第10章

Ifitbenoteasytosettletheequityofthisquestion，theperilislesswhenwetakenoteofournaturaldefences。Wearekeptbybetterguardsthanthevigilanceofsuchmagistratesaswecommonlyelect。Societyalwaysconsists，ingreatestpart，ofyoungandfoolishpersons。Theold，whohaveseenthroughthehypocrisyofcourtsandstatesmen，die，andleavenowisdomtotheirsons。Theybelievetheirownnewspaper，astheirfathersdidattheirage。Withsuchanignorantanddeceivablemajority，Stateswouldsoonruntoruin，butthattherearelimitations，beyondwhichthefollyandambitionofgovernorscannotgo。Thingshavetheirlaws，aswellasmen；andthingsrefusetobetrifledwith。Propertywillbeprotected。Cornwillnotgrow，unlessitisplantedandmanured；butthefarmerwillnotplantorhoeit，unlessthechancesareahundredtoone，thathewillcutandharvestit。Underanyforms，personsandpropertymustandwillhavetheirjustsway。Theyexerttheirpower，assteadilyasmatteritsattraction。Coverupapoundofearthneversocunningly，divideandsubdivideit；meltittoliquid，convertittogas；itwillalwaysweighapound：itwillalwaysattractandresistothermatter，bythefullvirtueofonepoundweight；——andtheattributesofaperson，hiswitandhismoralenergy，willexercise，underanylaworextinguishingtyranny，theirproperforce，——ifnotovertly，thencovertly；ifnotforthelaw，thenagainstit；withright，orbymight。

Theboundariesofpersonalinfluenceitisimpossibletofix，aspersonsareorgansofmoralorsupernaturalforce。Underthedominionofanidea，whichpossessesthemindsofmultitudes，ascivilfreedom，orthereligioussentiment，thepowersofpersonsarenolongersubjectsofcalculation。Anationofmenunanimouslybentonfreedom，orconquest，caneasilyconfoundthearithmeticofstatists，andachieveextravagantactions，outofallproportiontotheirmeans；as，theGreeks，theSaracens，theSwiss，theAmericans，andtheFrenchhavedone。

Inlikemanner，toeveryparticleofpropertybelongsitsownattraction。Acentistherepresentativeofacertainquantityofcornorothercommodity。Itsvalueisinthenecessitiesoftheanimalman。Itissomuchwarmth，somuchbread，somuchwater，somuchland。Thelawmaydowhatitwillwiththeownerofproperty，itsjustpowerwillstillattachtothecent。Thelawmayinamadfreaksay，thatallshallhavepowerexcepttheownersofproperty：

theyshallhavenovote。Nevertheless，byahigherlaw，thepropertywill，yearafteryear，writeeverystatutethatrespectsproperty。

Thenon-proprietorwillbethescribeoftheproprietor。Whattheownerswishtodo，thewholepowerofpropertywilldo，eitherthroughthelaw，orelseindefianceofit。Ofcourse，Ispeakofalltheproperty，notmerelyofthegreatestates。Whentherichareoutvoted，asfrequentlyhappens，itisthejointtreasuryofthepoorwhichexceedstheiraccumulations。Everymanownssomething，ifitisonlyacow，orawheelbarrow，orhisarms，andsohasthatpropertytodisposeof。

Thesamenecessitywhichsecurestherightsofpersonandpropertyagainstthemalignityorfollyofthemagistrate，determinestheformandmethodsofgoverning，whicharepropertoeachnation，andtoitshabitofthought，andnowisetransferabletootherstatesofsociety。Inthiscountry，weareveryvainofourpoliticalinstitutions，whicharesingularinthis，thattheysprung，withinthememoryoflivingmen，fromthecharacterandconditionofthepeople，whichtheystillexpresswithsufficientfidelity，——andweostentatiouslypreferthemtoanyotherinhistory。Theyarenotbetter，butonlyfitterforus。Wemaybewiseinassertingtheadvantageinmoderntimesofthedemocraticform，buttootherstatesofsociety，inwhichreligionconsecratedthemonarchical，thatandnotthiswasexpedient。Democracyisbetterforus，becausethereligioussentimentofthepresenttimeaccordsbetterwithit。Borndemocrats，wearenowisequalifiedtojudgeofmonarchy，which，toourfatherslivinginthemonarchicalidea，wasalsorelativelyright。Butourinstitutions，thoughincoincidencewiththespiritoftheage，havenotanyexemptionfromthepracticaldefectswhichhavediscreditedotherforms。EveryactualStateiscorrupt。Goodmenmustnotobeythelawstoowell。Whatsatireongovernmentcanequaltheseverityofcensureconveyedintheword_politic_，whichnowforageshassignified_cunning_，intimatingthattheStateisatrick？

ThesamebenignnecessityandthesamepracticalabuseappearinthepartiesintowhicheachStatedividesitself，ofopponentsanddefendersoftheadministrationofthegovernment。Partiesarealsofoundedoninstincts，andhavebetterguidestotheirownhumbleaimsthanthesagacityoftheirleaders。Theyhavenothingperverseintheirorigin，butrudelymarksomerealandlastingrelation。Wemightaswiselyreprovetheeastwind，orthefrost，asapoliticalparty，whosemembers，forthemostpart，couldgivenoaccountoftheirposition，butstandforthedefenceofthoseinterestsinwhichtheyfindthemselves。Ourquarrelwiththembegins，whentheyquitthisdeepnaturalgroundatthebiddingofsomeleader，and，obeyingpersonalconsiderations，throwthemselvesintothemaintenanceanddefenceofpoints，nowisebelongingtotheirsystem。Apartyisperpetuallycorruptedbypersonality。Whilstweabsolvetheassociationfromdishonesty，wecannotextendthesamecharitytotheirleaders。Theyreaptherewardsofthedocilityandzealofthemasseswhichtheydirect。Ordinarily，ourpartiesarepartiesofcircumstance，andnotofprinciple；as，theplantinginterestinconflictwiththecommercial；thepartyofcapitalists，andthatofoperatives；partieswhichareidenticalintheirmoralcharacter，andwhichcaneasilychangegroundwitheachother，inthesupportofmanyoftheirmeasures。Partiesofprinciple，as，religioussects，orthepartyoffree-trade，ofuniversalsuffrage，ofabolitionofslavery，ofabolitionofcapitalpunishment，degenerateintopersonalities，orwouldinspireenthusiasm。Theviceofourleadingpartiesinthiscountry(whichmaybecitedasafairspecimenofthesesocietiesofopinion)is，thattheydonotplantthemselvesonthedeepandnecessarygroundstowhichtheyarerespectivelyentitled，butlashthemselvestofuryinthecarryingofsomelocalandmomentarymeasure，nowiseusefultothecommonwealth。Ofthetwogreatparties，which，atthishour，almostsharethenationbetweenthem，Ishouldsay，that，onehasthebestcause，andtheothercontainsthebestmen。Thephilosopher，thepoet，orthereligiousman，will，ofcourse，wishtocasthisvotewiththedemocrat，forfree-trade，forwidesuffrage，fortheabolitionoflegalcrueltiesinthepenalcode，andforfacilitatingineverymannertheaccessoftheyoungandthepoortothesourcesofwealthandpower。Buthecanrarelyacceptthepersonswhomtheso-calledpopularpartyproposetohimasrepresentativesoftheseliberalities。Theyhavenotathearttheendswhichgivetothenameofdemocracywhathopeandvirtueareinit。ThespiritofourAmericanradicalismisdestructiveandaimless：itisnotloving；ithasnoulterioranddivineends；butisdestructiveonlyoutofhatredandselfishness。

Ontheotherside，theconservativeparty，composedofthemostmoderate，able，andcultivatedpartofthepopulation，istimid，andmerelydefensiveofproperty。Itvindicatesnoright，itaspirestonorealgood，itbrandsnocrime，itproposesnogenerouspolicy，itdoesnotbuild，norwrite，norcherishthearts，norfosterreligion，norestablishschools，norencouragescience，noremancipatetheslave，norbefriendthepoor，ortheIndian，ortheimmigrant。Fromneitherparty，wheninpower，hastheworldanybenefittoexpectinscience，art，orhumanity，atallcommensuratewiththeresourcesofthenation。

Idonotforthesedefectsdespairofourrepublic。Wearenotatthemercyofanywavesofchance。Inthestrifeofferociousparties，humannaturealwaysfindsitselfcherished，asthechildrenoftheconvictsatBotanyBayarefoundtohaveashealthyamoralsentimentasotherchildren。Citizensoffeudalstatesarealarmedatourdemocraticinstitutionslapsingintoanarchy；andtheolderandmorecautiousamongourselvesarelearningfromEuropeanstolookwithsometerroratourturbulentfreedom。ItissaidthatinourlicenseofconstruingtheConstitution，andinthedespotismofpublicopinion，wehavenoanchor；andoneforeignobserverthinkshehasfoundthesafeguardinthesanctityofMarriageamongus；andanotherthinkshehasfounditinourCalvinism。FisherAmesexpressedthepopularsecuritymorewisely，whenhecomparedamonarchyandarepublic，saying，“thatamonarchyisamerchantman，whichsailswell，butwillsometimesstrikeonarock，andgotothebottom；whilstarepublicisaraft，whichwouldneversink，butthenyourfeetarealwaysinwater。“Noformscanhaveanydangerousimportance，whilstwearebefriendedbythelawsofthings。Itmakesnodifferencehowmanytonsweightofatmospherepressesonourheads，solongasthesamepressureresistsitwithinthelungs。

Augmentthemassathousandfold，itcannotbegintocrushus，aslongasreactionisequaltoaction。Thefactoftwopoles，oftwoforces，centripetalandcentrifugal，isuniversal，andeachforcebyitsownactivitydevelopstheother。Wildlibertydevelopsironconscience。Wantofliberty，bystrengtheninglawanddecorum，stupefiesconscience。`Lynch-law\'prevailsonlywherethereisgreaterhardihoodandself-subsistencyintheleaders。Amobcannotbeapermanency：everybody\'sinterestrequiresthatitshouldnotexist，andonlyjusticesatisfiesall。

Wemusttrustinfinitelytothebeneficentnecessitywhichshinesthroughalllaws。Humannatureexpressesitselfinthemascharacteristicallyasinstatues，orsongs，orrailroads，andanabstractofthecodesofnationswouldbeatranscriptofthecommonconscience。Governmentshavetheirorigininthemoralidentityofmen。Reasonforoneisseentobereasonforanother，andforeveryother。Thereisamiddlemeasurewhichsatisfiesallparties，betheyneversomany，orsoresolutefortheirown。Everymanfindsasanctionforhissimplestclaimsanddeedsindecisionsofhisownmind，whichhecallsTruthandHoliness。Inthesedecisionsallthecitizensfindaperfectagreement，andonlyinthese；notinwhatisgoodtoeat，goodtowear，gooduseoftime，orwhatamountofland，orofpublicaid，eachisentitledtoclaim。Thistruthandjusticemenpresentlyendeavortomakeapplicationof，tothemeasuringofland，theapportionmentofservice，theprotectionoflifeandproperty。Theirfirstendeavors，nodoubt，areveryawkward。Yetabsoluterightisthefirstgovernor；or，everygovernmentisanimpuretheocracy。Theidea，afterwhicheachcommunityisaimingtomakeandmenditslaw，is，thewillofthewiseman。Thewiseman，itcannotfindinnature，anditmakesawkwardbutearnesteffortstosecurehisgovernmentbycontrivance；as，bycausingtheentirepeopletogivetheirvoicesoneverymeasure；or，byadoublechoicetogettherepresentationofthewhole；or，byaselectionofthebestcitizens；or，tosecuretheadvantagesofefficiencyandinternalpeace，byconfidingthegovernmenttoone，whomayhimselfselecthisagents。Allformsofgovernmentsymbolizeanimmortalgovernment，commontoalldynastiesandindependentofnumbers，perfectwheretwomenexist，perfectwherethereisonlyoneman。

Everyman\'snatureisasufficientadvertisementtohimofthecharacterofhisfellows。Myrightandmywrong，istheirrightandtheirwrong。WhilstIdowhatisfitforme，andabstainfromwhatisunfit，myneighborandIshalloftenagreeinourmeans，andworktogetherforatimetooneend。ButwheneverIfindmydominionovermyselfnotsufficientforme，andundertakethedirectionofhimalso，Ioverstepthetruth，andcomeintofalserelationstohim。I

mayhavesomuchmoreskillorstrengththanhe，thathecannotexpressadequatelyhissenseofwrong，butitisalie，andhurtslikealiebothhimandme。Loveandnaturecannotmaintaintheassumption：itmustbeexecutedbyapracticallie，namely，byforce。

Thisundertakingforanother，istheblunderwhichstandsincolossaluglinessinthegovernmentsoftheworld。Itisthesamethinginnumbers，asinapair，onlynotquitesointelligible。Icanseewellenoughagreatdifferencebetweenmysettingmyselfdowntoaself-control，andmygoingtomakesomebodyelseactaftermyviews：

butwhenaquarterofthehumanraceassumetotellmewhatImustdo，Imaybetoomuchdisturbedbythecircumstancestoseesoclearlytheabsurdityoftheircommand。Therefore，allpublicendslookvagueandquixoticbesideprivateones。For，anylawsbutthosewhichmenmakeforthemselves，arelaughable。IfIputmyselfintheplaceofmychild，andwestandinonethought，andseethatthingsarethusorthus，thatperceptionislawforhimandme。Weareboththere，bothact。Butif，withoutcarryinghimintothethought，I

lookoverintohisplot，and，guessinghowitiswithhim，ordainthisorthat，hewillneverobeyme。Thisisthehistoryofgovernments，——onemandoessomethingwhichistobindanother。A

manwhocannotbeacquaintedwithme，taxesme；lookingfromafaratme，ordainsthatapartofmylaborshallgotothisorthatwhimsicalend，notasI，butashehappenstofancy。Beholdtheconsequence。Ofalldebts，menareleastwillingtopaythetaxes。

Whatasatireisthisongovernment！Everywheretheythinktheygettheirmoney\'sworth，exceptforthese。

Hence，thelessgovernmentwehave，thebetter，——thefewerlaws，andthelessconfidedpower。TheantidotetothisabuseofformalGovernment，is，theinfluenceofprivatecharacter，thegrowthoftheIndividual；theappearanceoftheprincipaltosupersedetheproxy；theappearanceofthewiseman，ofwhomtheexistinggovernment，is，itmustbeowned，butashabbyimitation。Thatwhichallthingstendtoeduce，whichfreedom，cultivation，intercourse，revolutions，gotoformanddeliver，ischaracter；thatistheendofnature，toreachuntothiscoronationofherking。Toeducatethewiseman，theStateexists；andwiththeappearanceofthewiseman，theStateexpires。TheappearanceofcharactermakestheStateunnecessary。ThewisemanistheState。Heneedsnoarmy，fort，ornavy，——helovesmentoowell；nobribe，orfeast，orpalace，todrawfriendstohim；novantageground，nofavorablecircumstance。

Heneedsnolibrary，forhehasnotdonethinking；nochurch，forheisaprophet；nostatutebook，forhehasthelawgiver；nomoney，forheisvalue；noroad，forheisathomewhereheis；noexperience，forthelifeofthecreatorshootsthroughhim，andlooksfromhiseyes。Hehasnopersonalfriends，forhewhohasthespelltodrawtheprayerandpietyofallmenuntohim，needsnothusbandandeducateafew，tosharewithhimaselectandpoeticlife。Hisrelationtomenisangelic；hismemoryismyrrhtothem；hispresence，frankincenseandflowers。

Wethinkourcivilizationnearitsmeridian，butweareyetonlyatthecock-crowingandthemorningstar。Inourbarbaroussocietytheinfluenceofcharacterisinitsinfancy。Asapoliticalpower，astherightfullordwhoistotumbleallrulersfromtheirchairs，itspresenceishardlyyetsuspected。MalthusandRicardoquiteomitit；theAnnualRegisterissilent；intheConversations\'

Lexicon，itisnotsetdown；thePresident\'sMessage，theQueen\'sSpeech，havenotmentionedit；andyetitisnevernothing。Everythoughtwhichgeniusandpietythrowintotheworld，alterstheworld。Thegladiatorsinthelistsofpowerfeel，throughalltheirfrocksofforceandsimulation，thepresenceofworth。Ithinktheverystrifeoftradeandambitionareconfessionofthisdivinity；

andsuccessesinthosefieldsarethepooramends，thefig-leafwithwhichtheshamedsoulattemptstohideitsnakedness。Ifindthelikeunwillinghomageinallquarters。Itisbecauseweknowhowmuchisduefromus，thatweareimpatienttoshowsomepettytalentasasubstituteforworth。Wearehauntedbyaconscienceofthisrighttograndeurofcharacter，andarefalsetoit。Buteachofushassometalent，candosomewhatuseful，orgraceful，orformidable，oramusing，orlucrative。Thatwedo，asanapologytoothersandtoourselves，fornotreachingthemarkofagoodandequallife。Butitdoesnotsatisfy_us_，whilstwethrustitonthenoticeofourcompanions。Itmaythrowdustintheireyes，butdoesnotsmoothourownbrow，orgiveusthetranquillityofthestrongwhenwewalkabroad。Wedopenanceaswego。Ourtalentisasortofexpiation，andweareconstrainedtoreflectonoursplendidmoment，withacertainhumiliation，assomewhattoofine，andnotasoneactofmanyacts，afairexpressionofourpermanentenergy。Mostpersonsofabilitymeetinsocietywithakindoftacitappeal。Eachseemstosay，`Iamnotallhere。\'Senatorsandpresidentshaveclimbedsohighwithpainenough，notbecausetheythinktheplacespeciallyagreeable，butasanapologyforrealworth，andtovindicatetheirmanhoodinoureyes。Thisconspicuouschairistheircompensationtothemselvesforbeingofapoor，cold，hardnature。Theymustdowhattheycan。Likeoneclassofforestanimals，theyhavenothingbutaprehensiletail：climbtheymust，orcrawl。Ifamanfoundhimselfsorich-naturedthathecouldenterintostrictrelationswiththebestpersons，andmakelifeserenearoundhimbythedignityandsweetnessofhisbehavior，couldheaffordtocircumventthefavorofthecaucusandthepress，andcovetrelationssohollowandpompous，asthoseofapolitician？Surelynobodywouldbeacharlatan，whocouldaffordtobesincere。

Thetendenciesofthetimesfavortheideaofself-government，andleavetheindividual，forallcode，totherewardsandpenaltiesofhisownconstitution，whichworkwithmoreenergythanwebelieve，whilstwedependonartificialrestraints。Themovementinthisdirectionhasbeenverymarkedinmodernhistory。Muchhasbeenblindanddiscreditable，butthenatureoftherevolutionisnotaffectedbythevicesoftherevolters；forthisisapurelymoralforce。Itwasneveradoptedbyanypartyinhistory，neithercanbe。

Itseparatestheindividualfromallparty，anduniteshim，atthesametime，totherace。Itpromisesarecognitionofhigherrightsthanthoseofpersonalfreedom，orthesecurityofproperty。Amanhasarighttobeemployed，tobetrusted，tobeloved，toberevered。Thepoweroflove，asthebasisofaState，hasneverbeentried。Wemustnotimaginethatallthingsarelapsingintoconfusion，ifeverytenderprotestantbenotcompelledtobearhispartincertainsocialconventions：nordoubtthatroadscanbebuilt，letterscarried，andthefruitoflaborsecured，whenthegovernmentofforceisatanend。Areourmethodsnowsoexcellentthatallcompetitionishopeless？Couldnotanationoffriendsevendevisebetterways？Ontheotherhand，letnotthemostconservativeandtimidfearanythingfromaprematuresurrenderofthebayonet，andthesystemofforce。For，accordingtotheorderofnature，whichisquitesuperiortoourwill，itstandsthus；therewillalwaysbeagovernmentofforce，wheremenareselfish；andwhentheyarepureenoughtoabjurethecodeofforce，theywillbewiseenoughtoseehowthesepublicendsofthepost-office，ofthehighway，ofcommerce，andtheexchangeofproperty，ofmuseumsandlibraries，ofinstitutionsofartandscience，canbeanswered。

Weliveinaverylowstateoftheworld，andpayunwillingtributetogovernmentsfoundedonforce。Thereisnot，amongthemostreligiousandinstructedmenofthemostreligiousandcivilnations，arelianceonthemoralsentiment，andasufficientbeliefintheunityofthingstopersuadethemthatsocietycanbemaintainedwithoutartificialrestraints，aswellasthesolarsystem；orthattheprivatecitizenmightbereasonable，andagoodneighbor，withoutthehintofajailoraconfiscation。Whatisstrangetoo，thereneverwasinanymansufficientfaithinthepowerofrectitude，toinspirehimwiththebroaddesignofrenovatingtheStateontheprincipleofrightandlove。Allthosewhohavepretendedthisdesign，havebeenpartialreformers，andhaveadmittedinsomemannerthesupremacyofthebadState。Idonotcalltomindasinglehumanbeingwhohassteadilydeniedtheauthorityofthelaws，onthesimplegroundofhisownmoralnature。Suchdesigns，fullofgeniusandfulloffateastheyare，arenotentertainedexceptavowedlyasair-pictures。Iftheindividualwhoexhibitsthem，daretothinkthempracticable，hedisgustsscholarsandchurchmen；andmenoftalent，andwomenofsuperiorsentiments，cannothidetheircontempt。Notthelessdoesnaturecontinuetofilltheheartofyouthwithsuggestionsofthisenthusiasm，andtherearenowmen，——ifindeedIcanspeakinthepluralnumber，——

moreexactly，Iwillsay，Ihavejustbeenconversingwithoneman，towhomnoweightofadverseexperiencewillmakeitforamomentappearimpossible，impossible，thatthousandsofhumanbeingsmightexercisetowardseachotherthegrandestandsimplestsentiments，aswellasaknotoffriends，orapairoflovers。

NOMINALISTANDREALIST

Incountlessupward-strivingwavesThemoon-drawntide-wavestrives；

Inthousandfar-transplantedgraftsTheparentfruitsurvives；

So，inthenew-bornmillions，TheperfectAdamlives。

Notlessaresummer-morningsdearToeverychildtheywake，AndeachwithnovellifehissphereFillsforhispropersake。

ESSAYVIII_NominalistandRealist_

Icannotoftenenoughsay，thatamanisonlyarelativeandrepresentativenature。Eachisahintofthetruth，butfarenoughfrombeingthattruth，whichyethequitenewlyandinevitablysuggeststous。IfIseekitinhim，Ishallnotfindit。Couldanymanconductintomethepurestreamofthatwhichhepretendstobe！

Longafterwards，Ifindthatqualityelsewherewhichhepromisedme。

ThegeniusofthePlatonists，isintoxicatingtothestudent，yethowfewparticularsofitcanIdetachfromalltheirbooks。Themanmomentarilystandsforthethought，butwillnotbearexamination；

andasocietyofmenwillcursorilyrepresentwellenoughacertainqualityandculture，forexample，chivalryorbeautyofmanners，butseparatethem，andthereisnogentlemanandnoladyinthegroup。

Theleasthintsetsusonthepursuitofacharacter，whichnomanrealizes。Wehavesuchexorbitanteyes，thatonseeingthesmallestarc，wecompletethecurve，andwhenthecurtainisliftedfromthediagramwhichitseemedtoveil，wearevexedtofindthatnomorewasdrawn，thanjustthatfragmentofanarcwhichwefirstbeheld。

Wearegreatlytooliberalinourconstructionofeachother\'sfacultyandpromise。Exactlywhatthepartieshavealreadydone，theyshalldoagain；butthatwhichweinferredfromtheirnatureandinception，theywillnotdo。Thatisinnature，butnotinthem。

Thathappensintheworld，whichweoftenwitnessinapublicdebate。

Eachofthespeakerseonsmustfurnishxpresseshimselfimperfectly：nooneofthemhearsmuchthatanothersays，suchisthepreoccupationofmindofeach；andtheaudience，whohaveonlytohearandnottospeak，judgeverywiselyandsuperiorlyhowwrongheadedandunskilfuliseachofthedebaterstohisownaffair。Greatmenormenofgreatgiftsyoushalleasilyfind，butsymmetricalmennever。WhenImeetapureintellectualforce，oragenerosityofaffection，Ibelieve，herethenisman；andampresentlymortifiedbythediscovery，thatthisindividualisnomoreavailabletohisownortothegeneralends，thanhiscompanions；becausethepowerwhichdrewmyrespect，isnotsupportedbythetotalsymphonyofhistalents。Allpersonsexisttosocietybysomeshiningtraitofbeautyorutility，whichtheyhave。Weborrowtheproportionsofthemanfromthatonefinefeature，andfinishtheportraitsymmetrically；whichisfalse；fortherestofhisbodyissmallordeformed。Iobserveapersonwhomakesagoodpublicappearance，andconcludethencetheperfectionofhisprivatecharacter，onwhichthisisbased；buthehasnoprivatecharacter。Heisagracefulcloakorlay-figureforholidays。Allourpoets，heroes，andsaints，failutterlyinsomeoneorinmanypartstosatisfyouridea，failtodrawourspontaneousinterest，andsoleaveuswithoutanyhopeofrealizationbutinourownfuture。

Ourexaggerationofallfinecharactersarisesfromthefact，thatweidentifyeachinturnwiththesoul。Buttherearenosuchmenaswefable；noJesus，norPericles，norCaesar，norAngelo，norWashington，suchaswehavemade。Weconsecrateagreatdealofnonsense，becauseitwasallowedbygreatmen。Thereisnonewithouthisfoible。Iverilybelieveifanangelshouldcometochauntthechorusofthemorallaw，hewouldeattoomuchgingerbread，ortakelibertieswithprivateletters，ordosomepreciousatrocity。Itisbadenough，thatourgeniusescannotdoanythingusefulonsmustfurnish，butitisworsethatnomanisfitforsociety，whohasfinetraits。Heisadmiredatadistance，buthecannotcomenearwithoutappearingacripple。Themenoffinepartsprotectthemselvesbysolitude，orbycourtesy，orbysatire，orbyanacidworldlymanner，eachconcealing，ashebestcan，hisincapacityforusefulassociation，buttheywanteitherloveorself-reliance。

Ournativeloveofrealityjoinswiththisexperiencetoteachusalittlereserve，andtodissuadeatoosuddensurrendertothebrilliantqualitiesofpersons。Youngpeopleadmiretalentsorparticularexcellences；aswegrowolder，wevaluetotalpowersandeffects，as，theimpression，thequality，thespiritofmenandthings。Thegeniusisall。Theman，——itishissystem：wedonottryasolitarywordoract，buthishabit。Theactswhichyoupraise，Ipraisenot，sincetheyaredeparturesfromhisfaith，andaremerecompliances。Themagnetismwhicharrangestribesandracesinonepolarity，isalonetoberespected；themenaresteel-filings。

Yetweunjustlyselectaparticle，andsay，`Osteel-filingnumberone！whatheart-drawingsIfeeltothee！whatprodigiousvirtuesaretheseofthine！howconstitutionaltothee，andincommunicable。\'

Whilstwespeak，theloadstoneiswithdrawn；downfallsourfilinginaheapwiththerest，andwecontinueourmummerytothewretchedshaving。Letusgoforuniversals；forthemagnetism，notfortheneedles。Humanlifeanditspersonsarepoorempiricalpretensions。

Apersonalinfluenceisan_ignisfatuus_。Iftheysay，itisgreat，itisgreat；iftheysay，itissmall，itissmall；youseeit，andyouseeitnot，byturns；itborrowsallitssizefromthemomentaryestimationofthespeakers：theWill-of-the-wispvanishes，ifyougotoonear，vanishesifyougotoofar，andonlyblazesatoneangle。

WhocantellifWashingtonbeagreatman，orno？WhocantellifFranklinbe？Yes，oranybutthetwelve，orsix，orthonsmustfurnishreegreatgodsoffame？Andthey，too，loomandfadebeforetheeternal。

Weareamphibiouscreatures，weaponedfortwoelements，havingtwosetsoffaculties，theparticularandthecatholic。Weadjustourinstrumentforgeneralobservation，andsweeptheheavensaseasilyaswepickoutasinglefigureintheterrestriallandscape。

Wearepracticallyskilfulindetectingelements，forwhichwehavenoplaceinourtheory，andnoname。Thusweareverysensibleofanatmosphericinfluenceinmenandinbodiesofmen，notaccountedforinanarithmeticaladditionofalltheirmeasurableproperties。

Thereisageniusofanation，whichisnottobefoundinthenumericalcitizens，butwhichcharacterizesthesociety。England，strong，punctual，practical，well-spokenEngland，Ishouldnotfind，ifIshouldgototheislandtoseekit。Intheparliament，intheplayhouse，atdinner-tables，Imightseeagreatnumberofrich，ignorant，book-read，conventional，proudmen，——manyoldwomen，——

andnotanywheretheEnglishmanwhomadethegoodspeeches，combinedtheaccurateengines，anddidtheboldandnervousdeeds。ItisevenworseinAmerica，where，fromtheintellectualquicknessoftherace，thegeniusofthecountryismoresplendidinitspromise，andmoreslightinitsperformance。WebstercannotdotheworkofWebster。

WeconceivedistinctlyenoughtheFrench，theSpanish，theGermangenius，anditisnotthelessreal，thatperhapsweshouldnotmeetineitherofthosenations，asingleindividualwhocorrespondedwiththetype。Weinferthespiritofthenationingreatmeasurefromthelanguage，whichisasortofmonument，towhicheachforcibleindividualinacourseofmanyhundredyearshascontributedastone。

And，universally，agoodexampleofthissocialforce，istheveracityoflanguage，whichcannotbedebauched。Inanycontroversyconcerningmorals，anappealmaybemadewithsafetytothesentiments，whichthelanguageofthonsmustfurnishepeopleexpresses。

Proverbs，words，andgrammarinflectionsconveythepublicsensewithmorepurityandprecision，thanthewisestindividual。

InthefamousdisputewiththeNominalists，theRealistshadagooddealofreason。Generalideasareessences。Theyareourgods：

theyroundandennoblethemostpartialandsordidwayofliving。

Ourproclivitytodetailscannotquitedegradeourlife，anddivestitofpoetry。Theday-laborerisreckonedasstandingatthefootofthesocialscale，yetheissaturatedwiththelawsoftheworld。

Hismeasuresarethehours；morningandnight，solsticeandequinox，geometry，astronomy，andallthelovelyaccidentsofnatureplaythroughhismind。Money，whichrepresentstheproseoflife，andwhichishardlyspokenofinparlorswithoutanapology，is，initseffectsandlaws，asbeautifulasroses。Propertykeepstheaccountsoftheworld，andisalwaysmoral。Thepropertywillbefoundwherethelabor，thewisdom，andthevirtuehavebeeninnations，inclasses，and(thewholelife-timeconsidered，withthecompensations)

intheindividualalso。Howwisetheworldappears，whenthelawsandusagesofnationsarelargelydetailed，andthecompletenessofthemunicipalsystemisconsidered！Nothingisleftout。Ifyougointothemarkets，andthecustom-houses，theinsurers\'andnotaries\'

offices，theofficesofsealersofweightsandmeasures，ofinspectionofprovisions，——itwillappearasifonemanhadmadeitall。Whereveryougo，awitlikeyourownhasbeenbeforeyou，andhasrealizeditsthought。TheEleusinianmysteries，theEgyptianarchitecture，theIndianastronomy，theGreeksculpture，showthattherealwayswereseeingandknowingmenintheplanet。Theworldisfullofmasonicties，ofguilds，ofsecretandpubliclegionsofhonor；thatofscholars，forexample；andthatofgentlemenfraternizingwiththeupperclassofeverycountryandeveryculture。

Iamverymuchstruckinliteraturebonsmustfurnishytheappearance，thatonepersonwroteallthebooks；asiftheeditorofajournalplantedhisbodyofreportersindifferentpartsofthefieldofaction，andrelievedsomebyothersfromtimetotime；butthereissuchequalityandidentitybothofjudgmentandpointofviewinthenarrative，thatitisplainlytheworkofoneall-seeing，all-hearinggentleman。IlookedintoPope\'sOdysseyyesterday：itisascorrectandelegantafterourcanonoftoday，asifitwerenewlywritten。Themodernnessofallgoodbooksseemstogivemeanexistenceaswideasman。Whatiswelldone，IfeelasifIdid；

whatisill-done，Irecknotof。Shakspeare\'spassagesofpassion(forexample，inLearandHamlet)areintheverydialectofthepresentyear。Iamfaithfulagaintothewholeoverthemembersinmyuseofbooks。Ifindthemostpleasureinreadingabookinamannerleastflatteringtotheauthor。IreadProclus，andsometimesPlato，asImightreadadictionary，foramechanicalhelptothefancyandtheimagination。Ireadforthelustres，asifoneshoulduseafinepictureinachromaticexperiment，foritsrichcolors。

\'TisnotProclus，butapieceofnatureandfatethatIexplore。Itisagreaterjoytoseetheauthor\'sauthor，thanhimself。AhigherpleasureofthesamekindIfoundlatelyataconcert，whereIwenttohearHandel\'sMessiah。Asthemasteroverpoweredthelittlenessandincapablenessoftheperformers，andmadethemconductorsofhiselectricity，soitwaseasytoobservewhateffortsnaturewasmakingthroughsomanyhoarse，wooden，andimperfectpersons，toproducebeautifulvoices，fluidandsoul-guidedmenandwomen。Thegeniusofnaturewasparamountattheoratorio。

Thispreferenceofthegeniustothepartsisthesecretofthatdeificationofart，whichisfoundinallsuperiorminds。Art，intheartist，isproportion，or，ahabitualrespecttothewholebyaneyelovingbeautyindetails。Andthewonderandcharmofitisthesanityininsanonsmustfurnishitywhichitdenotes。Proportionisalmostimpossibletohumanbeings。Thereisnoonewhodoesnotexaggerate。Inconversation，menareencumberedwithpersonality，andtalktoomuch。Inmodernsculpture，picture，andpoetry，thebeautyismiscellaneous；theartistworkshereandthere，andatallpoints，addingandadding，insteadofunfoldingtheunitofhisthought。Beautifuldetailswemusthave，ornoartist：buttheymustbemeansandneverother。Theeyemustnotlosesightforamomentofthepurpose。Livelyboyswritetotheirearandeye，andthecoolreaderfindsnothingbutsweetjinglesinit。Whentheygrowolder，theyrespecttheargument。

Weobeythesameintellectualintegrity，whenwestudyinexceptionsthelawoftheworld。Anomalousfacts，astheneverquiteobsoleterumorsofmagicanddemonology，andthenewallegationsofphrenologistsandneurologists，areofidealuse。Theyaregoodindications。Homoeopathyisinsignificantasanartofhealing，butofgreatvalueascriticismonthehygeiaormedicalpracticeofthetime。SowithMesmerism，Swedenborgism，Fourierism，andtheMillennialChurch；theyarepoorpretensionsenough，butgoodcriticismonthescience，philosophy，andpreachingoftheday。Fortheseabnormalinsightsoftheadepts，oughttobenormal，andthingsofcourse。

Allthingsshowus，thatoneverysideweareveryneartothebest。Itseemsnotworthwhiletoexecutewithtoomuchpainssomeoneintellectual，oraesthetical，orcivilfeat，whenpresentlythedreamwillscatter，andweshallburstintouniversalpower。Thereasonofidlenessandofcrimeisthedeferringofourhopes。

Whilstwearewaiting，webeguilethetimewithjokes，withsleep，witheating，andwithcrimes。

Thuswesettleitinourcoollibraries，thatalltheagentswithwhichwedealaresubalterns，whichwecanwellaffordtoletpass，andlifewillbesimplerwhenweliveatthecentre，andfloutthesurfaces。Iwishonsmustfurnishtospeakwithallrespectofpersons，butsometimesImustpinchmyselftokeepawake，andpreservetheduedecorum。Theymeltsofastintoeachother，thattheyarelikegrassandtrees，anditneedsanefforttotreatthemasindividuals。Thoughtheuninspiredmancertainlyfindspersonsaconveniencyinhouseholdmatters，thedivinemandoesnotrespectthem：heseesthemasarackofclouds，orafleetofrippleswhichthewinddrivesoverthesurfaceofthewater。Butthisisflatrebellion。NaturewillnotbeBuddhist：sheresentsgeneralizing，andinsultsthephilosopherineverymomentwithamillionoffreshparticulars。Itisallidletalking：asmuchasamanisawhole，soishealsoapart；anditwerepartialnottoseeit。Whatyousayinyourpompousdistributiononlydistributesyouintoyourclassandsection。Youhavenotgotridofpartsbydenyingthem，butarethemorepartial。Youareonething，butnatureis_onethingandtheotherthing_，inthesamemoment。Shewillnotremainorbedinathought，butrushesintopersons；andwheneachperson，inflamedtoafuryofpersonality，wouldconquerallthingstohispoorcrotchet，sheraisesupagainsthimanotherperson，andbymanypersonsincarnatesagainasortofwhole。Shewillhaveall。NickBottomcannotplayalltheparts，workithowhemay：therewillbesomebodyelse，andtheworldwillberound。Everythingmusthaveitsfloweroreffortatthebeautiful，coarserorfineraccordingtoitsstuff。

Theyrelieveandrecommendeachother，andthesanityofsocietyisabalanceofathousandinsanities。Shepunishesabstractionists，andwillonlyforgiveaninductionwhichisrareandcasual。Weliketocometoaheightoflandandseethelandscape，justaswevalueageneralremarkinconversation。Butitisnottheintentionofnaturethatweshouldlivebygeneralviews。Wefetchfireandwater，runaboutalldayamongtheshopsandmarkets，andgetourclothesandshoesmonsmustfurnishadeandmended，andarethevictimsofthesedetails，andonceinafortnightwearriveperhapsatarationalmoment。Ifwewerenotthusinfatuated，ifwesawtherealfromhourtohour，weshouldnotbeheretowriteandtoread，butshouldhavebeenburnedorfrozenlongago。Shewouldnevergetanythingdone，ifshesufferedadmirableCrichtons，anduniversalgeniuses。Shelovesbetterawheelwrightwhodreamsallnightofwheels，andagroomwhoispartofhishorse：forsheisfullofwork，andtheseareherhands。Asthefrugalfarmertakescarethathiscattleshalleatdowntherowan，andswineshalleatthewasteofhishouse，andpoultryshallpickthecrumbs，sooureconomicalmotherdespatchesanewgeniusandhabitofmindintoeverydistrictandconditionofexistence，plantsaneyewhereveranewrayoflightcanfall，andgatheringupintosomemaneverypropertyintheuniverse，establishesthousandfoldoccultmutualattractionsamongheroffspring，thatallthiswashandwasteofpowermaybeimpartedandexchanged。

Greatdangersundoubtedlyaccruefromthisincarnationanddistributionofthegodhead，andhencenaturehashermaligners，asifshewereCirce；andAlphonsoofCastillefanciedhecouldhavegivenusefuladvice。Butshedoesnotgounprovided；shehashelleboreatthebottomofthecup。Solitudewouldripenaplentifulcropofdespots。Thereclusethinksofmenashavinghismanner，orasnothavinghismanner；andashavingdegreesofit，moreandless。

Butwhenhecomesintoapublicassembly，heseesthatmenhaveverydifferentmannersfromhisown，andintheirwayadmirable。Inhischildhoodandyouth，hehashadmanychecksandcensures，andthinksmodestlyenoughofhisownendowment。Whenafterwardshecomestounfolditinpropitiouscircumstance，itseemstheonlytalent：heisdelightedwithhissuccess，andaccountshimselfalreadythefellowofthegreat。Buthegoesintoamob，intoabanking-house，intoamonsmustfurnishechanic\'sshop，intoamill，intoalaboratory，intoaship，intoacamp，andineachnewplaceheisnobetterthananidiot：othertalentstakeplace，andrulethehour。Therotationwhichwhirlseveryleafandpebbletothemeridian，reachestoeverygiftofman，andwealltaketurnsatthetop。

Fornature，whoabhorsmannerism，hassetherheartonbreakingupallstylesandtricks，anditissomucheasiertodowhatonehasdonebefore，thantodoanewthing，thatthereisaperpetualtendencytoasetmode。Ineveryconversation，eventhehighest，thereisacertaintrick，whichmaybesoonlearnedbyanacuteperson，andthenthatparticularstylecontinuedindefinitely。Eachman，too，isatyrantintendency，becausehewouldimposehisideaonothers；andtheirtrickistheirnaturaldefence。Jesuswouldabsorbtherace；butTomPaineorthecoarsestblasphemerhelpshumanitybyresistingthisexuberanceofpower。Hencetheimmensebenefitofpartyinpolitics，asitrevealsfaultsofcharacterinachief，whichtheintellectualforceofthepersons，withordinaryopportunity，andnothurledintoaphelionbyhatred，couldnothaveseen。Sinceweareallsostupid，whatbenefitthatthereshouldbetwostupidities！Itislikethatbruteadvantagesoessentialtoastronomy，ofhavingthediameteroftheearth\'sorbitforabaseofitstriangles。Democracyismorose，andrunstoanarchy，butinthestate，andintheschools，itisindispensabletoresisttheconsolidationofallmenintoafewmen。IfJohnwasperfect，whyareyouandIalive？Aslongasanymanexists，thereissomeneedofhim；lethimfightforhisown。Anewpoethasappeared；anewcharacterapproachedus；whyshouldwerefusetoeatbread，untilwehavefoundhisregimentandsectioninouroldarmy-files？Whynotanewman？HereisanewenterpriseofBrookFarm，ofSkeneateles，ofNorthampton：whysoimpatienttobaptisethemEssenes，orPort-Royalists，orShakers，orbyanyknoonsmustfurnishwnandeffetename？Letitbeanewwayofliving。Whyhaveonlytwoorthreewaysoflife，andnotthousands？Everymaniswanted，andnomaniswantedmuch。Wecamethistimeforcondiments，notforcorn。Wewantthegreatgeniusonlyforjoy；foronestarmoreinourconstellation，foronetreemoreinourgrove。Buthethinkswewishtobelongtohim，ashewishestooccupyus。Hegreatlymistakesus。

IthinkIhavedonewell，ifIhaveacquiredanewwordfromagoodauthor；andmybusinesswithhimistofindmyown，thoughitwereonlytomelthimdownintoanepithetoranimagefordailyuse。

“IntopaintwillIgrindthee，mybride！”

Toembroiltheconfusion，andmakeitimpossibletoarriveatanygeneralstatement，whenwehaveinsistedontheimperfectionofindividuals，ouraffectionsandourexperienceurgethateveryindividualisentitledtohonor，andaverygeneroustreatmentissuretoberepaid。Arecluseseesonlytwoorthreepersons，andallowsthemalltheirroom；theyspreadthemselvesatlarge。Themanofstatelooksatmany，andcomparesthefewhabituallywithothers，andtheselookless。Yetaretheynotentitledtothisgenerosityofreception？andisnotmunificencethemeansofinsight？Forthoughgamesterssay，thatthecardsbeatalltheplayers，thoughtheywereneversoskilful，yetinthecontestwearenowconsidering，theplayersarealsothegame，andsharethepowerofthecards。Ifyoucriticiseafinegenius，theoddsarethatyouareoutofyourreckoning，and，insteadofthepoet，arecensuringyourowncaricatureofhim。Forthereissomewhatspheralandinfiniteineveryman，especiallyineverygenius，which，ifyoucancomeverynearhim，sportswithallyourlimitations。For，rightly，everymanisachannelthroughwhichheavenfloweth，and，whilstIfanciedI

wascriticisinghim，Iwascensuringorratherterminatingmyownsoul。AftertaxingGoetheasacourtier，artificial，unbelieonsmustfurnishving，worldly，——ItookupthisbookofHelena，andfoundhimanIndianofthewilderness，apieceofpurenaturelikeanappleoranoak，largeasmorningornight，andvirtuousasabriar-rose。

Butcareistakenthatthewholetuneshallbeplayed。Ifwewerenotkeptamongsurfaces，everythingwouldbelargeanduniversal：nowtheexcludedattributesburstinonuswiththemorebrightness，thattheyhavebeenexcluded。“Yourturnnow，myturnnext，“istheruleofthegame。Theuniversalitybeinghinderedinitsprimaryform，comesinthesecondaryformof_allsides_：thepointscomeinsuccessiontothemeridian，andbythespeedofrotation，anewwholeisformed。Naturekeepsherselfwhole，andherrepresentationcompleteintheexperienceofeachmind。Shesuffersnoseattobevacantinhercollege。Itisthesecretoftheworldthatallthingssubsist，anddonotdie，butonlyretirealittlefromsight，andafterwardsreturnagain。Whateverdoesnotconcernus，isconcealedfromus。Assoonasapersonisnolongerrelatedtoourpresentwell-being，heisconcealed，or_dies_，aswesay。

Really，allthingsandpersonsarerelatedtous，butaccordingtoournature，theyactonusnotatonce，butinsuccession，andwearemadeawareoftheirpresenceoneatatime。Allpersons，allthingswhichwehaveknown，areherepresent，andmanymorethanwesee；theworldisfull。Astheancientsaid，theworldisa_plenum_orsolid；andifwesawallthingsthatreallysurroundus，weshouldbeimprisonedandunabletomove。For，thoughnothingisimpassabletothesoul，butallthingsarepervioustoit，andlikehighways，yetthisisonlywhilstthesouldoesnotseethem。Assoonasthesoulseesanyobject，itstopsbeforethatobject。Therefore，thedivineProvidence，whichkeepstheuniverseopenineverydirectiontothesoul，concealsallthefurnitureandallthepersonsthatdonotconcernaparticularsoul，fromtheonsmustfurnishsensesofthatindividual。Throughsolidesteternalthings，themanfindshisroad，asiftheydidnotsubsist，anddoesnotoncesuspecttheirbeing。

Assoonasheneedsanewobject，suddenlyhebeholdsit，andnolongerattemptstopassthroughit，buttakesanotherway。Whenhehasexhaustedforthetimethenourishmenttobedrawnfromanyonepersonorthing，thatobjectiswithdrawnfromhisobservation，andthoughstillinhisimmediateneighborhood，hedoesnotsuspectitspresence。

Nothingisdead：menfeignthemselvesdead，andenduremockfuneralsandmournfulobituaries，andtheretheystandlookingoutofthewindow，soundandwell，insomenewandstrangedisguise。Jesusisnotdead：heisverywellalive：norJohn，norPaul，norMahomet，norAristotle；attimeswebelievewehaveseenthemall，andcouldeasilytellthenamesunderwhichtheygo。

Ifwecannotmakevoluntaryandconsciousstepsintheadmirablescienceofuniversals，letusseethepartswisely，andinferthegeniusofnaturefromthebestparticularswithabecomingcharity。Whatisbestineachkindisanindexofwhatshouldbetheaverageofthatthing。Loveshowsmetheopulenceofnature，bydisclosingtomeinmyfriendahiddenwealth，andIinferanequaldepthofgoodineveryotherdirection。Itiscommonlysaidbyfarmers，thatagoodpearorapplecostsnomoretimeorpainstorear，thanapoorone；soIwouldhavenoworkofart，nospeech，oraction，orthought，orfriend，butthebest。

Theendandthemeans，thegamesterandthegame，——lifeismadeupoftheintermixtureandreactionofthesetwoamicablepowers，whosemarriageappearsbeforehandmonstrous，aseachdeniesandtendstoabolishtheother。Wemustreconcilethecontradictionsaswecan，buttheirdiscordandtheirconcordintroducewildabsurditiesintoourthinkingandspeech。Nosentencewillholdthewholetruth，andtheonlywayinwhichwecanbejust，isbygivingourseonsmustfurnishlvesthelie；Speechisbetterthansilence；

silenceisbetterthanspeech；——Allthingsareincontact；everyatomhasasphereofrepulsion；——Thingsare，andarenot，atthesametime；——andthelike。Alltheuniverseover，thereisbutonething，thisoldTwo-Face，creator-creature，mind-matter，right-wrong，ofwhichanypropositionmaybeaffirmedordenied。Veryfitly，therefore，Iassert，thateverymanisapartialist，thatnaturesecureshimasaninstrumentbyself-conceit，preventingthetendenciestoreligionandscience；andnowfurtherassert，that，eachman\'sgeniusbeingnearlyandaffectionatelyexplored，heisjustifiedinhisindividuality，ashisnatureisfoundtobeimmense；

andnowIadd，thateverymanisauniversalistalso，and，asourearth，whilstitspinsonitsownaxis，spinsallthetimearoundthesunthroughthecelestialspaces，sotheleastofitsrationalchildren，themostdedicatedtohisprivateaffair，worksout，thoughasitwereunderadisguise，theuniversalproblem。Wefancymenareindividuals；soarepumpkins；buteverypumpkininthefield，goesthrougheverypointofpumpkinhistory。Therabiddemocrat，assoonasheissenatorandrichman，hasripenedbeyondpossibilityofsincereradicalism，andunlesshecanresistthesun，hemustbeconservativetheremainderofhisdays。LordEldonsaidinhisoldage，“that，ifheweretobeginlifeagain，hewouldbedamnedbuthewouldbeginasagitator。“

Wehidethisuniversality，ifwecan，butitappearsatallpoints。Weareasungratefulaschildren。Thereisnothingwecherishandstrivetodrawtous，butinsomehourweturnandrendit。Wekeeparunningfireofsarcasmatignoranceandthelifeofthesenses；thengoesby，perchance，afairgirl，apieceoflife，gayandhappy，andmakingthecommonestofficesbeautiful，bytheenergyandheartwithwhichshedoesthem，andseeingthis，weadmireandloveherandthem，andsay，“Lo！ageonsmustfurnishnuinecreatureofthefairearth，notdissipated，ortooearlyripenedbybooks，philosophy，religion，society，orcare！”insinuatingatreacheryandcontemptforallwehadsolonglovedandwroughtinourselvesandothers。

Ifwecouldhaveanysecurityagainstmoods！Iftheprofoundestprophetcouldbeholdentohiswords，andthehearerwhoisreadytosellallandjointhecrusade，couldhaveanycertificatethattomorrowhisprophetshallnotunsayhistestimony！ButtheTruthsitsveiledthereontheBench，andneverinterposesanadamantinesyllable；andthemostsincereandrevolutionarydoctrine，putasifthearkofGodwerecarriedforwardsomefurlongs，andplantedthereforthesuccoroftheworld，shallinafewweeksbecoldlysetasidebythesamespeaker，asmorbid；“IthoughtIwasright，butIwasnot，“——andthesameimmeasurablecredulitydemandedfornewaudacities。Ifwewerenotofallopinions！ifwedidnotinanymomentshifttheplatformonwhichwestand，andlookandspeakfromanother！iftherecouldbeanyregulation，any`one-hour-rule，\'thatamanshouldneverleavehispointofview，withoutsoundoftrumpet。Iamalwaysinsincere，asalwaysknowingthereareothermoods。

Howsincereandconfidentialwecanbe，sayingallthatliesinthemind，andyetgoawayfeelingthatallisyetunsaid，fromtheincapacityofthepartiestoknoweachother，althoughtheyusethesamewords！Mycompanionassumestoknowmymoodandhabitofthought，andwegoonfromexplanationtoexplanation，untilallissaidwhichwordscan，andweleavemattersjustastheywereatfirst，becauseofthatviciousassumption。Isitthateverymanbelieveseveryothertobeanincurablepartialist，andhimselfanuniversalist？Italkedyesterdaywithapairofphilosophers：I

endeavoredtoshowmygoodmenthatIloveeverythingbyturns，andnothinglong；thatIlovedthecentre，butdoatedonthesuperficies；

thatIlovedman，ifmenseonsmustfurnishemedtomemiceandrats；

thatIreveredsaints，butwokeupgladthattheoldpaganworldstooditsground，anddiedhard；thatIwasgladofmenofeverygiftandnobility，butwouldnotliveintheirarms。Couldtheybutonceunderstand，thatIlovedtoknowthattheyexisted，andheartilywishedthemGodspeed，yet，outofmypovertyoflifeandthought，hadnowordorwelcomeforthemwhentheycametoseeme，andcouldwellconsenttotheirlivinginOregon，foranyclaimIfeltonthem，itwouldbeagreatsatisfaction。

_NewEnglandReformers_

_ALecturereadbeforetheSocietyinAmoryHall，_

_onSunday，3March，1844_

WhoeverhashadopportunityofacquaintancewithsocietyinNewEngland，duringthelasttwenty-fiveyears，withthosemiddleandwiththoseleadingsectionsthatmayconstituteanyjustrepresentationofthecharacterandaimofthecommunity，willhavebeenstruckwiththegreatactivityofthoughtandexperimenting。

HisattentionmustbecommandedbythesignsthattheChurch，orreligiousparty，isfallingfromthechurchnominal，andisappearingintemperanceandnon-resistancesocieties，inmovementsofabolitionistsandofsocialists，andinverysignificantassemblies，calledSabbathandBibleConventions，——composedofultraists，ofseekers，ofallthesoulofthesoldieryofdissent，andmeetingtocallinquestiontheauthorityoftheSabbath，ofthepriesthood，andofthechurch。Inthesemovements，nothingwasmoreremarkablethanthediscontenttheybegotinthemovers。Thespiritofprotestandofdetachment，drovethemembersoftheseConventionstobeartestimonyagainstthechurch，andimmediatelyafterward，todeclaretheirdiscontentwiththeseConventions，theirindependenceoftheircolleagues，andtheirimpatienceofthemethodswherebytheywereworking。Theydefiedeachother，likeacongressofkings，eachofwhomhadarealmtorule，andawayofhisownthatmadeconcertunprofitable。Whatafertilityofprojectsforthesalvationoftheworld！Oneapostlethoughtallmenshouldgotofarming；andanother，thatnomanshouldbuyorsell：thattheuseofmoneywasthecardinalevil；another，thatthemischiefwasinourdiet，thatweeatanddrinkdamnation。Thesemadeunleavenedbread，andwerefoestothedeathtofermentation。Itwasinvainurgedbythehousewife，thatGodmadeyeast，aswellasdough，andlovesfermentationjustasdearlyashelovesvegetation；thatfermentationdevelopsthesaccharineelementinthegrain，andmakesitmorepalatableandmoredigestible。No；theywishthepurewheat，andwilldiebutitshallnotferment。Stop，dearnature，theseincessantadvancesofthine；

letusscotchtheseever-rollingwheels！Othersattackedthesystemofagriculture，theuseofanimalmanuresinfarming；andthetyrannyofmanoverbrutenature；theseabusespollutedhisfood。Theoxmustbetakenfromtheplough，andthehorsefromthecart，thehundredacresofthefarmmustbespaded，andthemanmustwalkwhereverboatsandlocomotiveswillnotcarryhim。Eventheinsectworldwastobedefended，——thathadbeentoolongneglected，andasocietyfortheprotectionofground-worms，slugs，andmosquitoswastobeincorporatedwithoutdelay。Withtheseappearedtheadeptsofhomoeopathy，ofhydropathy，ofmesmerism，ofphrenology，andtheirwonderfultheoriesoftheChristianmiracles！Othersassailedparticularvocations，asthatofthelawyer，thatofthemerchant，ofthemanufacturer，oftheclergyman，ofthescholar。Othersattackedtheinstitutionofmarriage，asthefountainofsocialevils。Othersdevotedthemselvestotheworryingofchurchesandmeetingsforpublicworship；andthefertileformsofantinomianismamongtheelderpuritans，seemedtohavetheirmatchintheplentyofthenewharvestofreform。Withthisdinofopinionanddebate，therewasakeenerscrutinyofinstitutionsanddomesticlifethananywehadknown，therewassincereprotestingagainstexistingevils，andtherewerechangesofemploymentdictatedbyconscience。Nodoubt，therewasplentifulvaporing，andcasesofbackslidingmightoccur。Butineachofthesemovementsemergedagoodresult，atendencytotheadoptionofsimplermethods，andanassertionofthesufficiencyoftheprivateman。Thusitwasdirectlyinthespiritandgeniusoftheage，whathappenedinoneinstance，whenachurchcensuredandthreatenedtoexcommunicateoneofitsmembers，onaccountofthesomewhathostileparttothechurch，whichhisconscienceledhimtotakeintheanti-slaverybusiness；thethreatenedindividualimmediatelyexcommunicatedthechurchinapublicandformalprocess。

Thishasbeenseveraltimesrepeated：itwasexcellentwhenitwasdonethefirsttime，but，ofcourse，losesallvaluewhenitiscopied。Everyprojectinthehistoryofreform，nomatterhowviolentandsurprising，isgood，whenitisthedictateofaman\'sgeniusandconstitution，butverydullandsuspiciouswhenadoptedfromanother。Itisrightandbeautifulinanymantosay，`Iwilltakethiscoat，orthisbook，orthismeasureofcornofyours，\'——

inwhomweseetheacttobeoriginal，andtoflowfromthewholespiritandfaithofhim；forthenthattakingwillhaveagivingasfreeanddivine：butweareveryeasilydisposedtoresistthesamegenerosityofspeech，whenwemissoriginalityandtruthtocharacterinit。TherewasinallthepracticalactivitiesofNewEngland，forthelastquarterofacentury，agradualwithdrawaloftenderconsciencesfromthesocialorganizations。Thereisobservablethroughout，thecontestbetweenmechanicalandspiritualmethods，butwithasteadytendencyofthethoughtfulandvirtuoustoadeeperbeliefandrelianceonspiritualfacts。Inpolitics，forexample，itiseasytoseetheprogressofdissent。Thecountryisfullofrebellion；thecountryisfullofkings。Handsoff！lettherebenocontrolandnointerferenceintheadministrationoftheaffairsofthiskingdomofme。HencethegrowthofthedoctrineandofthepartyofFreeTrade，andthewillingnesstotrythatexperiment，inthefaceofwhatappearincontestablefacts。Iconfess，themottooftheGlobenewspaperissoattractivetome，thatIcanseldomfindmuchappetitetoreadwhatisbelowitinitscolumns，“Theworldisgovernedtoomuch。“Sothecountryisfrequentlyaffordingsolitaryexamplesofresistancetothegovernment，solitarynullifiers，whothrowthemselvesontheirreservedrights；nay，whohavereservedalltheirrights；whoreplytotheassessor，andtotheclerkofcourt，thattheydonotknowtheState；andembarrassthecourtsoflaw，bynon-juring，andthecommander-in-chiefofthemilitia，bynon-resistance。Thesamedispositiontoscrutinyanddissentappearedincivil，festive，neighborly，anddomesticsociety。A

restless，prying，conscientiouscriticismbrokeoutinunexpectedquarters。WhogavemethemoneywithwhichIboughtmycoat？Whyshouldprofessionallaborandthatofthecounting-housebepaidsodisproportionatelytothelaboroftheporter，andwoodsawyer？ThiswholebusinessofTradegivesmetopauseandthink，asitconstitutesfalserelationsbetweenmen；inasmuchasIampronetocountmyselfrelievedofanyresponsibilitytobehavewellandnoblytothatpersonwhomIpaywithmoney，whereasifIhadnotthatcommodity，Ishouldbeputonmygoodbehaviorinallcompanies，andmanwouldbeabenefactortoman，asbeinghimselfhisonlycertificatethathehadarighttothoseaidsandserviceswhicheachaskedoftheother。AmInottooprotectedaperson？istherenotawidedisparitybetweenthelotofmeandthelotofthee，mypoorbrother，mypoorsister？AmInotdefraudedofmybestcultureinthelossofthosegymnasticswhichmanuallaborandtheemergenciesofpovertyconstitute？Ifindnothinghealthfulorexaltinginthesmoothconventionsofsociety；Idonotlikethecloseairofsaloons。Ibegintosuspectmyselftobeaprisoner，thoughtreatedwithallthiscourtesyandluxury。Ipayadestructivetaxinmyconformity。ThesameinsatiablecriticismmaybetracedintheeffortsforthereformofEducation。Thepopulareducationhasbeentaxedwithawantoftruthandnature。Itwascomplainedthataneducationtothingswasnotgiven。Wearestudentsofwords：weareshutupinschools，andcolleges，andrecitation-rooms，fortenorfifteenyears，andcomeoutatlastwithabagofwind，amemoryofwords，anddonotknowathing。Wecannotuseourhands，orourlegs，oroureyes，orourarms。Wedonotknowanediblerootinthewoods，wecannottellourcoursebythestars，northehourofthedaybythesun。Itiswellifwecanswimandskate。Weareafraidofahorse，ofacow，ofadog，ofasnake，ofaspider。TheRomanrulewas，toteachaboynothingthathecouldnotlearnstanding。

TheoldEnglishrulewas，`Allsummerinthefield，andallwinterinthestudy。\'Anditseemsasifamanshouldlearntoplant，ortofish，ortohunt，thathemightsecurehissubsistenceatallevents，andnotbepainfultohisfriendsandfellowmen。Thelessonsofscienceshouldbeexperimentalalso。Thesightoftheplanetthroughatelescope，isworthallthecourseonastronomy：theshockoftheelectricsparkintheelbow，out-valuesallthetheories；thetasteofthenitrousoxide，thefiringofanartificialvolcano，arebetterthanvolumesofchemistry。Oneofthetraitsofthenewspirit，istheinquisitionitfixedonourscholasticdevotiontothedeadlanguages。Theancientlanguages，withgreatbeautyofstructure，containwonderfulremainsofgenius，whichdraw，andalwayswilldraw，certainlikemindedmen，——Greekmen，andRomanmen，inallcountries，totheirstudy；butbyawonderfuldrowsinessofusage，theyhadexactedthestudyof_all_men。Once(saytwocenturiesago)，LatinandGreekhadastrictrelationtoallthescienceandculturetherewasinEurope，andtheMathematicshadamomentaryimportanceatsomeeraofactivityinphysicalscience。Thesethingsbecamestereotypedas_education，_asthemannerofmenis。ButtheGoodSpiritnevercaredforthecolleges，andthoughallmenandboyswerenowdrilledinLatin，Greek，andMathematics，ithadquitelefttheseshellshighanddryonthebeach，andwasnowcreatingandfeedingothermattersatotherendsoftheworld。Butinahundredhighschoolsandcolleges，thiswarfareagainstcommonsensestillgoeson。Four，orsix，ortenyears，thepupilisparsingGreekandLatin，andassoonasheleavestheUniversity，asitisludicrouslycalled，heshutsthosebooksforthelasttime。Somethousandsofyoungmenaregraduatedatourcollegesinthiscountryeveryyear，andthepersonswho，atfortyyears，stillreadGreek，canallbecountedonyourhand。Inevermetwithten。FourorfivepersonsI

haveseenwhoreadPlato。Butisnotthisabsurd，thatthewholeliberaltalentofthiscountryshouldbedirectedinitsbestyearsonstudieswhichleadtonothing？Whatwastheconsequence？Someintelligentpersonssaidorthought；`IsthatGreekandLatinsomespelltoconjurewith，andnotwordsofreason？Ifthephysician，thelawyer，thedivine，neveruseittocomeattheirends，Ineedneverlearnittocomeatmine。Conjuringisgoneoutoffashion，andIwillomitthisconjugating，andgostraighttoaffairs。\'SotheyjumpedtheGreekandLatin，andreadlaw，medicine，orsermons，withoutit。Totheastonishmentofall，theself-madementookevengroundatoncewiththeoldestoftheregulargraduates，andinafewmonthsthemostconservativecirclesofBostonandNewYorkhadquiteforgottenwhooftheirgownsmenwascollege-bred，andwhowasnot。

Onetendencyappearsalikeinthephilosophicalspeculation，andintherudestdemocraticalmovements，throughallthepetulanceandallthepuerility，thewish，namely，tocastasidethesuperfluous，andarriveatshortmethods，urged，asIsuppose，byanintuitionthatthehumanspiritisequaltoallemergencies，alone，andthatmanismoreofteninjuredthanhelpedbythemeansheuses。Iconceivethisgradualcastingoffofmaterialaids，andtheindicationofgrowingtrustintheprivate，self-suppliedpowersoftheindividual，tobetheaffirmativeprincipleoftherecentphilosophy：andthatitisfeelingitsownprofoundtruth，andisreachingforwardatthisveryhourtothehappiestconclusions。Ireadilyconcedethatinthis，asineveryperiodofintellectualactivity，therehasbeenanoiseofdenialandprotest；muchwastoberesisted，muchwastobegotridofbythosewhowererearedintheold，beforetheycouldbegintoaffirmandtoconstruct。Manyareformerperishesinhisremovalofrubbish，——andthatmakestheoffensivenessoftheclass。Theyarepartial；theyarenotequaltotheworktheypretend。Theylosetheirway；intheassaultonthekingdomofdarkness，theyexpendalltheirenergyonsomeaccidentalevil，andlosetheirsanityandpowerofbenefit。Itisoflittlemomentthatoneortwo，ortwentyerrorsofoursocialsystembecorrected，butofmuchthatthemanbeinhissenses。Thecriticismandattackoninstitutionswhichwehavewitnessed，hasmadeonethingplain，thatsocietygainsnothingwhilstaman，nothimselfrenovated，attemptstorenovatethingsaroundhim：hehasbecometediouslygoodinsomeparticular，butnegligentornarrowintherest；andhypocrisyandvanityareoftenthedisgustingresult。Itishandsomertoremainintheestablishmentbetterthantheestablishment，andconductthatinthebestmanner，thantomakeasallyagainstevilbysomesingleimprovement，withoutsupportingitbyatotalregeneration。Donotbesovainofyouroneobjection。Doyouthinkthereisonlyone？

Alas！mygoodfriend，thereisnopartofsocietyoroflifebetterthananyotherpart。Allourthingsarerightandwrongtogether。

Thewaveofevilwashesallourinstitutionsalike。DoyoucomplainofourMarriage？Ourmarriageisnoworsethanoureducation，ourdiet，ourtrade，oursocialcustoms。DoyoucomplainofthelawsofProperty？Itisapedantrytogivesuchimportancetothem。Canwenotplaythegameoflifewiththesecounters，aswellaswiththose；

intheinstitutionofproperty，aswellasoutofit。Letintoitthenewandrenewingprincipleoflove，andpropertywillbeuniversality。Noonegivestheimpressionofsuperioritytotheinstitution，whichhemustgivewhowillreformit。Itmakesnodifferencewhatyousay：youmustmakemefeelthatyouarealooffromit；byyournaturalandsuper-naturaladvantages，doeasilyseetotheendofit，——doseehowmancandowithoutit。Nowallmenareononeside。Nomandeservestobeheardagainstproperty。OnlyLove，onlyanIdea，isagainstproperty，asweholdit。Icannotaffordtobeirritableandcaptious，nortowasteallmytimeinattacks。IfIshouldgooutofchurchwheneverIhearafalsesentiment，Icouldneverstaytherefiveminutes。Butwhycomeout？

thestreetisasfalseasthechurch，andwhenIgettomyhouse，ortomymanners，ortomyspeech，Ihavenotgotawayfromthelie。

Whenweseeaneagerassailantofoneofthesewrongs，aspecialreformer，wefeellikeaskinghim，Whatrighthaveyou，sir，toyouronevirtue？Isvirtuepiecemeal？Thisisajewelamidsttheragsofabeggar。Inanotherwaytherightwillbevindicated。Inthemidstofabuses，intheheartofcities，intheaislesoffalsechurches，alikeinoneplaceandinanother，——wherever，namely，ajustandheroicsoulfindsitself，thereitwilldowhatisnextathand，andbythenewqualityofcharacteritshallputforth，itshallabrogatethatoldcondition，laworschoolinwhichitstands，beforethelawofitsownmind。Ifpartialitywasonefaultofthemovementparty，theotherdefectwastheirrelianceonAssociation。DoubtssuchasthoseIhaveintimated，drovemanygoodpersonstoagitatethequestionsofsocialreform。Buttherevoltagainstthespiritofcommerce，thespiritofaristocracy，andtheinveterateabusesofcities，didnotappearpossibletoindividuals；andtodobattleagainstnumbers，theyarmedthemselveswithnumbers，andagainstconcert，theyreliedonnewconcert。Following，oradvancingbeyondtheideasofSt。Simon，ofFourier，andofOwen，threecommunitieshavealreadybeenformedinMassachusettsonkindredplans，andmanymoreinthecountryatlarge。Theyaimtogiveeverymemberashareinthemanuallabor，togiveanequalrewardtolaborandtotalent，andtounitealiberalculturewithaneducationtolabor。Theschemeoffers，bytheeconomiesofassociatedlaborandexpense，tomakeeverymemberrich，onthesameamountofproperty，that，inseparatefamilies，wouldleaveeverymemberpoor。Thesenewassociationsarecomposedofmenandwomenofsuperiortalentsandsentiments：yetitmayeasilybequestioned，whethersuchacommunitywilldraw，exceptinitsbeginnings，theableandthegood；whetherthosewhohaveenergy，willnotprefertheirchanceofsuperiorityandpowerintheworld，tothehumblecertaintiesoftheassociation；

whethersucharetreatdoesnotpromisetobecomeanassylumtothosewhohavetriedandfailed，ratherthanafieldtothestrong；andwhetherthememberswillnotnecessarilybefractionsofmen，becauseeachfindsthathecannotenterit，withoutsomecompromise。

Friendshipandassociationareveryfinethings，andagrandphalanxofthebestofthehumanrace，bandedforsomecatholicobject：yes，excellent；butrememberthatnosocietycaneverbesolargeasoneman。Heinhisfriendship，inhisnaturalandmomentaryassociations，doublesormultiplieshimself；butinthehourinwhichhemortgageshimselftotwoortenortwenty，hedwarfshimselfbelowthestatureofone。Butthemenoflessfaithcouldnotthusbelieve，andtosuch，concertappearsthesolespecificofstrength。

Ihavefailed，andyouhavefailed，butperhapstogetherweshallnotfail。Ourhousekeepingisnotsatisfactorytous，butperhapsaphalanx，acommunity，mightbe。Manyofushavedifferedinopinion，andwecouldfindnomanwhocouldmakethetruthplain，butpossiblyacollege，oranecclesiasticalcouncilmight。Ihavenotbeenableeithertopersuademybrotherortoprevailonmyself，todisusethetrafficorthepotationofbrandy，butperhapsapledgeoftotalabstinencemighteffectuallyrestrainus。Thecandidatemypartyvotesforisnottobetrustedwithadollar，buthewillbehonestintheSenate，forwecanbringpublicopiniontobearonhim。Thusconcertwasthespecificinallcases。Butconcertisneitherbetternorworse，neithermorenorlesspotentthanindividualforce。Allthemenintheworldcannotmakeastatuewalkandspeak，cannotmakeadropofblood，orabladeofgrass，anymorethanonemancan。Butlettherebeoneman，lettherebetruthintwomen，intenmen，thenisconcertforthefirsttimepossible，becausetheforcewhichmovestheworldisanewquality，andcanneverbefurnishedbyaddingwhateverquantitiesofadifferentkind。Whatistheuseoftheconcertofthefalseandthedisunited？Therecanbenoconcertintwo，wherethereisnoconcertinone。Whentheindividualisnot_individual，_butisdual；whenhisthoughtslookoneway，andhisactionsanother；whenhisfaithistraversedbyhishabits；whenhiswill，enlightenedbyreason，iswarpedbyhissense；whenwithonehandherows，andwiththeotherbackswater，whatconcertcanbe？I

donotwonderattheinteresttheseprojectsinspire。Theworldisawakingtotheideaofunion，andtheseexperimentsshowwhatitisthinkingof。Itisandwillbemagic。Menwillliveandcommunicate，andplough，andreap，andgovern，asbyaddedetherealpower，whenoncetheyareunited；asinacelebratedexperiment，byexpirationandrespirationexactlytogether，fourpersonsliftaheavymanfromthegroundbythelittlefingeronly，andwithoutsenseofweight。Butthisunionmustbeinward，andnotoneofcovenants，andistobereachedbyareverseofthemethodstheyuse。

Theunionisonlyperfect，whenalltheunitersareisolated。Itistheunionoffriendswholiveindifferentstreetsortowns。Eachman，ifheattemptstojoinhimselftoothers，isonallsidescrampedanddiminishedofhisproportion；andthestrictertheunion，thesmallerandthemorepitifulheis。Butleavehimalone，torecognizeineveryhourandplacethesecretsoul，hewillgoupanddowndoingtheworksofatruemember，and，totheastonishmentofall，theworkwillbedonewithconcert，thoughnomanspoke。

Governmentwillbeadamantinewithoutanygovernor。Theunionmustbeidealinactualindividualism。Ipasstotheindicationinsomeparticularsofthatfaithinman，whichtheheartispreachingtousinthesedays，andwhichengagesthemoreregard，fromtheconsideration，thatthespeculationsofonegenerationarethehistoryofthenextfollowing。Inalludingjustnowtooursystemofeducation，Ispokeofthedeadnessofitsdetails。Butitisopentogravercriticismthanthepalsyofitsmembers：itisasystemofdespair。Thediseasewithwhichthehumanmindnowlabors，iswantoffaith。Mendonotbelieveinapowerofeducation。Wedonotthinkwecanspeaktodivinesentimentsinman，andwedonottry。

Werenounceallhighaims。Webelievethatthedefectsofsomanyperverseandsomanyfrivolouspeople，whomakeupsociety，areorganic，andsocietyisahospitalofincurables。Amanofgoodsensebutoflittlefaith，whosecompassionseemedtoleadhimtochurchasoftenashewentthere，saidtome；“thathelikedtohaveconcerts，andfairs，andchurches，andotherpublicamusementsgoon。“Iamafraidtheremarkistoohonest，andcomesfromthesameoriginasthemaximofthetyrant，“Ifyouwouldruletheworldquietly，youmustkeepitamused。“Inoticetoo，thatthegroundonwhicheminentpublicservantsurgetheclaimsofpopulareducationisfear：`Thiscountryisfillingupwiththousandsandmillionsofvoters，andyoumusteducatethemtokeepthemfromourthroats。\'Wedonotbelievethatanyeducation，anysystemofphilosophy，anyinfluenceofgenius，willevergivedepthofinsighttoasuperficialmind。Havingsettledourselvesintothisinfidelity，ourskillisexpendedtoprocurealleviations，diversion，opiates。Weadornthevictimwithmanualskill，histonguewithlanguages，hisbodywithinoffensiveandcomelymanners。Sohavewecunninglyhidthetragedyoflimitationandinnerdeathwecannotavert。Isitstrangethatsocietyshouldbedevouredbyasecretmelancholy，whichbreaksthroughallitssmiles，andallitsgayetyandgames？Butevenonestepfartherourinfidelityhasgone。Itappearsthatsomedoubtisfeltbygoodandwisemen，whetherreallythehappinessandprobityofmenisincreasedbythecultureofthemindinthosedisciplinestowhichwegivethenameofeducation。Unhappily，too，thedoubtcomesfromscholars，frompersonswhohavetriedthesemethods。Intheirexperience，thescholarwasnotraisedbythesacredthoughtsamongstwhichhedwelt，butusedthemtoselfishends。Hewasaprofaneperson，andbecameashowman，turninghisgiftstoamarketableuse，andnottohisownsustenanceandgrowth。Itwasfoundthattheintellectcouldbeindependentlydeveloped，thatis，inseparationfromtheman，asanysingleorgancanbeinvigorated，andtheresultwasmonstrous。Acanineappetiteforknowledgewasgenerated，whichmuststillbefed，butwasneversatisfied，andthisknowledgenotbeingdirectedonaction，nevertookthecharacterofsubstantial，humanetruth，blessingthosewhomitentered。Itgavethescholarcertainpowersofexpression，thepowerofspeech，thepowerofpoetry，ofliteraryart，butitdidnotbringhimtopeace，ortobeneficence。Whentheliteraryclassbetrayadestitutionoffaith，itisnotstrangethatsocietyshouldbedisheartenedandsensualizedbyunbelief。Whatremedy？Lifemustbelivedonahigherplane。Wemustgouptoahigherplatform，towhichwearealwaysinvitedtoascend；there，thewholeaspectofthingschanges。

Iresisttheskepticismofoureducation，andofoureducatedmen。I

donotbelievethatthedifferencesofopinionandcharacterinmenareorganic。Idonotrecognize，besidetheclassofthegoodandthewise，apermanentclassofskeptics，oraclassofconservatives，orofmalignants，orofmaterialists。Idonotbelieveintwoclasses。YourememberthestoryofthepoorwomanwhoimportunedKingPhilipofMacedontograntherjustice，whichPhiliprefused：

thewomanexclaimed，“Iappeal“：theking，astonished，askedtowhomsheappealed：thewomanreplied，“fromPhilipdrunktoPhilipsober。“

Thetextwillsuitmeverywell。Ibelievenotintwoclassesofmen，butinmanintwomoods，inPhilipdrunkandPhilipsober。I

think，accordingtothegood-heartedwordofPlato，“Unwillinglythesoulisdeprivedoftruth。“Ironconservative，miser，orthief，nomanis，butbyasupposednecessity，whichhetoleratesbyshortnessortorpidityofsight。Thesoulletsnomangowithoutsomevisitationsandholy-daysofadivinerpresence。Itwouldbeeasytoshow，byanarrowscanningofanyman\'sbiography，thatwearenotsoweddedtoourpaltryperformancesofeverykind，butthateverymanhasatintervalsthegracetoscornhisperformances，incomparingthemwithhisbeliefofwhatheshoulddo，thatheputshimselfonthesideofhisenemies，listeninggladlytowhattheysayofhim，andaccusinghimselfofthesamethings。WhatisitmenloveinGenius，butitsinfinitehope，whichdegradesallithasdone？

Geniuscountsallitsmiraclespoorandshort。Itsownideaitneverexecuted。TheIliad，theHamlet，theDoriccolumn，theRomanarch，theGothicminster，theGermananthem，whentheyareended，themastercastsbehindhim。Howsinksthesonginthewavesofmelodywhichtheuniversepoursoverhissoul！BeforethatgraciousInfinite，outofwhichhedrewthesefewstrokes，howmeantheylook，thoughthepraisesoftheworldattendthem。Fromthetriumphsofhisart，heturnswithdesiretothisgreaterdefeat。Letthoseadmirewhowill。Withsilentjoyheseeshimselftobecapableofabeautythateclipsesallwhichhishandshavedone，allwhichhumanhandshaveeverdone。Well，weareallthechildrenofgenius，thechildrenofvirtue，——andfeeltheirinspirationsinourhappierhours。Isnoteverymansometimesaradicalinpolitics？Menareconservativeswhentheyareleastvigorous，orwhentheyaremostluxurious。Theyareconservativesafterdinner，orbeforetakingtheirrest；whentheyaresick，oraged：inthemorning，orwhentheirintellectortheirconsciencehavebeenaroused，whentheyhearmusic，orwhentheyreadpoetry，theyareradicals。InthecircleoftherankesttoriesthatcouldbecollectedinEngland，OldorNew，letapowerfulandstimulatingintellect，amanofgreatheartandmind，actonthem，andveryquicklythesefrozenconservatorswillyieldtothefriendlyinfluence，thesehopelesswillbegintohope，thesehaterswillbegintolove，theseimmovablestatueswillbegintospinandrevolve。IcannothelprecallingthefineanecdotewhichWartonrelatesofBishopBerkeley，whenhewaspreparingtoleaveEngland，withhisplanofplantingthegospelamongtheAmericansavages。“LordBathursttoldme，thatthemembersoftheScriblerusclub，beingmetathishouseatdinner，theyagreedtorallyBerkeley，whowasalsohisguest，onhisschemeatBermudas。

Berkeley，havinglistenedtothemanylivelythingstheyhadtosay，beggedtobeheardinhisturn，anddisplayedhisplanwithsuchanastonishingandanimatingforceofeloquenceandenthusiasm，thattheywerestruckdumb，and，aftersomepause，roseupalltogetherwithearnestness，exclaiming，`Letussetoutwithhimimmediately。\'“

Meninallwaysarebetterthantheyseem。Theylikeflatteryforthemoment，buttheyknowthetruthfortheirown。Itisafoolishcowardicewhichkeepsusfromtrustingthem，andspeakingtothemrudetruth。Theyresentyourhonestyforaninstant，theywillthankyouforitalways。Whatisitweheartilywishofeachother？Isittobepleasedandflattered？No，buttobeconvictedandexposed，tobeshamedoutofournonsenseofallkinds，andmademenof，insteadofghostsandphantoms。Wearewearyofglidingghostlikethroughtheworld，whichisitselfsoslightandunreal。Wecraveasenseofreality，thoughitcomeinstrokesofpain。Iexplainso，——bythismanlikeloveoftruth，——thoseexcessesanderrorsintowhichsoulsofgreatvigor，butnotequalinsight，oftenfall。Theyfeelthepovertyatthebottomofalltheseemingaffluenceoftheworld。

Theyknowthespeedwithwhichtheycomestraightthroughthethinmasquerade，andconceiveadisgustattheindigenceofnature：

Rousseau，Mirabeau，CharlesFox，Napoleon，Byron，——andIcouldeasilyaddnamesnearerhome，ofragingriders，whodrivetheirsteedssohard，intheviolenceoflivingtoforgetitsillusion：

theywouldknowtheworst，andtreadthefloorsofhell。Theheroesofancientandmodernfame，Cimon，Themistocles，Alcibiades，Alexander，Caesar，havetreatedlifeandfortuneasagametobewellandskillfullyplayed，butthestakenottobesovalued，butthatanytime，itcouldbeheldasatriflelightasair，andthrownup。

Caesar，justbeforethebattleofPharsalia，discourseswiththeEgyptianpriest，concerningthefountainsoftheNile，andofferstoquitthearmy，theempire，andCleopatra，ifhewillshowhimthosemysterioussources。Thesamemagnanimityshowsitselfinoursocialrelations，inthepreference，namely，whicheachmangivestothesocietyofsuperiorsoverthatofhisequals。Allthatamanhas，willhegiveforrightrelationswithhismates。Allthathehas，willhegiveforanerectdemeanorineverycompanyandoneachoccasion。Heaimsatsuchthingsashisneighborsprize，andgiveshisdaysandnights，histalentsandhisheart，tostrikeagoodstroke，toacquithimselfinallmen\'ssightasaman。Theconsiderationofaneminentcitizen，ofanotedmerchant，ofamanofmarkinhisprofession；navalandmilitaryhonor，ageneral\'scommission，amarshal\'sbaton，aducalcoronet，thelaurelofpoets，and，anyhowprocured，theacknowledgmentofeminentmerit，havethislustreforeachcandidate，thattheyenablehimtowalkerectandunashamed，inthepresenceofsomepersons，beforewhomhefelthimselfinferior。Havingraisedhimselftothisrank，havingestablishedhisequalitywithclassafterclass，ofthosewithwhomhewouldlivewell，hestillfindscertainothers，beforewhomhecannotpossesshimself，becausetheyhavesomewhatfairer，somewhatgrander，somewhatpurer，whichextortshomageofhim。Ishisambitionpure？then，willhislaurelsandhispossessionsseemworthless：insteadofavoidingthesemenwhomakehisfinegolddim，hewillcastallbehindhim，andseektheirsocietyonly，wooandembracethishishumiliationandmortification，untilheshallknowwhyhiseyesinks，hisvoiceishusky，andhisbrillianttalentsareparalyzedinthispresence。Heissurethatthesoulwhichgivesthelietoallthings，willtellnone。Hisconstitutionwillnotmisleadhim。Ifitcannotcarryitselfasitought，highandunmatchableinthepresenceofanyman，ifthesecretoracleswhosewhispermakesthesweetnessanddignityofhislife，doherewithdrawandaccompany，himnolonger，itistimetoundervaluewhathehasvalued，todispossesshimselfofwhathehasacquired，andwithCaesartotakeinhishandthearmy，theempire，andCleopatra，andsay，`AllthesewillIrelinquish，ifyouwillshowmethefountainsoftheNile。\'Deartousarethosewholoveus，theswiftmomentswespendwiththemareacompensationforagreatdealofmiserytheyenlargeourlife；——butdearerarethosewhorejectusasunworthy，fortheyaddanotherlife：theybuildaheavenbeforeus，whereofwehadnotdreamed，andtherebysupplytousnewpowersoutoftherecessesofthespirit，andurgeustonewandunattemptedperformances。Aseverymanatheartwishesthebestandnotinferiorsociety，wishestobeconvictedofhiserror，andtocometohimself，sohewishesthatthesamehealingshouldnotstopinhisthought，butshouldpenetratehiswilloractivepower。Theselfishmansuffersmorefromhisselfishness，thanhefromwhomthatselfishnesswithholdssomeimportantbenefit。Whathemostwishesistobeliftedtosomehigherplatform，thathemayseebeyondhispresentfearthetransalpinegood，sothathisfear，hiscoldness，hiscustommaybebrokenuplikefragmentsofice，meltedandcarriedawayinthegreatstreamofgoodwill。Doyouaskmyaid？Ialsowishtobeabenefactor。Iwishmoretobeabenefactorandservant，thanyouwishtobeservedbyme，andsurelythegreatestgoodfortunethatcouldbefallme，ispreciselytobesomovedbyyouthatIshouldsay，`Takemeandallnine，andusemeandminefreelytoyourends\'！

for，Icouldnotsayit，otherwisethanbecauseagreatenlargementhadcometomyheartandmind，whichmademesuperiortomyfortunes。

Hereweareparalyzedwithfear；weholdontoourlittleproperties，houseandland，officeandmoney，forthebreadwhichtheyhaveinourexperienceyieldedus，althoughweconfess，thatourbeingdoesnotflowthroughthem。Wedesiretobemadegreat，wedesiretobetouchedwiththatfirewhichshallcommandthisicetostream，andmakeourexistenceabenefit。Ifthereforewestartobjectionstoyourproject，Ofriendoftheslave，orfriendofthepoor，oroftherace，understandwell，thatitisbecausewewishtodriveyoutodriveusintoyourmeasures。Wewishtohearourselvesconfuted。Wearehauntedwithabeliefthatyouhaveasecret，whichitwouldhighliestadvantageustolearn，andwewouldforceyoutoimpartittous，thoughitshouldbringustoprison，ortoworseextremity。

Nothingshallwarpmefromthebelief，thateverymanisaloveroftruth。Thereisnopurelie，nopuremalignityinnature。Theentertainmentofthepropositionofdepravityisthelastprofligacyandprofanation。Thereisnoskepticism，noatheismbutthat。Coulditbereceivedintocommonbelief，suicidewouldunpeopletheplanet。

Ithashadanametoliveinsomedogmatictheology，buteachman\'sinnocenceandhisreallikingofhisneighbor，havekeptitadeadletter。Irememberstandingatthepollsoneday，whentheangerofthepoliticalcontestgaveacertaingrimnesstothefacesoftheindependentelectors，andagoodmanatmysidelookingonthepeople，remarked，“Iamsatisfiedthatthelargestpartofthesemen，oneitherside，meantovoteright。“Isuppose，considerateobserverslookingatthemassesofmen，intheirblameless，andintheirequivocalactions，willassent，thatinspiteofselfishnessandfrivolity，thegeneralpurposeinthegreatnumberofpersonsisfidelity。Thereasonwhyanyonerefuseshisassenttoyouropinion，orhisaidtoyourbenevolentdesign，isinyou：herefusestoacceptyouasabringeroftruth，because，thoughyouthinkyouhaveit，hefeelsthatyouhaveitnot。Youhavenotgivenhimtheauthenticsign。IfitwereworthwhiletorunintodetailsthisgeneraldoctrineofthelatentbuteversolicitingSpirit，itwouldbeeasytoadduceillustrationinparticularsofaman\'sequalitytothechurch，ofhisequalitytothestate，andofhisequalitytoeveryotherman。Itisyetinallmen\'smemory，that，afewyearsago，theliberalchurchescomplained，thattheCalvinisticchurchdeniedtothemthenameofChristian。Ithinkthecomplaintwasconfession：areligiouschurchwouldnotcomplain。AreligiousmanlikeBehmen，Fox，orSwedenborg，isnotirritatedbywantingthesanctionofthechurch，butthechurchfeelstheaccusationofhispresenceandbelief。Itonlyneeds，thatajustmanshouldwalkinourstreets，tomakeitappearhowpitifulandinartificialacontrivanceisourlegislation。Themanwhosepartistaken，andwhodoesnotwaltforsocietyinanything，hasapowerwhichsocietycannotchoosebutfeel。Thefamiliarexperiment，calledthehydrostaticparadox，inwhichacapillarycolumnofwaterbalancestheocean，isasymboloftherelationofonemantothewholefamilyofmen。ThewiseDandini，onhearingthelivesofSocrates，Pythagoras，andDiogenesread，“judgedthemtobegreatmeneveryway，excepting，thattheyweretoomuchsubjectedtothereverenceofthelaws，whichtosecondandauthorize，truevirtuemustabatevery，muchofitsoriginalvigor。“Andasamanisequaltothechurch，andequaltothestate，soheisequaltoeveryotherman。Thedisparitiesofpowerinmenaresuperficial；andallfrankandsearchingconversation，inwhichamanlayshimselfopentohisbrother，apprizeseachoftheirradicalunity。Whentwopersonssitandconverseinathoroughlygoodunderstanding，theremarkissuretobemade，Seehowwehavedisputedaboutwords！Letaclear，apprehensivemind，suchaseverymanknowsamonghisfriends，conversewiththemostcommandingpoeticgenius，Ithink，itwouldappearthattherewasnoinequalitysuchasmenfancybetweenthem；thataperfectunderstanding，alikereceiving，alikeperceiving，abolisheddifferences，andthepoetwouldconfess，thathiscreativeimaginationgavehimnodeepadvantage，butonlythesuperficialone，thathecouldexpresshimself，andtheothercouldnot；thathisadvantagewasaknack，whichmightimposeonindolentmen，butcouldnotimposeonloversoftruth；fortheyknowthetaxoftalent，or，whatapriceofgreatnessthepowerofexpressiontoooftenpays。Ibelieveitistheconvictionofthepurestmen，thatthenetamountofmanandmandoesnotmuchvary。Eachisincomparablysuperiortohiscompanioninsomefaculty。Hiswantofskillinotherdirections，hasaddedtohisfitnessforhisownwork。Eachseemstohavesomecompensationyieldedtohimbyhisinfirmity，andeveryhindranceoperatesasaconcentrationofhisforce。Theseandthelikeexperiencesintimate，thatmanstandsinstrictconnexionwithahigherfactneveryetmanifested。Thereispoweroverandbehindus，andwearethechannelsofitscommunications。Weseektosaythusandso，andoverourheadsomespiritsits，whichcontradictswhatwesay。Wewouldpersuadeourfellowtothisorthat；anotherselfwithinoureyesdissuadeshim。Thatwhichwekeepback，thisreveals。Invainwecomposeourfacesandourwords；itholdsuncontrollablecommunicationwiththeenemy，andheanswerscivillytous，butbelievesthespirit。Weexclaim，`There\'satraitorinthehouse！\'

butatlastitappearsthatheisthetrueman，andIamthetraitor。

Thisopenchanneltothehighestlifeisthefirstandlastreality，sosubtle，soquiet，yetsotenacious，thatalthoughIhaveneverexpressedthetruth，andalthoughIhaveneverheardtheexpressionofitfromanyother，Iknowthatthewholetruthishereforme。

WhatifIcannotansweryourquestions？IamnotpainedthatI

cannotframeareplytothequestion，WhatistheoperationwecallProvidence？Thereliestheunspokenthing，present，omnipresent。

Everytimeweconverse，weseektotranslateitintospeech，butwhetherwehit，orwhetherwemiss，wehavethefact。Everydiscourseisanapproximateanswer：butitisofsmallconsequence，thatwedonotgetitintoverbsandnouns，whilstitabidesforcontemplationforever。Iftheauguriesoftheprophesyingheartshallmakethemselvesgoodintime，themanwhoshallbeborn，whoseadventmenandeventsprepareandforeshow，isonewhoshallenjoyhisconnexionwithahigherlife，withthemanwithinman；shalldestroydistrustbyhistrust，shallusehisnativebutforgottenmethods，shallnottakecounseloffleshandblood，butshallrelyontheLawaliveandbeautiful，whichworksoverourheadsandunderourfeet。Pitiless，itavailsitselfofoursuccess，whenweobeyit，andofourruin，whenwecontraveneit。Menareallsecretbelieversinit，else，thewordjusticewouldhavenomeaning：theybelievethatthebestisthetrue；thatrightisdoneatlast；orchaoswouldcome。Itrewardsactionsaftertheirnature，andnotafterthedesignoftheagent。`Work，\'itsaithtoman，`ineveryhour，paidorunpaid，seeonlythatthouwork，andthoucanstnotescapethereward：whetherthyworkbefineorcoarse，plantingcorn，orwritingepics，soonlyitbehonestwork，donetothineownapprobation，itshallearnarewardtothesensesaswellastothethought：nomatter，howoftendefeated，youareborntovictory。Therewardofathingwelldone，istohavedoneit。\'Assoonasamaniswontedtolookbeyondsurfaces，andtoseehowthishighwillprevailswithoutanexceptionoraninterval，hesettleshimselfintoserenity。Hecanalreadyrelyonthelawsofgravity，thateverystonewillfallwhereitisdue；thegoodglobeisfaithful，andcarriesussecurelythroughthecelestialspaces，anxiousorresigned：weneednotinterferetohelpiton，andhewilllearn，oneday，themildlessontheyteach，thatourownorbitisallourtask，andweneednotassisttheadministrationoftheuniverse。Donotbesoimpatienttosetthetownrightconcerningtheunfoundedpretensionsandthefalsereputationofcertainmenofstanding。Theyarelaboringhardertosetthetownrightconcerningthemselves，andwillcertainlysucceed。

Suppressforafewdaysyourcriticismontheinsufficiencyofthisorthatteacherorexperimenter，andhewillhavedemonstratedhisinsufficiencytoallmen\'seyes。Inlikemanner，letamanfallintothedivinecircuits，andheisenlarged。Obediencetohisgeniusistheonlyliberatinginfluence。Wewishtoescapefromsubjection，andasenseofinferiority，——andwemakeself-denyingordinances，wedrinkwater，weeatgrass，werefusethelaws，wegotojail：itisallinvain；onlybyobediencetohisgenius；onlybythefreestactivityinthewayconstitutionaltohim，doesanangelseemtoarisebeforeaman，andleadhimbythehandoutofallthewardsoftheprison。Thatwhichbefitsus，embosomedinbeautyandwonderasweare，ischeerfulnessandcourage，andtheendeavortorealizeouraspirations。Thelifeofmanisthetrueromance，which，whenitisvaliantlyconducted，willyieldtheimaginationahigherjoythananyfiction。Allaroundus，whatpowersarewrappedupunderthecoarsemattingsofcustom，andallwonderprevented。Itissowonderfultoourneurologiststhatamancanseewithouthiseyes，thatitdoesnotoccurtothem，thatitisjustaswonderful，thatheshouldseewiththem；andthatiseverthedifferencebetweenthewiseandtheunwise：thelatterwondersatwhatisunusual，thewisemanwondersattheusual。Shallnottheheartwhichhasreceivedsomuch，trustthePowerbywhichitlives？Mayitnotquitotherleadings，andlistentotheSoulthathasguideditsogently，andtaughtitsomuch，securethatthefuturewillbeworthyofthepast？