswehabituallyrefertheimmenselysunderedstarstooneconcavesphere。AndsowesaythattheJudgmentisdistantornear，thattheMillenniumapproaches，thatadayofcertainpolitical，moral，socialreformsisathand，andthelike，whenwemean，that，inthenatureofthings，oneofthefactswecontemplateisexternalandfugitive，andtheotherispermanentandconnatewiththesoul。Thethingswenowesteemfixedshall，onebyone，detachthemselves，likeripefruit，fromourexperience，andfall。Thewindshallblowthemnoneknowswhither。Thelandscape，thefigures，Boston，London，arefactsasfugitiveasanyinstitutionpast，oranywhiffofmistorsmoke，andsoissociety，andsoistheworld。Thesoullookethsteadilyforwards，creatingaworldbeforeher，leavingworldsbehindher。Shehasnodates，norrites，norpersons，norspecialties，normen。Thesoulknowsonlythesoul；thewebofeventsistheflowingrobeinwhichsheisclothed。

Afteritsownlawandnotbyarithmeticistherateofitsprogresstobecomputed。Thesoul\'sadvancesarenotmadebygradation，suchascanberepresentedbymotioninastraightline；

butratherbyascensionofstate，suchascanberepresentedbymetamorphosis，——fromtheeggtotheworm，fromthewormtothefly。

Thegrowthsofgeniusareofacertain_total_character，thatdoesnotadvancetheelectindividualfirstoverJohn，thenAdam，thenRichard，andgivetoeachthepainofdiscoveredinferiority，butbyeverythroeofgrowththemanexpandstherewhereheworks，passing，ateachpulsation，classes，populations，ofmen。Witheachdivineimpulsethemindrendsthethinrindsofthevisibleandfinite，andcomesoutintoeternity，andinspiresandexpiresitsair。Itconverseswithtruthsthathavealwaysbeenspokenintheworld，andbecomesconsciousofaclosersympathywithZenoandArrian，thanwithpersonsinthehouse。

Thisisthelawofmoralandofmentalgain。Thesimpleriseasbyspecificlevity，notintoaparticularvirtue，butintotheregionofallthevirtues。Theyareinthespiritwhichcontainsthemall。Thesoulrequirespurity，butpurityisnotit；requiresjustice，butjusticeisnotthat；requiresbeneficence，butissomewhatbetter；sothatthereisakindofdescentandaccommodationfeltwhenweleavespeakingofmoralnature，tourgeavirtuewhichitenjoins。Tothewell-bornchild，allthevirtuesarenatural，andnotpainfullyacquired。Speaktohisheart，andthemanbecomessuddenlyvirtuous。

Withinthesamesentimentisthegermofintellectualgrowth，whichobeysthesamelaw。Thosewhoarecapableofhumility，ofjustice，oflove，ofaspiration，standalreadyonaplatformthatcommandsthesciencesandarts，speechandpoetry，actionandgrace。

Forwhosodwellsinthismoralbeatitudealreadyanticipatesthosespecialpowerswhichmenprizesohighly。Theloverhasnotalent，noskill，whichpassesforquitenothingwithhisenamouredmaiden，howeverlittleshemaypossessofrelatedfaculty；andtheheartwhichabandonsitselftotheSupremeMindfindsitselfrelatedtoallitsworks，andwilltravelaroyalroadtoparticularknowledgesandpowers。Inascendingtothisprimaryandaboriginalsentiment，wehavecomefromourremotestationonthecircumferenceinstantaneouslytothecentreoftheworld，where，asintheclosetofGod，weseecauses，andanticipatetheuniverse，whichisbutasloweffect。

Onemodeofthedivineteachingistheincarnationofthespiritinaform，——informs，likemyown。Iliveinsociety；withpersonswhoanswertothoughtsinmyownmind，orexpressacertainobediencetothegreatinstinctstowhichIlive。Iseeitspresencetothem。Iamcertifiedofacommonnature；andtheseothersouls，theseseparatedselves，drawmeasnothingelsecan。Theystirinmethenewemotionswecallpassion；oflove，hatred，fear，admiration，pity；thencecomesconversation，competition，persuasion，cities，andwar。Personsaresupplementarytotheprimaryteachingofthesoul。

Inyouthwearemadforpersons。Childhoodandyouthseealltheworldinthem。Butthelargerexperienceofmandiscoverstheidenticalnatureappearingthroughthemall。Personsthemselvesacquaintuswiththeimpersonal。Inallconversationbetweentwopersons，tacitreferenceismade，astoathirdparty，toacommonnature。Thatthirdpartyorcommonnatureisnotsocial；itisimpersonal；isGod。Andsoingroupswheredebateisearnest，andespeciallyonhighquestions，thecompanybecomeawarethatthethoughtrisestoanequallevelinallbosoms，thatallhaveaspiritualpropertyinwhatwassaid，aswellasthesayer。Theyallbecomewiserthantheywere。Itarchesoverthemlikeatemple，thisunityofthought，inwhicheveryheartbeatswithnoblersenseofpowerandduty，andthinksandactswithunusualsolemnity。Allareconsciousofattainingtoahigherself-possession。Itshinesforall。Thereisacertainwisdomofhumanitywhichiscommontothegreatestmenwiththelowest，andwhichourordinaryeducationoftenlaborstosilenceandobstruct。Themindisone，andthebestminds，wholovetruthforitsownsake，thinkmuchlessofpropertyintruth。Theyacceptitthankfullyeverywhere，anddonotlabelorstampitwithanyman\'sname，foritistheirslongbeforehand，andfrometernity。Thelearnedandthestudiousofthoughthavenomonopolyofwisdom。Theirviolenceofdirectioninsomedegreedisqualifiesthemtothinktruly。Weowemanyvaluableobservationstopeoplewhoarenotveryacuteorprofound，andwhosaythethingwithouteffort，whichwewantandhavelongbeenhuntinginvain。

Theactionofthesoulisoftenerinthatwhichisfeltandleftunsaid，thaninthatwhichissaidinanyconversation。Itbroodsovereverysociety，andtheyunconsciouslyseekforitineachother。

Weknowbetterthanwedo。Wedonotyetpossessourselves，andweknowatthesametimethatwearemuchmore。Ifeelthesametruthhowofteninmytrivialconversationwithmyneighbours，thatsomewhathigherineachofusoverlooksthisby-play，andJovenodstoJovefrombehindeachofus。

Mendescendtomeet。Intheirhabitualandmeanservicetotheworld，forwhichtheyforsaketheirnativenobleness，theyresemblethoseArabiansheiks，whodwellinmeanhouses，andaffectanexternalpoverty，toescapetherapacityofthePacha，andreservealltheirdisplayofwealthfortheirinteriorandguardedretirements。

Asitispresentinallpersons，soitisineveryperiodoflife。Itisadultalreadyintheinfantman。Inmydealingwithmychild，myLatinandGreek，myaccomplishmentsandmymoneysteadmenothing；butasmuchsoulasIhaveavails。IfIamwilful，hesetshiswillagainstmine，oneforone，andleavesme，ifIplease，thedegradationofbeatinghimbymysuperiorityofstrength。ButifI

renouncemywill，andactforthesoul，settingthatupasumpirebetweenustwo，outofhisyoungeyeslooksthesamesoul；hereveresandloveswithme。

Thesoulistheperceiverandrevealeroftruth。Weknowtruthwhenweseeit，letskepticandscoffersaywhattheychoose。

Foolishpeopleaskyou，whenyouhavespokenwhattheydonotwishtohear，`Howdoyouknowitistruth，andnotanerrorofyourown？\'Weknowtruthwhenweseeit，fromopinion，asweknowwhenweareawakethatweareawake。ItwasagrandsentenceofEmanuelSwedenborg，whichwouldaloneindicatethegreatnessofthatman\'sperception，——

“Itisnoproofofaman\'sunderstandingtobeabletoconfirmwhateverhepleases；buttobeabletodiscernthatwhatistrueistrue，andthatwhatisfalseisfalse，thisisthemarkandcharacterofintelligence。“InthebookIread，thegoodthoughtreturnstome，aseverytruthwill，theimageofthewholesoul。TothebadthoughtwhichIfindinit，thesamesoulbecomesadiscerning，separatingsword，andlopsitaway。Wearewiserthanweknow。Ifwewillnotinterferewithourthought，butwillactentirely，orseehowthethingstandsinGod，weknowtheparticularthing，andeverything，andeveryman。FortheMakerofallthingsandallpersonsstandsbehindus，andcastshisdreadomnisciencethroughusoverthings。

Butbeyondthisrecognitionofitsowninparticularpassagesoftheindividual\'sexperience，italsorevealstruth。Andhereweshouldseektoreinforceourselvesbyitsverypresence，andtospeakwithaworthier，loftierstrainofthatadvent。Forthesoul\'scommunicationoftruthisthehighesteventinnature，sinceitthendoesnotgivesomewhatfromitself，butitgivesitself，orpassesintoandbecomesthatmanwhomitenlightens；or，inproportiontothattruthhereceives，ittakeshimtoitself。

Wedistinguishtheannouncementsofthesoul，itsmanifestationsofitsownnature，bytheterm_Revelation_。Thesearealwaysattendedbytheemotionofthesublime。ForthiscommunicationisaninfluxoftheDivinemindintoourmind。Itisanebboftheindividualrivuletbeforetheflowingsurgesoftheseaoflife。Everydistinctapprehensionofthiscentralcommandmentagitatesmenwithaweanddelight。Athrillpassesthroughallmenatthereceptionofnewtruth，orattheperformanceofagreataction，whichcomesoutoftheheartofnature。Inthesecommunications，thepowertoseeisnotseparatedfromthewilltodo，buttheinsightproceedsfromobedience，andtheobedienceproceedsfromajoyfulperception。Everymomentwhentheindividualfeelshimselfinvadedbyitismemorable。Bythenecessityofourconstitution，acertainenthusiasmattendstheindividual\'sconsciousnessofthatdivinepresence。Thecharacteranddurationofthisenthusiasmvarieswiththestateoftheindividual，fromanecstasyandtranceandpropheticinspiration，——whichisitsrarerappearance，——tothefaintestglowofvirtuousemotion，inwhichformitwarms，likeourhouseholdfires，allthefamiliesandassociationsofmen，andmakessocietypossible。Acertaintendencytoinsanityhasalwaysattendedtheopeningofthereligioussenseinmen，asiftheyhadbeen“blastedwithexcessoflight。“ThetrancesofSocrates，the“union“ofPlotinus，thevisionofPorphyry，theconversionofPaul，theauroraofBehmen，theconvulsionsofGeorgeFoxandhisQuakers，theilluminationofSwedenborg，areofthiskind。Whatwasinthecaseoftheseremarkablepersonsaravishmenthas，ininnumerableinstancesincommonlife，beenexhibitedinlessstrikingmanner。Everywherethehistoryofreligionbetraysatendencytoenthusiasm。TheraptureoftheMoravianandQuietist；

theopeningoftheinternalsenseoftheWord，inthelanguageoftheNewJerusalemChurch；the_revival_oftheCalvinisticchurches；the_experiences_oftheMethodists，arevaryingformsofthatshudderofaweanddelightwithwhichtheindividualsoulalwaysmingleswiththeuniversalsoul。

Thenatureoftheserevelationsisthesame；theyareperceptionsoftheabsolutelaw。Theyaresolutionsofthesoul\'sownquestions。Theydonotanswerthequestionswhichtheunderstandingasks。Thesoulanswersneverbywords，butbythethingitselfthatisinquiredafter。

Revelationisthedisclosureofthesoul。Thepopularnotionofarevelationis，thatitisatellingoffortunes。Inpastoraclesofthesoul，theunderstandingseekstofindanswerstosensualquestions，andundertakestotellfromGodhowlongmenshallexist，whattheirhandsshalldo，andwhoshallbetheircompany，addingnames，anddates，andplaces。Butwemustpicknolocks。Wemustcheckthislowcuriosity。Ananswerinwordsisdelusive；itisreallynoanswertothequestionsyouask。Donotrequireadescriptionofthecountriestowardswhichyousail。Thedescriptiondoesnotdescribethemtoyou，andto-morrowyouarrivethere，andknowthembyinhabitingthem。Menaskconcerningtheimmortalityofthesoul，theemploymentsofheaven，thestateofthesinner，andsoforth。TheyevendreamthatJesushasleftrepliestopreciselytheseinterrogatories。Neveramomentdidthatsublimespiritspeakintheir_patois_。Totruth，justice，love，theattributesofthesoul，theideaofimmutablenessisessentiallyassociated。Jesus，livinginthesemoralsentiments，heedlessofsensualfortunes，heedingonlythemanifestationsofthese，nevermadetheseparationoftheideaofdurationfromtheessenceoftheseattributes，norutteredasyllableconcerningthedurationofthesoul。Itwaslefttohisdisciplestoseverdurationfromthemoralelements，andtoteachtheimmortalityofthesoulasadoctrine，andmaintainitbyevidences。Themomentthedoctrineoftheimmortalityisseparatelytaught，manisalreadyfallen。Intheflowingoflove，intheadorationofhumility，thereisnoquestionofcontinuance。Noinspiredmaneverasksthisquestion，orcondescendstotheseevidences。Forthesoulistruetoitself，andthemaninwhomitisshedabroadcannotwanderfromthepresent，whichisinfinite，toafuturewhichwouldbefinite。

Thesequestionswhichwelusttoaskaboutthefutureareaconfessionofsin。Godhasnoanswerforthem。Noanswerinwordscanreplytoaquestionofthings。Itisnotinanarbitrary“decreeofGod，“butinthenatureofman，thataveilshutsdownonthefactsofto-morrow；forthesoulwillnothaveusreadanyothercipherthanthatofcauseandeffect。Bythisveil，whichcurtainsevents，itinstructsthechildrenofmentoliveinto-day。Theonlymodeofobtainingananswertothesequestionsofthesensesistoforegoalllowcuriosity，and，acceptingthetideofbeingwhichfloatsusintothesecretofnature，workandlive，workandlive，andallunawarestheadvancingsoulhasbuiltandforgedforitselfanewcondition，andthequestionandtheanswerareone。

Bythesamefire，vital，consecrating，celestial，whichburnsuntilitshalldissolveallthingsintothewavesandsurgesofanoceanoflight，weseeandknoweachother，andwhatspiriteachisof。Whocantellthegroundsofhisknowledgeofthecharacteroftheseveralindividualsinhiscircleoffriends？Noman。Yettheiractsandwordsdonotdisappointhim。Inthatman，thoughheknewnoillofhim，heputnotrust。Inthatother，thoughtheyhadseldommet，authenticsignshadyetpassed，tosignifythathemightbetrustedasonewhohadaninterestinhisowncharacter。Weknoweachotherverywell，——whichofushasbeenjusttohimself，andwhetherthatwhichweteachorbeholdisonlyanaspiration，orisourhonesteffortalso。

Wearealldiscernersofspirits。Thatdiagnosisliesaloftinourlifeorunconsciouspower。Theintercourseofsociety，——itstrade，itsreligion，itsfriendships，itsquarrels，——isonewide，judicialinvestigationofcharacter。Infullcourt，orinsmallcommittee，orconfrontedfacetoface，accuserandaccused，menofferthemselvestobejudged。Againsttheirwilltheyexhibitthosedecisivetriflesbywhichcharacterisread。Butwhojudges？andwhat？Notourunderstanding。Wedonotreadthembylearningorcraft。No；thewisdomofthewisemanconsistsherein，thathedoesnotjudgethem；heletsthemjudgethemselves，andmerelyreadsandrecordstheirownverdict。

Byvirtueofthisinevitablenature，privatewillisoverpowered，and，maugreoureffortsorourimperfections，yourgeniuswillspeakfromyou，andminefromme。Thatwhichweare，weshallteach，notvoluntarily，butinvoluntarily。Thoughtscomeintoourmindsbyavenueswhichweneverleftopen，andthoughtsgooutofourmindsthroughavenueswhichwenevervoluntarilyopened。

Characterteachesoverourhead。Theinfallibleindexoftrueprogressisfoundinthetonethemantakes。Neitherhisage，norhisbreeding，norcompany，norbooks，noractions，nortalents，noralltogether，canhinderhimfrombeingdeferentialtoahigherspiritthanhisown。IfhehavenotfoundhishomeinGod，hismanners，hisformsofspeech，theturnofhissentences，thebuild，shallIsay，ofallhisopinions，willinvoluntarilyconfessit，lethimbraveitouthowhewill。Ifhehavefoundhiscentre，theDeitywillshinethroughhim，throughallthedisguisesofignorance，ofungenialtemperament，ofunfavorablecircumstance。Thetoneofseekingisone，andthetoneofhavingisanother。

Thegreatdistinctionbetweenteacherssacredorliterary，——

betweenpoetslikeHerbert，andpoetslikePope，——betweenphilosopherslikeSpinoza，Kant，andColeridge，andphilosopherslikeLocke，Paley，Mackintosh，andStewart，——betweenmenoftheworld，whoarereckonedaccomplishedtalkers，andhereandthereaferventmystic，prophesying，halfinsaneundertheinfinitudeofhisthought，——is，thatoneclassspeak_fromwithin_，orfromexperience，aspartiesandpossessorsofthefact；andtheotherclass，_fromwithout_，asspectatorsmerely，orperhapsasacquaintedwiththefactontheevidenceofthirdpersons。Itisofnousetopreachtomefromwithout。Icandothattooeasilymyself。Jesusspeaksalwaysfromwithin，andinadegreethattranscendsallothers。Inthatisthemiracle。Ibelievebeforehandthatitoughtsotobe。

Allmenstandcontinuallyintheexpectationoftheappearanceofsuchateacher。Butifamandonotspeakfromwithintheveil，wherethewordisonewiththatittellsof，lethimlowlyconfessit。

ThesameOmniscienceflowsintotheintellect，andmakeswhatwecallgenius。Muchofthewisdomoftheworldisnotwisdom，andthemostilluminatedclassofmenarenodoubtsuperiortoliteraryfame，andarenotwriters。Amongthemultitudeofscholarsandauthors，wefeelnohallowingpresence；wearesensibleofaknackandskillratherthanofinspiration；theyhavealight，andknownotwhenceitcomes，andcallittheirown；theirtalentissomeexaggeratedfaculty，someovergrownmember，sothattheirstrengthisadisease。Intheseinstancestheintellectualgiftsdonotmaketheimpressionofvirtue，butalmostofvice；andwefeelthataman\'stalentsstandinthewayofhisadvancementintruth。Butgeniusisreligious。Itisalargerimbibingofthecommonheart。Itisnotanomalous，butmorelike，andnotlesslikeothermen。Thereis，inallgreatpoets，awisdomofhumanitywhichissuperiortoanytalentstheyexercise。Theauthor，thewit，thepartisan，thefinegentleman，doesnottakeplaceoftheman。HumanityshinesinHomer，inChaucer，inSpenser，inShakspeare，inMilton。Theyarecontentwithtruth。Theyusethepositivedegree。Theyseemfrigidandphlegmatictothosewhohavebeenspicedwiththefranticpassionandviolentcoloringofinferior，butpopularwriters。Fortheyarepoetsbythefreecoursewhichtheyallowtotheinformingsoul，whichthroughtheireyesbeholdsagain，andblessesthethingswhichithathmade。Thesoulissuperiortoitsknowledge；wiserthananyofitsworks。Thegreatpoetmakesusfeelourownwealth，andthenwethinklessofhiscompositions。Hisbestcommunicationtoourmindistoteachustodespiseallhehasdone。Shakspearecarriesustosuchaloftystrainofintelligentactivity，astosuggestawealthwhichbeggarshisown；andwethenfeelthatthesplendidworkswhichhehascreated，andwhichinotherhoursweextolasasortofself-existentpoetry，takenostrongerholdofrealnaturethantheshadowofapassingtravellerontherock。TheinspirationwhichuttereditselfinHamletandLearcouldutterthingsasgoodfromdaytoday，forever。Why，then，shouldImakeaccountofHamletandLear，asifwehadnotthesoulfromwhichtheyfellassyllablesfromthetongue？

Thisenergydoesnotdescendintoindividuallifeonanyotherconditionthanentirepossession。Itcomestothelowlyandsimple；

itcomestowhomsoeverwillputoffwhatisforeignandproud；itcomesasinsight；itcomesasserenityandgrandeur。Whenweseethosewhomitinhabits，weareapprizedofnewdegreesofgreatness。

Fromthatinspirationthemancomesbackwithachangedtone。Hedoesnottalkwithmenwithaneyetotheiropinion。Hetriesthem。

Itrequiresofustobeplainandtrue。Thevaintravellerattemptstoembellishhislifebyquotingmylord，andtheprince，andthecountess，whothussaidordidto_him。_Theambitiousvulgarshowyoutheirspoons，andbrooches，andrings，andpreservetheircardsandcompliments。Themorecultivated，intheiraccountoftheirownexperience，culloutthepleasing，poeticcircumstance，——thevisittoRome，themanofgeniustheysaw，thebrilliantfriendtheyknow；

stillfurtheron，perhaps，thegorgeouslandscape，themountainlights，themountainthoughts，theyenjoyedyesterday，——andsoseektothrowaromanticcolorovertheirlife。ButthesoulthatascendstoworshipthegreatGodisplainandtrue；hasnorose-color，nofinefriends，nochivalry，noadventures；doesnotwantadmiration；

dwellsinthehourthatnowis，intheearnestexperienceofthecommonday，——byreasonofthepresentmomentandthemeretriflehavingbecomeporoustothought，andbibulousoftheseaoflight。

Conversewithamindthatisgrandlysimple，andliteraturelookslikeword-catching。Thesimplestutterancesareworthiesttobewritten，yetaretheysocheap，andsothingsofcourse，that，intheinfiniterichesofthesoul，itislikegatheringafewpebblesofftheground，orbottlingalittleairinaphial，whenthewholeearthandthewholeatmosphereareours。Nothingcanpassthere，ormakeyouoneofthecircle，butthecastingasideyourtrappings，anddealingmantomaninnakedtruth，plainconfession，andomniscientaffirmation。

Soulssuchasthesetreatyouasgodswould；walkasgodsintheearth，acceptingwithoutanyadmirationyourwit，yourbounty，yourvirtueeven，——sayratheryouractofduty，foryourvirtuetheyownastheirproperblood，royalasthemselves，andover-royal，andthefatherofthegods。Butwhatrebuketheirplainfraternalbearingcastsonthemutualflatterywithwhichauthorssolaceeachotherandwoundthemselves！Theseflatternot。IdonotwonderthatthesemengotoseeCromwell，andChristina，andCharlestheSecond，andJamestheFirst，andtheGrandTurk。Fortheyare，intheirownelevation，thefellowsofkings，andmustfeeltheserviletoneofconversationintheworld。Theymustalwaysbeagodsendtoprinces，fortheyconfrontthem，akingtoaking，withoutduckingorconcession，andgiveahighnaturetherefreshmentandsatisfactionofresistance，ofplainhumanity，ofevencompanionship，andofnewideas。Theyleavethemwiserandsuperiormen。Soulslikethesemakeusfeelthatsincerityismoreexcellentthanflattery。Dealsoplainlywithmanandwoman，astoconstraintheutmostsincerity，anddestroyallhopeoftriflingwithyou。Itisthehighestcomplimentyoucanpay。Their“highestpraising，“saidMilton，“isnotflattery，andtheirplainestadviceisakindofpraising。“

IneffableistheunionofmanandGodineveryactofthesoul。

Thesimplestperson，whoinhisintegrityworshipsGod，becomesGod；

yetforeverandevertheinfluxofthisbetteranduniversalselfisnewandunsearchable。Itinspiresaweandastonishment。Howdear，howsoothingtoman，arisestheideaofGod，peoplingthelonelyplace，effacingthescarsofourmistakesanddisappointments！Whenwehavebrokenourgodoftradition，andceasedfromourgodofrhetoric，thenmayGodfiretheheartwithhispresence。Itisthedoublingoftheheartitself，nay，theinfiniteenlargementoftheheartwithapowerofgrowthtoanewinfinityoneveryside。Itinspiresinmananinfallibletrust。Hehasnottheconviction，butthesight，thatthebestisthetrue，andmayinthatthoughteasilydismissallparticularuncertaintiesandfears，andadjourntothesurerevelationoftime，thesolutionofhisprivateriddles。Heissurethathiswelfareisdeartotheheartofbeing。Inthepresenceoflawtohismind，heisoverflowedwithareliancesouniversal，thatitsweepsawayallcherishedhopesandthemoststableprojectsofmortalconditioninitsflood。Hebelievesthathecannotescapefromhisgood。Thethingsthatarereallyfortheegravitatetothee。Youarerunningtoseekyourfriend。Letyourfeetrun，butyourmindneednot。Ifyoudonotfindhim，willyounotacquiescethatitisbestyoushouldnotfindhim？forthereisapower，which，asitisinyou，isinhimalso，andcouldthereforeverywellbringyoutogether，ifitwereforthebest。Youarepreparingwitheagernesstogoandrenderaservicetowhichyourtalentandyourtasteinviteyou，theloveofmenandthehopeoffame。Hasitnotoccurredtoyou，thatyouhavenorighttogo，unlessyouareequallywillingtobepreventedfromgoing？O，believe，asthoulivest，thateverysoundthatisspokenovertheroundworld，whichthououghtesttohear，willvibrateonthineear！Everyproverb，everybook，everybywordthatbelongstotheeforaidorcomfort，shallsurelycomehomethroughopenorwindingpassages。Everyfriendwhomnotthyfantasticwill，butthegreatandtenderheartintheecraveth，shalllocktheeinhisembrace。Andthis，becausetheheartintheeistheheartofall；notavalve，notawall，notanintersectionisthereanywhereinnature，butonebloodrollsuninterruptedlyanendlesscirculationthroughallmen，asthewateroftheglobeisallonesea，and，trulyseen，itstideisone。

Letman，then，learntherevelationofallnatureandallthoughttohisheart；this，namely；thattheHighestdwellswithhim；

thatthesourcesofnatureareinhisownmind，ifthesentimentofdutyisthere。ButifhewouldknowwhatthegreatGodspeaketh，hemust`gointohisclosetandshutthedoor，\'asJesussaid。Godwillnotmakehimselfmanifesttocowards。Hemustgreatlylistentohimself，withdrawinghimselffromalltheaccentsofothermen\'sdevotion。Eventheirprayersarehurtfultohim，untilhehavemadehisown。Ourreligionvulgarlystandsonnumbersofbelievers。

Whenevertheappealismade——nomatterhowindirectly——tonumbers，proclamationisthenandtheremade，thatreligionisnot。

HethatfindsGodasweet，envelopingthoughttohimnevercountshiscompany。WhenIsitinthatpresence，whoshalldaretocomein？

WhenIrestinperfecthumility，whenIburnwithpurelove，whatcanCalvinorSwedenborgsay？

Itmakesnodifferencewhethertheappealistonumbersortoone。Thefaiththatstandsonauthorityisnotfaith。Therelianceonauthoritymeasuresthedeclineofreligion，thewithdrawalofthesoul。ThepositionmenhavegiventoJesus，nowformanycenturiesofhistory，isapositionofauthority。Itcharacterizesthemselves。

Itcannotaltertheeternalfacts。Greatisthesoul，andplain。Itisnoflatterer，itisnofollower；itneverappealsfromitself。Itbelievesinitself。Beforetheimmensepossibilitiesofman，allmereexperience，allpastbiography，howeverspotlessandsainted，shrinksaway。Beforethatheavenwhichourpresentimentsforeshowus，wecannoteasilypraiseanyformoflifewehaveseenorreadof。

Wenotonlyaffirmthatwehavefewgreatmen，but，absolutelyspeaking，thatwehavenone；thatwehavenohistory，norecordofanycharacterormodeofliving，thatentirelycontentsus。Thesaintsanddemigodswhomhistoryworshipsweareconstrainedtoacceptwithagrainofallowance。Thoughinourlonelyhourswedrawanewstrengthoutoftheirmemory，yet，pressedonourattention，astheyarebythethoughtlessandcustomary，theyfatigueandinvade。

Thesoulgivesitself，alone，original，andpure，totheLonely，Original，andPure，who，onthatcondition，gladlyinhabits，leads，andspeaksthroughit。Thenisitglad，young，andnimble。Itisnotwise，butitseesthroughallthings。Itisnotcalledreligious，butitisinnocent。Itcallsthelightitsown，andfeelsthatthegrassgrowsandthestonefallsbyalawinferiorto，anddependenton，itsnature。Behold，itsaith，Iambornintothegreat，theuniversalmind。I，theimperfect，adoremyownPerfect。

Iamsomehowreceptiveofthegreatsoul，andtherebyIdooverlookthesunandthestars，andfeelthemtobethefairaccidentsandeffectswhichchangeandpass。Moreandmorethesurgesofeverlastingnatureenterintome，andIbecomepublicandhumaninmyregardsandactions。SocomeItoliveinthoughts，andactwithenergies，whichareimmortal。Thusreveringthesoul，andlearning，astheancientsaid，that“itsbeautyisimmense，“manwillcometoseethattheworldistheperennialmiraclewhichthesoulworketh，andbelessastonishedatparticularwonders；hewilllearnthatthereisnoprofanehistory；thatallhistoryissacred；thattheuniverseisrepresentedinanatom，inamomentoftime。Hewillweavenolongeraspottedlifeofshredsandpatches，buthewilllivewithadivineunity。Hewillceasefromwhatisbaseandfrivolousinhislife，andbecontentwithallplacesandwithanyservicehecanrender。HewillcalmlyfrontthemorrowinthenegligencyofthattrustwhichcarriesGodwithit，andsohathalreadythewholefutureinthebottomoftheheart。

CIRCLES

Naturecentresintoballs，Andherproudephemerals，Fasttosurfaceandoutside，Scantheprofileofthesphere；

Knewtheywhatthatsignified，Anewgenesiswerehere。

ESSAYX_Circles_

Theeyeisthefirstcircle；thehorizonwhichitformsisthesecond；andthroughoutnaturethisprimaryfigureisrepeatedwithoutend。Itisthehighestembleminthecipheroftheworld。St。

AugustinedescribedthenatureofGodasacirclewhosecentrewaseverywhere，anditscircumferencenowhere。Weareallourlifetimereadingthecopioussenseofthisfirstofforms。Onemoralwehavealreadydeduced，inconsideringthecircularorcompensatorycharacterofeveryhumanaction。Anotheranalogyweshallnowtrace；

thateveryactionadmitsofbeingoutdone。Ourlifeisanapprenticeshiptothetruth，thataroundeverycircleanothercanbedrawn；thatthereisnoendinnature，buteveryendisabeginning；

thatthereisalwaysanotherdawnrisenonmid-noon，andundereverydeepalowerdeepopens。

Thisfact，asfarasitsymbolizesthemoralfactoftheUnattainable，theflyingPerfect，aroundwhichthehandsofmancannevermeet，atoncetheinspirerandthecondemnerofeverysuccess，mayconvenientlyserveustoconnectmanyillustrationsofhumanpowerineverydepartment。

Therearenofixturesinnature。Theuniverseisfluidandvolatile。Permanenceisbutawordofdegrees。OurglobeseenbyGodisatransparentlaw，notamassoffacts。Thelawdissolvesthefactandholdsitfluid。Ourcultureisthepredominanceofanideawhichdrawsafteritthistrainofcitiesandinstitutions。Letusriseintoanotheridea：theywilldisappear。TheGreeksculptureisallmeltedaway，asifithadbeenstatuesofice；hereandthereasolitaryfigureorfragmentremaining，asweseeflecksandscrapsofsnowleftincolddellsandmountainclefts，inJuneandJuly。Forthegeniusthatcreateditcreatesnowsomewhatelse。TheGreekletterslastalittlelonger，butarealreadypassingunderthesamesentence，andtumblingintotheinevitablepitwhichthecreationofnewthoughtopensforallthatisold。Thenewcontinentsarebuiltoutoftheruinsofanoldplanet；thenewracesfedoutofthedecompositionoftheforegoing。Newartsdestroytheold。Seetheinvestmentofcapitalinaqueductsmadeuselessbyhydraulics；

fortifications，bygunpowder；roadsandcanals，byrailways；sails，bysteam；steambyelectricity。

Youadmirethistowerofgranite，weatheringthehurtsofsomanyages。Yetalittlewavinghandbuiltthishugewall，andthatwhichbuildsisbetterthanthatwhichisbuilt。Thehandthatbuiltcantoppleitdownmuchfaster。Betterthanthehand，andnimbler，wastheinvisiblethoughtwhichwroughtthroughit；andthusever，behindthecoarseeffect，isafinecause，which，beingnarrowlyseen，isitselftheeffectofafinercause。Everythinglookspermanentuntilitssecretisknown。Arichestateappearstowomenafirmandlastingfact；toamerchant，oneeasilycreatedoutofanymaterials，andeasilylost。Anorchard，goodtillage，goodgrounds，seemafixture，likeagoldmine，orariver，toacitizen；buttoalargefarmer，notmuchmorefixedthanthestateofthecrop。Naturelooksprovokinglystableandsecular，butithasacauselikealltherest；andwhenonceIcomprehendthat，willthesefieldsstretchsoimmovablywide，theseleaveshangsoindividuallyconsiderable？

Permanenceisawordofdegrees。Everythingismedial。Moonsarenomoreboundstospiritualpowerthanbat-balls。

Thekeytoeverymanishisthought。Sturdyanddefyingthoughhelook，hehasahelmwhichheobeys，whichistheideaafterwhichallhisfactsareclassified。Hecanonlybereformedbyshowinghimanewideawhichcommandshisown。Thelifeofmanisaself-evolvingcircle，which，fromaringimperceptiblysmall，rushesonallsidesoutwardstonewandlargercircles，andthatwithoutend。Theextenttowhichthisgenerationofcircles，wheelwithoutwheel，willgo，dependsontheforceortruthoftheindividualsoul。

Foritistheinerteffortofeachthought，havingformeditselfintoacircularwaveofcircumstance，——as，forinstance，anempire，rulesofanart，alocalusage，areligiousrite，——toheapitselfonthatridge，andtosolidifyandheminthelife。Butifthesoulisquickandstrong，itburstsoverthatboundaryonallsides，andexpandsanotherorbitonthegreatdeep，whichalsorunsupintoahighwave，withattemptagaintostopandtobind。Buttheheartrefusestobeimprisoned；initsfirstandnarrowestpulses，italreadytendsoutwardwithavastforce，andtoimmenseandinnumerableexpansions。

Everyultimatefactisonlythefirstofanewseries。Everygenerallawonlyaparticularfactofsomemoregenerallawpresentlytodiscloseitself。Thereisnooutside，noinclosingwall，nocircumferencetous。Themanfinisheshisstory，——howgood！howfinal！howitputsanewfaceonallthings！Hefillsthesky。Lo！

ontheothersiderisesalsoaman，anddrawsacirclearoundthecirclewehadjustpronouncedtheoutlineofthesphere。Thenalreadyisourfirstspeakernotman，butonlyafirstspeaker。Hisonlyredressisforthwithtodrawacircleoutsideofhisantagonist。

Andsomendobythemselves。Theresultofto-day，whichhauntsthemindandcannotbeescaped，willpresentlybeabridgedintoaword，andtheprinciplethatseemedtoexplainnaturewillitselfbeincludedasoneexampleofaboldergeneralization。Inthethoughtofto-morrowthereisapowertoupheaveallthycreed，allthecreeds，alltheliteratures，ofthenations，andmarshaltheetoaheavenwhichnoepicdreamhasyetdepicted。Everymanisnotsomuchaworkmanintheworld，asheisasuggestionofthatheshouldbe。Menwalkaspropheciesofthenextage。

Stepbystepwescalethismysteriousladder：thestepsareactions；thenewprospectispower。Everyseveralresultisthreatenedandjudgedbythatwhichfollows。Everyoneseemstobecontradictedbythenew；itisonlylimitedbythenew。Thenewstatementisalwayshatedbytheold，and，tothosedwellingintheold，comeslikeanabyssofskepticism。Buttheeyesoongetswontedtoit，fortheeyeanditareeffectsofonecause；thenitsinnocencyandbenefitappear，andpresently，allitsenergyspent，itpalesanddwindlesbeforetherevelationofthenewhour。

Fearnotthenewgeneralization。Doesthefactlookcrassandmaterial，threateningtodegradethytheoryofspirit？Resistitnot；itgoestorefineandraisethytheoryofmatterjustasmuch。

Therearenofixturestomen，ifweappealtoconsciousness。

Everymansupposeshimselfnottobefullyunderstood；andifthereisanytruthinhim，ifherestsatlastonthedivinesoul，Iseenothowitcanbeotherwise。Thelastchamber，thelastcloset，hemustfeel，wasneveropened；thereisalwaysaresiduumunknown，unanalyzable。Thatis，everymanbelievesthathehasagreaterpossibility。

Ourmoodsdonotbelieveineachother。To-dayIamfullofthoughts，andcanwritewhatIplease。IseenoreasonwhyIshouldnothavethesamethought，thesamepowerofexpression，to-morrow。

WhatIwrite，whilstIwriteit，seemsthemostnaturalthingintheworld；butyesterdayIsawadrearyvacuityinthisdirectioninwhichnowIseesomuch；andamonthhence，Idoubtnot，Ishallwonderwhohewasthatwrotesomanycontinuouspages。Alasforthisinfirmfaith，thiswillnotstrenuous，thisvastebbofavastflow！

IamGodinnature；Iamaweedbythewall。

Thecontinualefforttoraisehimselfabovehimself，toworkapitchabovehislastheight，betraysitselfinaman\'srelations。Wethirstforapprobation，yetcannotforgivetheapprover。Thesweetofnatureislove；yet，ifIhaveafriend，Iamtormentedbymyimperfections。Theloveofmeaccusestheotherparty。Ifhewerehighenoughtoslightme，thencouldIlovehim，andrisebymyaffectiontonewheights。Aman\'sgrowthisseeninthesuccessivechoirsofhisfriends。Foreveryfriendwhomhelosesfortruth，hegainsabetter。Ithought，asIwalkedinthewoodsandmusedonmyfriends，whyshouldIplaywiththemthisgameofidolatry？Iknowandseetoowell，whennotvoluntarilyblind，thespeedylimitsofpersonscalledhighandworthy。Rich，noble，andgreattheyarebytheliberalityofourspeech，buttruthissad。OblessedSpirit，whomIforsakeforthese，theyarenotthou！Everypersonalconsiderationthatweallowcostsusheavenlystate。Wesellthethronesofangelsforashortandturbulentpleasure。

Howoftenmustwelearnthislesson？Menceasetointerestuswhenwefindtheirlimitations。Theonlysinislimitation。Assoonasyouoncecomeupwithaman\'slimitations，itisalloverwithhim。Hashetalents？hasheenterprise？hasheknowledge？itbootsnot。Infinitelyalluringandattractivewashetoyouyesterday，agreathope，aseatoswimin；now，youhavefoundhisshores，founditapond，andyoucarenotifyouneverseeitagain。

Eachnewstepwetakeinthoughtreconcilestwentyseeminglydiscordantfacts，asexpressionsofonelaw。AristotleandPlatoarereckonedtherespectiveheadsoftwoschools。AwisemanwillseethatAristotlePlatonizes。Bygoingonestepfartherbackinthought，discordantopinionsarereconciled，bybeingseentobetwoextremesofoneprinciple，andwecannevergosofarbackastoprecludeastillhighervision。

BewarewhenthegreatGodletslooseathinkeronthisplanet。

Thenallthingsareatrisk。Itisaswhenaconflagrationhasbrokenoutinagreatcity，andnomanknowswhatissafe，orwhereitwillend。Thereisnotapieceofscience，butitsflankmaybeturnedto-morrow；thereisnotanyliteraryreputation，nottheso-calledeternalnamesoffame，thatmaynotberevisedandcondemned。Theveryhopesofman，thethoughtsofhisheart，thereligionofnations，themannersandmoralsofmankind，areallatthemercyofanewgeneralization。Generalizationisalwaysanewinfluxofthedivinityintothemind。Hencethethrillthatattendsit。

Valorconsistsinthepowerofself-recovery，sothatamancannothavehisflankturned，cannotbeout-generalled，butputhimwhereyouwill，hestands。Thiscanonlybebyhispreferringtruthtohispastapprehensionoftruth；andhisalertacceptanceofit，fromwhateverquarter；theintrepidconvictionthathislaws，hisrelationstosociety，hisChristianity，hisworld，mayatanytimebesupersededanddecease。

Therearedegreesinidealism。Welearnfirsttoplaywithitacademically，asthemagnetwasonceatoy。Thenweseeintheheydayofyouthandpoetrythatitmaybetrue，thatitistrueingleamsandfragments。Then，itscountenancewaxessternandgrand，andweseethatitmustbetrue。Itnowshowsitselfethicalandpractical。WelearnthatGodISthatheisinme；andthatallthingsareshadowsofhim。TheidealismofBerkeleyisonlyacrudestatementoftheidealismofJesus，andthatagainisacrudestatementofthefact，thatallnatureistherapideffluxofgoodnessexecutingandorganizingitself。Muchmoreobviouslyishistoryandthestateoftheworldatanyonetimedirectlydependentontheintellectualclassificationthenexistinginthemindsofmen。

Thethingswhicharedeartomenatthishouraresoonaccountoftheideaswhichhaveemergedontheirmentalhorizon，andwhichcausethepresentorderofthingsasatreebearsitsapples。Anewdegreeofculturewouldinstantlyrevolutionizetheentiresystemofhumanpursuits。

Conversationisagameofcircles。Inconversationwepluckupthe_termini_whichboundthecommonofsilenceoneveryside。ThepartiesarenottobejudgedbythespirittheypartakeandevenexpressunderthisPentecost。To-morrowtheywillhaverecededfromthishigh-watermark。To-morrowyoushallfindthemstoopingundertheoldpack-saddles。Yetletusenjoytheclovenflamewhilstitglowsonourwalls。Wheneachnewspeakerstrikesanewlight，emancipatesusfromtheoppressionofthelastspeaker，tooppressuswiththegreatnessandexclusivenessofhisownthought，thenyieldsustoanotherredeemer，weseemtorecoverourrights，tobecomemen。

O，whattruthsprofoundandexecutableonlyinagesandorbsaresupposedintheannouncementofeverytruth！Incommonhours，societysitscoldandstatuesque。Weallstandwaiting，empty，——

knowing，possibly，thatwecanbefull，surroundedbymightysymbolswhicharenotsymbolstous，butproseandtrivialtoys。Thencomeththegod，andconvertsthestatuesintofierymen，andbyaflashofhiseyeburnsuptheveilwhichshroudedallthings，andthemeaningoftheveryfurniture，ofcupandsaucer，ofchairandclockandtester，ismanifest。Thefactswhichloomedsolargeinthefogsofyesterday，——property，climate，breeding，personalbeauty，andthelike，havestrangelychangedtheirproportions。Allthatwereckonedsettledshakesandrattles；andliteratures，cities，climates，religions，leavetheirfoundations，anddancebeforeoureyes。Andyethereagainseetheswiftcircumspection！Goodasisdiscourse，silenceisbetter，andshamesit。Thelengthofthediscourseindicatesthedistanceofthoughtbetwixtthespeakerandthehearer。

Iftheywereataperfectunderstandinginanypart，nowordswouldbenecessarythereon。Ifatoneinallparts，nowordswouldbesuffered。

Literatureisapointoutsideofourhodiernalcircle，throughwhichanewonemaybedescribed。Theuseofliteratureistoaffordusaplatformwhencewemaycommandaviewofourpresentlife，apurchasebywhichwemaymoveit。Wefillourselveswithancientlearning，installourselvesthebestwecaninGreek，inPunic，inRomanhouses，onlythatwemaywiselierseeFrench，English，andAmericanhousesandmodesofliving。Inlikemanner，weseeliteraturebestfromthemidstofwildnature，orfromthedinofaffairs，orfromahighreligion。Thefieldcannotbewellseenfromwithinthefield。Theastronomermusthavehisdiameteroftheearth\'sorbitasabasetofindtheparallaxofanystar。

Thereforewevaluethepoet。Alltheargumentandallthewisdomisnotintheencyclopaedia，orthetreatiseonmetaphysics，ortheBodyofDivinity，butinthesonnetortheplay。InmydailyworkIinclinetorepeatmyoldsteps，anddonotbelieveinremedialforce，inthepowerofchangeandreform。ButsomePetrarchorAriosto，filledwiththenewwineofhisimagination，writesmeanodeorabriskromance，fullofdaringthoughtandaction。Hesmitesandarousesmewithhisshrilltones，breaksupmywholechainofhabits，andIopenmyeyeonmyownpossibilities。Heclapswingstothesidesofallthesolidoldlumberoftheworld，andIamcapableoncemoreofchoosingastraightpathintheoryandpractice。

Wehavethesameneedtocommandaviewofthereligionoftheworld。WecanneverseeChristianityfromthecatechism：——fromthepastures，fromaboatinthepond，fromamidstthesongsofwood-birds，wepossiblymay。Cleansedbytheelementallightandwind，steepedintheseaofbeautifulformswhichthefieldoffersus，wemaychancetocastarightglancebackuponbiography。

Christianityisrightlydeartothebestofmankind；yetwasthereneverayoungphilosopherwhosebreedinghadfallenintotheChristianchurch，bywhomthatbravetextofPaul\'swasnotspeciallyprized：——“ThenshallalsotheSonbesubjectuntoHimwhoputallthingsunderhim，thatGodmaybeallinall。“Lettheclaimsandvirtuesofpersonsbeneversogreatandwelcome，theinstinctofmanpresseseagerlyonwardtotheimpersonalandillimitable，andgladlyarmsitselfagainstthedogmatismofbigotswiththisgenerouswordoutofthebookitself。

Thenaturalworldmaybeconceivedofasasystemofconcentriccircles，andwenowandthendetectinnatureslightdislocations，whichapprizeusthatthissurfaceonwhichwenowstandisnotfixed，butsliding。Thesemanifoldtenaciousqualities，thischemistryandvegetation，thesemetalsandanimals，whichseemtostandtherefortheirownsake，aremeansandmethodsonly，——arewordsofGod，andasfugitiveasotherwords。Hasthenaturalistorchemistlearnedhiscraft，whohasexploredthegravityofatomsandtheelectiveaffinities，whohasnotyetdiscernedthedeeperlawwhereofthisisonlyapartialorapproximatestatement，namely，thatlikedrawstolike；andthatthegoodswhichbelongtoyougravitatetoyou，andneednotbepursuedwithpainsandcost？Yetisthatstatementapproximatealso，andnotfinal。Omnipresenceisahigherfact。Notthroughsubtle，subterraneanchannelsneedfriendandfactbedrawntotheircounterpart，but，rightlyconsidered，thesethingsproceedfromtheeternalgenerationofthesoul。Causeandeffectaretwosidesofonefact。

Thesamelawofeternalprocessionrangesallthatwecallthevirtues，andextinguisheseachinthelightofabetter。Thegreatmanwillnotbeprudentinthepopularsense；allhisprudencewillbesomuchdeductionfromhisgrandeur。Butitbehooveseachtosee，whenhesacrificesprudence，towhatgodhedevotesit；iftoeaseandpleasure，hehadbetterbeprudentstill；iftoagreattrust，hecanwellsparehismuleandpannierswhohasawingedchariotinstead。Geoffreydrawsonhisbootstogothroughthewoods，thathisfeetmaybesaferfromthebiteofsnakes；Aaronneverthinksofsuchaperil。Inmanyyearsneitherisharmedbysuchanaccident。

Yetitseemstome，that，witheveryprecautionyoutakeagainstsuchanevil，youputyourselfintothepoweroftheevil。Isupposethatthehighestprudenceisthelowestprudence。Isthistoosuddenarushingfromthecentretothevergeofourorbit？Thinkhowmanytimesweshallfallbackintopitifulcalculationsbeforewetakeupourrestinthegreatsentiment，ormakethevergeofto-daythenewcentre。Besides，yourbravestsentimentisfamiliartothehumblestmen。Thepoorandthelowhavetheirwayofexpressingthelastfactsofphilosophyaswellasyou。“Blessedbenothing，“and“theworsethingsare，thebettertheyare，“areproverbswhichexpressthetranscendentalismofcommonlife。

Oneman\'sjusticeisanother\'sinjustice；oneman\'sbeauty，another\'sugliness；oneman\'swisdom，another\'sfolly；asonebeholdsthesameobjectsfromahigherpoint。Onemanthinksjusticeconsistsinpayingdebts，andhasnomeasureinhisabhorrenceofanotherwhoisveryremissinthisduty，andmakesthecreditorwaittediously。Butthatsecondmanhashisownwayoflookingatthings；

askshimselfwhichdebtmustIpayfirst，thedebttotherich，orthedebttothepoor？thedebtofmoney，orthedebtofthoughttomankind，ofgeniustonature？Foryou，Obroker！thereisnootherprinciplebutarithmetic。Forme，commerceisoftrivialimport；

love，faith，truthofcharacter，theaspirationofman，thesearesacred；norcanIdetachoneduty，likeyou，fromallotherduties，andconcentratemyforcesmechanicallyonthepaymentofmoneys。Letmeliveonward；youshallfindthat，thoughslower，theprogressofmycharacterwillliquidateallthesedebtswithoutinjusticetohigherclaims。Ifamanshoulddedicatehimselftothepaymentofnotes，wouldnotthisbeinjustice？Doesheowenodebtbutmoney？

Andareallclaimsonhimtobepostponedtoalandlord\'sorabanker\'s？

Thereisnovirtuewhichisfinal；allareinitial。Thevirtuesofsocietyarevicesofthesaint。Theterrorofreformisthediscoverythatwemustcastawayourvirtues，orwhatwehavealwaysesteemedsuch，intothesamepitthathasconsumedourgrosservices。

“Forgivehiscrimes，forgivehisvirtuestoo，Thosesmallerfaults，halfconvertstotheright。“

Itisthehighestpowerofdivinemomentsthattheyabolishourcontritionsalso。Iaccusemyselfofslothandunprofitablenessdaybyday；butwhenthesewavesofGodflowintome，Inolongerreckonlosttime。Inolongerpoorlycomputemypossibleachievementbywhatremainstomeofthemonthortheyear；forthesemomentsconferasortofomnipresenceandomnipotencewhichasksnothingofduration，butseesthattheenergyofthemindiscommensuratewiththeworktobedone，withouttime。

Andthus，Ocircularphilosopher，Ihearsomereaderexclaim，youhavearrivedatafinePyrrhonism，atanequivalenceandindifferencyofallactions，andwouldfainteachusthat，_ifwearetrue_，forsooth，ourcrimesmaybelivelystonesoutofwhichweshallconstructthetempleofthetrueGod！

Iamnotcarefultojustifymyself。IownIamgladdenedbyseeingthepredominanceofthesaccharineprinciplethroughoutvegetablenature，andnotlessbybeholdinginmoralsthatunrestrainedinundationoftheprincipleofgoodintoeverychinkandholethatselfishnesshasleftopen，yea，intoselfishnessandsinitself；sothatnoevilispure，norhellitselfwithoutitsextremesatisfactions。ButlestIshouldmisleadanywhenIhavemyownheadandobeymywhims，letmeremindthereaderthatIamonlyanexperimenter。DonotsettheleastvalueonwhatIdo，ortheleastdiscreditonwhatIdonot，asifIpretendedtosettleanythingastrueorfalse。Iunsettleallthings。Nofactsaretomesacred；

noneareprofane；Isimplyexperiment，anendlessseeker，withnoPastatmyback。