CHAPTERIX
　　INhumanaffairseverythinghappensbychance——thatis，indefianceofhumanideas，andwithoutanydirectionofanintelligence。Amanbathesinapool，acrocodileseizesandlacerateshisflesh。Ifanyonemaintainsthatanintelligencedirectedthatcruelty，Icanonlyreplythathismindisunderanillusion。Amaniscaughtbyarevolvingshaftandtorntopieces，limbfromlimb。Thereisnodirectingintelligenceinhumanaffairs，noprotection，andnoassistance。Thosewhoactuprightlyarenotrewarded，buttheyandtheirchildrenoftenwanderintheutmostindigence。Thosewhodoevilarenotalwayspunished，butfrequentlyflourishandhavehappychildren。Rewardsandpunishmentsarepurelyhumaninstitutions，andifgovernmentberelaxedtheyentirelydisappear。Nointelligencewhateverinterferesinhumanaffairs。Thereisamostsenselessbeliefnowprevalentthateffort，andwork，andcleverness，perseveranceandindustry，areinvariablysuccessful。Werethisthecase，everymanwouldenjoyacompetence，atleast，andbefreefromthecaresofmoney。Thisisanillusionalmostequaltothesuperstitionofadirectingintelligence，whicheveryfactandeveryconsiderationdisproves。
　　HowcanIadequatelyexpressmycontemptfortheassertionthatallthingsoccurforthebest，forawiseandbeneficentend，andareorderedbyahumaneintelligence!Itisthemostutterfalsehoodandacrimeagainstthehumanrace。EveninmybrieftimeIhavebeencontemporarywitheventsofthemosthorriblecharacter；aswhenthemothersintheBalkanscasttheirownchildrenfromthetraintoparishinthesnow；aswhenthePrincessAlicefoundered，andsixhundredhumanbeingsweresmotheredinfoulwater；aswhenthehecatomboftwothousandmaidenswereburnedinthechurchatSantiago；aswhenthemiserablecreaturestoreatthewallsoftheViennatheatre。Consideronlythefateswhichovertakethelittlechildren。Humansufferingissogreat，soendless，soawfulthatIcanhardlywriteofit。I
　　couldnotgointohospitalsandfaceit，assomedo，lestmymindshouldbetemporarilyovercome。Thewholeandtheworsttheworstpessimistcansayisfarbeneaththeleastparticleofthetruth，soimmenseisthemiseryofman。Itisthedutyofallrationalbeingstoacknowledgethetruth。Thereisnottheleasttraceofdirectingintelligenceinhumanaffairs。Thisisafoundationofhope，because，ifthepresentconditionofthingswereorderedbyasuperiorpower，therewouldbenopossibilityofimprovingitforthebetterinthespiteofthatpower。Acknowledgingthatnosuchdirectionexists，allthingsbecomeatonceplastictoourwill。
　　ThecreditgivenbytheunthinkingtothestatementthatallaffairsaredirectedhasbeenthebaneoftheworldsincethedaysoftheEgyptianpapyriandtheoriginofsuperstition。Solongasmenfirmlybelievethateverythingisfixedforthem，solongisprogressimpossible。Ifyouargueyourselfintothebeliefthatyoucannotwalktoaplace，youcannotwalkthere。
　　Butifyoustartyoucanwalkthereeasily。Anyonewhowillconsidertheaffairsoftheworldatlarge，andoftheindividual，willseethattheydonotproceedinthemannertheywoulddoforourownhappinessifamanofhumanebreadthofviewwereplacedattheirheadwithunlimitedpower，suchasiscreditedtotheintelligencewhichdoesnotexist。Amanofintellectandhumanitycouldcauseeverythingtohappeninaninfinitelysuperiormanner。CouldonelikethedivineJulius——humane，generous，broadestofview，deepthinking——wieldsuchpower，certainlyeveryhumanbeingwouldenjoyhappiness。
　　Butthatwhichisthoughtlesslycreditedtoanon—existentintelligenceshouldreallybeclaimedandexercisedbythehumanrace。Itisourselveswhoshoulddirectouraffairs，protectingourselvesfrompain，assistingourselves，succouringandrenderingourliveshappy。Wemustdoforourselveswhatsuperstitionhashithertosupposedanintelligencetodoforus。
　　Nothingwhatsoeverisdoneforus。Wearebornnaked，andnotevenprotectedbyashaggycovering。Nothingisdoneforus。
　　Thefirstandstrongestcommand（usingthewordtoconveytheideaonly）thatnature，theuniverse，ourownbodiesgive，istodoeverythingforourselves。Theseadoesnotmakeboatsforus，northeearthofherownwillbuildushospitals。Theinjuredliebleeding，andnoinvisiblepowerliftsthemup。Themaidenswerescorchedinthemidstoftheirdevotions，andtheirremainsmakeamoundhundredsofyardslong。
　　Theinfantsperishedinthesnow，andtheravenstoretheirlimbs。Thoseinthetheatrecrushedeachothertothedeath——agony。Forhowlong，forhowmanythousandyears，musttheearthandthesea，andthefireandtheair，utterthesethingsandforcethemuponusbeforetheyareadmittedintheirfullsignificance？
　　Thesethingsspeakwithavoiceofthunder。Fromeveryhumanbeingwhosebodyhasbeenrackedbypain；fromeveryhumanbeingwhohassufferedfromaccidentordisease；fromeveryhumanbeingdrowned，burned，orslainbynegligence，theregoesupacontinuallyincreasingcrylouderthanthethunder。
　　Anawe—inspiringcrydreadtolistento，whichnoonedareslistento，againstwhichearsarestoppedbythewaxofsuperstitionandthewaxofcriminalselfishness：——Thesemiseriesareyourdoing，becauseyouhavemindandthough，andcouldhavepreventedthem。Youcanpreventtheminthefuture。Youdonoteventry。
　　Itisperfectlycertainthatalldiseaseswithoutexceptionarepreventable，or，ifnotso，thattheycanbesoweakenedastodonoharm。Itisperfectlycertainthatallaccidentsarepreventable；thereisnotonethatdoesnotarisefromfollyornegligence。Allaccidentsarecrimes。Itisperfectlycertainthatallhumanbeingsarecapableofphysicalhappiness。Itisabsolutelyincontrovertiblethattheidealshapeofthehumanbeingisattainabletotheexclusionofdeformities。Itisincontrovertiblethatthereisnonecessityforanymantodiebutofoldaoe，andthatifdeathcannotbepreventedlifecanbeprolongedfarbeyondthefarthestnowknown。Itisincontrovertiblethatatthepresenttimenooneeverdiesofoldage。Notonesinglepersoneverdiesofoldage，orofnaturalcauses，forthereisnosuchthingasanaturalcauseofdeath。Theydieofdiseaseorweaknesswhichistheresultofdiseaseeitherinthemselvesorintheirancestors。Nosuchthingasoldageisknowntous。Wedonotevenknowwhatoldagewouldbelike，becausenooneeverlivestoit。
　　Ourbodiesarefullofunsuspectedflaws，handeddownitmaybeforthousandsofyears，anditisofthesethatwedie，andnotofnaturaldecay。Tilltheseareeliminated，orasnearlyeliminatedaspossible，weshallneverevenknowwhattrueoldageislike，norwhatthetruenaturallimitofhumanlifeis。
　　Theutmostlimitnowappearstobeaboutonehundredandfiveyears，butaseachpersonwhohasgotsofarhasdiedofweaknessesinheritedthroughthousandsofyears，itisimpossibletosaytowhatnumberofyearshewouldhavereachedinanaturalstate。Itseemsmorethanpossiblethattrueoldage——theslowandnaturaldecayofthebodyapartfrominheritedflaw——wouldbefreefromverymany，ifnotall，ofthepettymiserieswhichnowrenderextremeageadoubtfulblessing。Ifthelimbsgrewweakertheywouldnottotter；iftheteethdroppeditwouldnotbetillthelast；iftheeyeswerelessstrongtheywouldnotbequitedim；norwouldthemindloseitsmemory。
　　Butnowweseeeyesbecomedimandartificalaidneededincomparativeyouth，andteethdropoutinmerechildhood。
　　Manymenandwomenloseteethbeforetheyaretwenty。Thissimplefactisevidenceenoughofinheritedweaknessorflaw。Howcouldapersonwhohadlostteethbeforetwentybeeversaidtodieofoldage，thoughhediedatahundredandten？Deathisnotasupernaturalevent；itisaneventofthemostmaterialisticcharacter，andmaycertainlybepostponed，bytheunitedeffortsofthehumanrace，toaperiodfarmoredistantfromthedateofbirththanhasbeenthecaseduringthehistoricperiod。Thequestionhasoftenbeendebatedinmymindwhetherdeathisorisnotwhollypreventable；
　　whether，iftheentirehumanracewereunitedintheireffortstoeliminatecausesofdecay，deathmightnotalsobealtogethereliminated。
　　Ifweconsiderourselvesbytheanalogyofanimals，trees，andotherlivingcreatures，thereplyisthat，howeverpostponed，inlongprocessoftimethetissuesmustwither。Supposeanidealman，freefrominheritedflaw，thenthoughhisagemightbeprolongedtoseveralcenturies，intheendthenaturalbodymustwearout。Thatistruesofar。Butitsohappensthattheanalogyisnotjust，andthereforetheconclusionsitpointstoarenottenable。
　　Manisaltogetherdifferentfromeveryotheranimal，everyotherlivingcreatureknown。Heisdifferentinbody。Inhispurelynaturalstate——inhistruenaturalstate——heisimmeasurablystronger。Noanimalapproachestothephysicalperfectionofwhichamaniscapable。Hecanwearythestrongesthorse，hecanoutruntheswifteststag，hecanbearextremesofheatandcoldhungerandthirst，whichwouldexterminateeveryknownlivingthing。
　　Merelyinbodilystrengthheissuperiortoall。Thestoriesofantiquity，whichweredeemedfables，maybefableshistorically，butsearchhasshownthattheyarenotintrinsicallyfables。ManoffleshandbloodiscapableofallthatAjax，allthatHerculesdid。Featsinmoderndayshavesurpassedthese，aswhenWebbswamtheChannel；mythologycontainsnothingequaltothat。Thedifferencedoesnotendhere。Animalsthinktoacertainextent，butiftheirconceptionsbeeversoclever，nothavinghandstheycannotexecutethem。
　　Imyselfmaintainthatthemindofmanispracticallyinfinite。
　　Itcanunderstandanythingbroughtbeforeit。Ithasnotthepowerofitsownmotiontobringeverythingbeforeit，butwhenanythingisbroughtitisunderstood。Itislikesittinginaroomwithonewindow；youcannotcompeleverythingtopassthewindow，butwhateverdoespassisseen。Itislikeamagnifyingglass，whichmagnifiesandexplainseverythingbroughtintoitsfocus。Themindofmanisinfinite。Beyondthis，manhasasoul。Idonotusethiswordinthecommonsensewhichcircumstanceshavegiventoit。Iuseitastheonlytermtoexpressthatinnerconsciousnesswhichaspires。Thesebriefreasonsshowthattheanalogyisimperfect，andthattherefore，althoughanidealanimal——ahorse，adog，alion——mustdie，itdoesnotfollowthatanidealmanmust。Hehasabodypossessedofexceptionalrecuperativepowers，which，underproperconditions，continuallyrepairsitself。Hehasamindbywhichhecanselectremedies，andselecthiscourseandcarefullyrestorethewasteoftissue。Hehasasoul，asyet，itseemstome，lyinginabeyance，bytheaidofwhichhemayyetdiscoverthingsnowdeemedsupernatural。
　　ConsideringthesethingsIamobligedbyfactsandincontrovert—ibleargumenttoconcludethatdeathisnotinevitabletotheidealman。Heisshapedforaspeciesofphysicalimmortality。Thebeautyofformoftheidealhumanbeingindicatesimmortality——thecontour，thecurve，theoutlineanswertotheideaoflife。Inthecourseofagesunitedeffortlongcontinuedmayeliminatethosecausesofdecaywhichhavegrownupinagespast，andafterthathasbeendoneadvancefartherandimprovethenaturalstate。Asariverbringsdownsuspendedparticlesofsand，anddepositingthematitsmouthformsadeltaandanewcountry；astheairandtherainandtheheatofthesundesiccatetherocksandslowlyweardownmountainsintosand，sotheunitedactionofthehumanrace，continuedthroughcenturies，maybuilduptheidealmanandwoman。
　　Eachindividuallabouringinhisdaythroughgeologicaltimeinfrontmustproduceaneffect。TheinstanceofSparta，wheresomuchwasdoneinafewcenturies，isalmostproofofit。
　　Thetruthis，wediethroughourancestors；wearemurderedbyourancestors。Theirdeadhandsstretchforthfromthetombanddragusdowntotheirmoulderingbones。Weinourturnarenowatthismomentpreparingdeathforourunbornposterity。Thisdaythosethatdiedonotdieinthesenseofoldage，theyareslain。Nothinghasbeenaccumulatedforourbenefitinagespast。Allthelabourandthetoilofsomanymillionscontinuedthroughsuchvistasoftime，downtothosemillionswhoatthishourarerushingtoandfroinLondon，hasaccumulatednothingforus。Nothingforourgood。Theonlythingsthathavebeenstoreduphavebeenforourevilanddestruction，diseasesandweaknessescrossedandcultivatedandrenderedalmostpartandparcelofourverybones。Nowletusbegintorollbackthetideofdeath，andtosetourfacessteadilytoafutureoflife。Itshouldbethesacredandsworndutyofeveryone，onceatleastduringlifetime，todosomethinginpersontowardsthisend。Itwouldbeadelightandpleasuretometodosomethingeveryday，wereiteversominute。Toreflectthatanotherhumanbeing，ifatadistanceoftenthousandyearsfromtheyear1883，wouldenjoyonehour’smorelife，inthesenseoffulnessoflife，inconsequenceofanythingIhaddoneinmylittlespan，wouldbetomeapeaceofsoul。
　　CHAPTERX
　　UNITEDeffortthroughgeologicaltimeinfrontisbutthebeginningofanidea。Iamconvincedthatmuchmorecanbedone，andthatthelengthoftimemaybealmostimmeasurablyshortened。Thegeneralprinciplesthatarenowinoperationareofthesimplestandmostelementarycharacter，yettheyhavealreadymadeconsiderabledifference。Iamnotcontentwiththese。Theremustbemuchmore——theremustbethingswhichareatpresentunknownbywhoseaidadvancemaybemade。Researchproceedsuponthesameoldlinesandrunsintheancientgrooves。Further，itisrestrictedbytheultra—practicalviewswhicharealonedeemedreasonable。Butthereshouldbenolimitplacedonthemind。Thepurelyidealisasworthyofpursuitasthepractical，andthemindisnottobepinnedtodogmasofscienceanymorethantodogmasofsuperstition。Mostinjuriousofallisthecontinuouscirclingonthesamepath，anditisfromthisthatIwishtofreemymind。
　　Thepursuitoftheory——theorganonofpurethought——hasledincidentallytogreatdiscoveries，andformyselfIamconvinceditisofthehighestvalue。Theprocessofexperimenthasproducedmuch，andhasappliedwhatwaspreviouslyfound。
　　Empiricismisworthyofcarefulre—workingout，foritisafactthatmostthingsaremoreorlessempirical，especiallyinmedicine。Denialmaybegiventothisstatement，neverthelessitistrue，andIhavehadpracticalexemplificationofitinmyownexperience。Observationisperhapsmorepowerfulanorganonthaneitherexperimentorempiricism。Iftheeyeisalwayswatching，andthemindonthealert，ultimatelychancesuppliesthesolution。
　　ThedifficultiesIhaveencounteredhavegenerallybeensolvedbychanceinthisway。WhenItookaninterestinarchaeologicalmatters——aninterestlongsinceextinct——I
　　consideredthatapartofanarmyknowntohavemarchedinacertaindirectionduringtheCivilWarmusthavevisitedatowninwhichIwasinterested。ButIexhaustedeverymodeofresearchinvain；therewasnoevidenceofit。Iftheknowledgehadeverexistedithaddroppedagain。Someyearsafterwards，whenmyinteresthadceased，andIhadputsuchinquiriesforeveraside（beinguseless，liketheEgyptianpapyri），IwasreadingintheBritishMuseum。PresentlyIreturnedmybooktotheshelf，andthenslowlywalkedalongthecurvingwalllinedwithvolumes，lookingtoseeifIcouldlightonanythingtoamuseme。Itookoutavolumeforaglance；itopenedofitselfatacertainpage，andtherewastheinformationIhadsolongsought——areprintofanoldpamphletdescribingthevisitofthearmytothetownintheCivilWar。Sochanceansweredthequestioninthecourseoftime。
　　AndIthinkthat，seeinghowgreatapartchanceplaysinhumanaffairs，itisessentialthatstudyshouldbemadeofchance；itseemstomethatanorganonfromexperiment。Thenthereistheinnerconsciousness——thepsyche——thathasneveryetbeenbroughttobearuponlifeanditsquestions。
　　Besideswhichthereisasuper—sensuousreason。OftenIhavearguedwithmyselfthatsuchandsuchacoursewastherightonetofollow，whileintheintervalsofthinkingaboutitanundercurrentofunconsciousimpulsehasdesiredmetodothereverseortoremaininactive。
　　Sometimesithashappenedthatthesupersensuousreasoninghasbeencorrect，andthemostfaultlessargumentwrong。Ipresumethissupersensuousreasoning，preceedingindependentlyinthemind，arisesfrompreceptionstoodelicateforanalysis。FromtheseconsiderationsaloneIamconvincedthat，bytheaidofideasyettobediscovered，thegeologicaltimeinfrontmaybeimmeasurablyshortened。Thesemodesofresearcharenotall。Thepsyche——thesoulinme——tellsmethatthereismuchmore，thatthesearemerelybeginningsofthecrudestkind。
　　Ifullyrecognisethepracticaldifficultyarisingfromtheingrained，hereditary，andunconsciousselfishnesswhichbeganbeforehistory，andhasbeencrossedandcultivatedfortwelvethousandyearssince。Thisrendersmelesssanguineofunitedeffortthroughgeologicaltimeahead，unlesssomeideacanbeformedtogiveastrongerimpulseeventhanselfishness，orunlesstheselfishnesscanbeutilised。Thecomplacencywithwhichthemassofpeoplegoabouttheirdailytask，absolutelyindifferenttoallotherconsiderations，isappallinginitsconcentratedstolidity。Theydonotintendwrong——theyintendrightly：intruth，theyworkagainsttheentirehumanrace。
　　Soweddedandsoconfirmedistheworldinitsnarrowgrooveofself，sostolidandsocomplacentundertheimmenseweightofmisery，socalloustoitsownpossibilities，andsogrowntoitschains，thatIalmostdespairtoseeitawakened。Cemeteriesareoftenplacedonhillsides，andthewhitestonesarevisiblefaroff。Ifthewholeofthedeadinahillsidecemeterywerecalledupalivefromtheirtombs，andwalkedforthdownintothevalley，itwouldnotrousethemassofpeoplefromthedensepyramidofstoliditywhichpressesonthem。
　　Therewouldbegapingandmarvellingandrushingabout，andwhatthen？Inaweekortwotheploughmanwouldsettledowntohisplough，thecarpentertohisbench，thesmithtohisanvil，themerchanttohismoney，andthedeadcometolifewouldbeutterlyforgotten。Nomatterinwhatmannerthepossibilitiesofhumanlifeareputbeforetheworld，thecrowdcontinuesasstolidasbefore。Thereforenothinghithertodone，orsuggested，orthoughtof，isofmuchavail；butthisfactinnodegreestaysmefromthesearch。Onthecontrary，thelesstherehasbeenaccomplishedthemoreanxiousIam；thetruthitteachesisthatthemindmustbeliftedoutofitsoldgroovesbeforeanythingwillbecertainlybegun。Erasethepastfromthemind——standfacetofacewiththerealnow——andworkoutallanew。Callthesoultoourassistance；thesoultellsmethatoutsidealltheideasthathaveyetoccurredthereareothers，wholecirclesofothers。
　　IrememberacameoofAugustusCaesar——theheadoftheemperorisgravenindelicatelines，andshowsthemostexquisiteproportions。Itisabalancedhead，aheadadjustedtothecalmestintellect。Thatheadwhenitwaslivingcontainedacircleofideas，thelargest，thewidest，themostprofoundcurrentinhistime。Allthatphilosophyhadtaught，allthatpractice，experiment，andempiricismhaddiscovered，wasfamiliartohim。TherewasnoknowledgeintheancientworldbutwhatwasaccessibletotheEmperorofRome。Nowatthisdaythereareamongstusheadsasfinelyproportionedasthatcutoutinthecameo。Thoughtheselivingmendonotpossessarbitrarypower，theadvantagesofarbitrarypower——asfarasknowledgeisconcerned——aresecuredtothembyeducation，bytheprinting—press，andthefacilitiesofourera。Itisreasonabletoimagineaheadofourtimefilledwiththelargest，thewidest，themostprofoundideascurrentintheage。
　　AugustusCaesar，howevergreathisintellect，couldnotinthatbalancedheadhavepossessedtheideasfamiliarenoughtothelivingheadofthisday。AswehaveacircleofideasunknowntoAugustusCaesar，soIarguetherearewholecirclesofideasunknowntous。ItisthesethatIamsoearnestlydesirousofdiscovering。
　　Fornothinghasasyetbeenofanyvalue，howevergooditsintent。Thereisnovirtue，orreputedvirtue，whichhasnotbeenrigidlypursued，andthingshaveremainedasbefore。Menandwomenhavepractisedself—denial，andtowhatend？Theyhavecompelledthemselvestosufferhungerandthirst；invain。Theyhaveclothedthemselvesinsackclothandlaceratedtheflesh。
　　Theyhavemutilatedthemselves。Somehavebeenscrupuloustobathe，andsomehavebeenscrupuloustocaketheirbodieswiththefoulnessofyears。Manyhavedevotedtheirlivestoassistothersinsicknessorpoverty。Chastityhasbeenfaithfullyobserved，chastitybothofbodyandmind。
　　Self—examinationhasbeenpursuedtillitendedinaspeciesofsacredinsanity，andallthesehavebeenofnomorevaluethanthetorturesundergonebytheIndianmendicantwhohangshimselfupbyahookthroughhisback。Allthesearepurefolly。
　　Asceticismhasnotimprovedtheform，orthephysicalwell—being，ortheheartofanyhumanbeing。Onthecontrary，thehetairaisoftenthewarmestheartedandthemostgenerous。Casuistryandself—examinationareperhapsthemostinjuriousofallthevirtues，utterlydestroyingindependenceofmind。Self—denialhashadnoresult，andalltheself—tortureofcenturieshasbeenthrownaway。Livesspentindoinggoodhavebeenlivesnoblywasted。Everythingisinvain。Thecircleofideaswepossessistoolimitedtoaidus。WeneedideasasfaroutsideourcircleasoursareoutsidethosethatwereponderedoverbyAugustusCaesar。
　　Themostextraordinaryspectacle，asitseemstome，isthevastexpenditureoflabourandtimewastedinobtainingmeresubsistence。Asaman，inhislifetime，workshardandsavesmoney，thathischildrenmaybefreefromthecaresofpenuryandmayatleasthavesufficienttoeat，drink，clothe，androofthem，sothegenerationsthatprecededusmight，hadtheysochosen，haveprovidedforoursubsistence。Thelabourandtimeoftengenerations，properlydirected，wouldsustainahundredgenerationssucceedingtothem，andthat，too，withsolittleself—denialonthepartoftheprovidersastobescarcelyfelt。Somennow，inthisgeneration，oughtclearlytobelayingupastore，or，whatisstillmorepowerful，arrangingandorganisingthatthegenerationswhichfollowmayenjoycomparativefreedomfromuselesslabour。Insteadofwhich，withtranscendentimprovidence，theworldworksonlyforto—day，astheworldworkedtwelvethousandyearsago，andourchildren’schildrenwillstillhavetotoilandslaveforthebarenecessitiesoflife。Thisis，indeedanextraordinaryspectacle。
　　Thattwelvethousandwrittenyearsshouldhaveelapsed，andthehumanrace——abletoreasonandtothink，andeasilycapableofcombinationinimmensearmiesforitsowndestruction——shouldstilllivefromhandtomouth，likecattleandsheep，liketheanimalsofthefieldandthebirdsofthewoods；thatthereshouldnotevenberoofstocoverthechildrenborn，unlessthosechildrenlabourandexpendtheirtimetopayforthem；thatthereshouldnotbeclothes，unless，again，timeandlabourareexpendedtoprocurethem；thatthereshouldnotbeevenfoodforthechildrenofthehumanrace，excepttheylabourastheirfathersdidtwelvethousandyearsago；thatevenwatershouldscarcebeaccessibletothem，unlesspaidforbylabour!IntwelvethousandwrittenyearstheworldhasnotyetbuiltitselfaHouse，norfilledaGranary，nororganiseditselfforitsowncomfort。ItissomarvellousIcannotexpressthewonderwithwhichitfillsme。Andmorewonderfulstill，ifthatcouldbe，therearepeoplesoinfatuated，or，rather，solimitedofview，thattheygloryinthisstateofthings，declaringthatworkisthemainobjectofman’sexistence——workforsubsistence——
　　andgloryingintheirwastedtime。Toarguewithsuchisimpossible；toleavethemistheonlyresource。
　　Thisourearththisdayproducessufficientforourexistence。
　　Thisourearthproducesnotonlyasufficiency，butasuperabundance，andpoursacornucopiaofgoodthingsdownuponus。Further，itproducessufficientforstoresandgranariestobefilledtotherooftreeforyearsahead。Iverilybelievethattheearthinoneyearproducesenoughfoodtolastforthirty。Why，then，havewenotenough？Whydopeopledieofstarvation，orleadamiserableexistenceonthevergeofit？
　　Whyhavemillionsuponmillionstotoilfrommorningtoeveningjusttogainamerecrustofbread？BecauseoftheabsolutelackofOrganisationbywhichsuchlabourshouldproduceitseffect，theabsolutelackofdistribution，theabsolutelackevenoftheveryideathatsuchthingsarepossible。
　　Nay，eventomentionsuchthings，tosaythattheyarepossible，iscriminalwithmany。Madnesscouldhardlygofarther。
　　ThatselfishnesshasalltodowithitIentirelydeny。Thehumanraceforagesuponageshasbeenenslavedbyignoranceandbyinterestedpersonswhoseobjectithasbeentoconfinethemindsofmen，therebydoingmoreinjurythanifwithinfectedhandstheypurposelyimposeddiseaseontheheadsofthepeople。Almostworsethanthese，andatthepresentdayasinjurious，arethosepersonsincessantlydeclaring，teaching，andimpressinguponallthattoworkisman’shighestcondition。
　　Thisfalsehoodistheinterestedsuperstitionofanageinfatuatedwithmoney，whichhavingaccumulateditcannotevenexpenditinpageantry。Itisafalsehoodpropagatedforthedoubtfulbenefitoftwoorthreeoutoftenthousand，Itisthelieofamoralityfoundedonmoneyonly，andutterlyoutsideandhavingnoassociationwhateverwiththehumanbeinginitself。
　　Manysuperstitionshavebeengotridofinthesedays；timeitisthatthis，thelastandworst，wereeradicated。
　　Atthishour，outofthirty—fourmillionswhoinhabitthiscountry，two—thirds——saytwenty—twomillions——livewithinthirtyyearsofthatabominableinstitutionthepoorhouse。Thatanyhumanbeingshoulddaretoapplytoanothertheepithet"pauper"is，tome，thegreatest，thevilest，themostunpardonablecrimethatcouldbecommitted。Eachhumanbeing，bymerebirth，hasabirthrightinthisearthandallitsproductions；andiftheydonotreceiveit，thenitistheywhoareinjured，anditisnotthe"pauper"——oh，inexpressiblywickedword!——itisthewell—to—do，whoarethecriminalclasses。
　　Itmattersnotintheleastifthepoorbeimprovident，ordrunken，orevilinanyway。Foodanddrink，roofandclothes，aretheinalienablerightofeverychildbornintothelight。Iftheworlddoesnotprovideitfreely——notasagrudginggiftbutasaright，asasonofthehousesitsdowntobreakfast——thenistheworldmad。Buttheworldisnotmad，onlyinignorance——aninterestedignorance，keptupbystrenuousexertions，fromwhichinfernaldarknessitwill，incourseoftime，emerge，marvellingatthepastasamanwondersatandgloriesinthelightwhohasescapedfromblindness。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　Thisourearthproducesnotonlyasufficiencyasuperabundance，butinoneyearpoursacornucopiaofgoodthingsforth，enoughtofillusformanyyearsinsuccession。Theonlyreasonwedonotenjoyitisthewantofrationalorganisation。Iknow，ofcourse，andallwhothinkknow，thatsomelabourorsupervisionwillalwaysnecessary，sincetheploughmusttravelthefurrowandtheseedmustmustbesown；butImaintainthatatenth，nay，ahundredth，partofthelabourandslaverynowgonethroughwillbesufficient，andthatinthecourseoftime，asorganisationperfectsitselfanddiscoveriesadvance，eventhatpartwilldiminish。Fortheriseandfallofthetidesalonefurnishforthsufficientpowertodoautomaticallyallthelabourthatisdoneontheearth。Isidealman，then，tobeidle？I
　　answerthat，ifso，Iseenowrong，butagreatgood。Idenyaltogetherthatidlenessisanevil，orthatitproducesevil，andIamwellawarewhytheinterestedaresobitteragainstidleness——namely，becauseitgivestimeforthought，andifmenhadtimetothinktheirreignwouldcometoanend。
　　Idleness——thatis，theabsenceofthenecessitytoworkforsubsistence——isagreatgood。
　　Ihopesucceedinggenerationswillbeabletobeideal。Ihopethatnine—tenthsoftheirtimewillbeleisuretime；thattheymayenjoytheirdays，andtheearth，andthebeautyofthisbeautifulworld；thattheymayrestbytheseaanddream；thattheymaydanceandsing，andeatanddrink。
　　Iwillworktowardsthatendwithallmyheart。Ifemploymenttheymusthave——andtherestlessnessofthemindwillinsurethatsomewillbefollowed——thentheywillfindscopeenoughintheperfectionoftheirphysicalframes，intheexpansionofthemind，andintheenlargementofthesoul。Theyshallnotworkforbread，butfortheirsouls。IamwillingtodivideandshareallIshalleverhaveforthispurpose，thoughIthinktheendwillratherbegainedbyorganisationthanbysharingalone。
　　Inthesematerialthings，too，Ithinkthatwerequireanothercircleofideas，andIbelievethatsuchideasarepossible，and，inamannerofspeaking，exist。Letmeexhorteveryonetodotheirutmosttothinkoutsideandbeyondourpresentcircleofideas。Foreveryideagainedisahundredyearsofslaveryremitted。EvenwiththeideaoforganisationwhichpromisesmostIamnotsatisfied，butendeavourtogetbeyondandoutsideit，sothatthetimenownecessarymaybeshortened。Besideswhich，Iseethatmanyofourdifficultiesarisefromobscureandremotecauses——obscureliketheshapeofbones，forwhosestrangecurvesthereisnofamiliarterm。Wemustendeavourtounderstandthecrookednessandunfamiliarcurvesoftheconditionsoflife。Beyondthatstillthereareotherideas。Never，neverrestcontentedwithanycircleofideas，butalwaysbecertainthatawideroneisstillpossible。Formythoughtislikeahyperbolathatcontinuallywidensascending。
　　Forgriefthereisnoknownconsolation。Itisuselesstofillourheartswithbubbles。Alovedonegoneisgone，andastothefuture——evenifthereisafuture——itisunknown。Toassureourselvesotherwiseistosoothethemindwithillusions；thebitternessofitisinconsolable。Thesentimentsoftrustchippedoutontombstonesaretouchinginstancesoftheinnategoodnessofthehumanheart，whichnaturallylongsforgood，andsighsitselftosleepinthehopethat，ifparted，thepartingisforthebenefitofthosethataregone。Buttheseinscriptionsarealsoawfulinstancesofthedeepintellectualdarknesswhichpressesstillonthemindsofmen。Theleastthoughterasesthem。Thereisnoconsolation。Thereisnorelief。
　　Thereisnohopecertain；thewholesystemisamereillusion。I，whohopesomuch，andamsoraptupinthesoul，knowfullwellthatthereisnocertainty。
　　Thetombcriesaloudtous——itsdeadsilencepressesonthedrumoftheearlikethunder，saying，Lookatthis，anderaseyourillusions；nowknowtheextremevalueofhumanlife；reflectonthisandstrewhumanlifewithflowers；saveeveryhourforthesunshine；letyourlabourbesoorderedthatinfuturetimesthelovedonesmaydwelllongerwiththosewholovethem；openyourminds；exaltyoursouls；widenthesympathiesofyourhearts；
　　facethethingsthatarenowasyouwillfacetherealityofdeath；makejoyrealnowtothoseyoulove，andhelpforwardthejoyofthoseyettobeborn。Letthesefactsforcethemindandthesoultotheincreaseofthought，andtheconsequentremissionofmisery；sothatthosewhosetimeitistodiemayhaveenjoyedallthatispossibleinlife。Liftupyourmindandseenowinthisbitternessofparting，inthisabsenceofcertainty，thefactthatthereisnodirectingintelligence；rememberthatthisdeathisnotofoldage，whichnoonelivingintheworldhaseverseen；rememberthatoldageispossible，andperhapsevenmorethanoldage；andbeyondtheseearthlythings—what？Noneknow。Butletus，turningawayfromtheillusionofadirectingintelligence，lookearnestlyforsomethingbetterthanagod，seekforsomethinghigherthanprayer，andliftoursoulstobewiththemorethanimmortalnow。
　　Ariverrunsitselfclearduringthenight，andinsleepthoughtbecomespellucid。Allthehurryingtoandfro，theunrestandstress，theagitationandconfusionsubside。Likeasweetpurespring，thoughtpoursforthtomeetthelight，andisilluminedtoitsdepths。Thedawnatmywindowevercausesadesireforlargerthought，therecognitionofthelightatthemomentofwakingkindlesafreshthewishforabroaddayofthemind。Thereisacertaintythatthereareyetideasfurther，andgreater——thatthereisstillalimitlessbeyond。Iknowatthatmomentthatthereisnolimittothethingsthatmaybeyetinmaterialandtangibleshapebesidestheimmaterialperceptionsofthesoul。Thedimwhitelightofthedawnspeaksit。Thisprophetwhichhascomewithitswonderstothebedsideofeveryhumanbeingforsomanythousandsofyearsfacesmeonceagainwiththeupheldfingeroflight。Whereisthelimittothatphysicalsign？
　　>Fromspacetothesky，fromtheskytothehills，andthesea；
　　toeverybladeofgrass，toeveryleaf，tothesmallestinsect，tothemillionwavesofocean。Yetthisearthitselfappearsbutamoteinthatsunbeambywhichweareconsciousofonenarrowstreakintheabyss。Abeamcrossesmysilentchamberfromthewindow，andatomsarevisibleinit；abeamslantsbetweenthefir—trees，andparticlesriseandfallwithin，andcrossitwhiletheaireachsideseemsvoid。Throughtheheavensabeamslants，andweareawareofthestar—stratuminwhichourearthmoves。Butwhatmaybewithoutthatstratum？Certainlyitisnotavoid。Thislighttellsusmuch，butIthinkinthecourseoftimeyetmoredelicateandsubtlemediumsthanlightmaybefound，andthroughtheseweshallseeintotheshadowsofthesky。Whenwillitbepossibletobecertainthatthecapacityofasingleatomhasbeenexhausted？Atanymomentsomefortunateincidentmayrevealafreshpower。Onebyonethepowersoflighthavebeenunfolded。
　　Afterthousandsofyearsthetelescopeopenedthestars，theprismanalysedthesubstanceofthesun，themicroscopeshowedtheminutestructureoftherocksandthetissuesoflivingbodies。ThewingedmenontheAssyrianbas—reliefs，thegodsoftheNile，thechariot—borneimmortalsofOlympus，notthegreatestofimaginedbeingseverpossessedinfanciedattributesone—tenththepoweroflight。Astheswallowstwitter，thedimwhitefingerappearsatmywindowfullofwonders，suchasallthewisemenintwelvethousandprecedentyearsneverevenhopedtoconceive。Butthisisnotall——lightisnotall；lightconcealsmorethanitreveals；lightisthedarkestshadowofthesky；besideslighttherearemanyothermediumsyettobeexplored。Forthousandsofyearsthesunbeamspouredontheearth，fullasnowofmessages，andlightisnotahiddenthingtobesearchedoutwithdifficulty。FullinthefacesofmentherayscamewiththeirintelligencefromthesunwhenthepapyriwerepaintedbesidetheancientNile，buttheywerenotunderstood。
　　Thishour，raysorundulationsofmoresubtlemediumsaredoubtlesspouringonusoverthewideearth，unrecognised，andfullofmessagesandintelligencefromtheunseen。Ofthesewearethisdayasignorantasthosewhopaintedthepapyriwereoflight。Thereisaninfinityofknowledgeyettobeknown，andbeyondthataninfinityofthought。Nomentalinstrumentevenhasyetbeeninventedbywhichresearchescanbecarrieddirecttotheobject。Whateverhasbeenfoundhasbeendiscoveredbyfortunateaccident；inlookingforonethinganotherhasbeenchancedon。Areasoningprocesshasyettobeinventedbywhichtogostraighttothedesiredend。Fornowtheslightestparticleisenoughtothrowthesearchaside，andthemostminutecircumstancesufficienttoconcealobviousandbrilliantlyshiningtruths。
　　OnesummereveningsittingbymywindowIwatchedforthefirststartoappear，knowingthepositionofthebrightestinthesouthernsky。Theduskcameon，grewdeeper，butthestardidnotshine。By—and—by，otherstarslessbrightappeared，sothatitcouldnotbethesunsetwhichobscuredtheexpectedone。Finally，IconsideredthatImusthavemistakenitsposition，whensuddenlyapuffofairblewthroughthebranchofapear—treewhichoverhungthewindow，aleafmoved，andtherewasthestarbehindtheleaf。
　　Atpresenttheendeavourtomakediscoveriesislikegazingattheskyupthroughtheboughsofanoak。Hereabeautifulstarshinesclearly；hereaconstellationishiddenbyabranch；auniversebyaleaf。Somementalinstrumentororganonisrequiredtoenableustodistinguishbetweentheleafwhichmayberemovedandarealvoid；whentoceasetolookinonedirection，andtoworkinanother。ManymenofbroadbrowandgreatintellectlivedinthedaysofancientGreece，butforlackoftheaccidentofalens，andofknowingthewaytouseaprism，theycouldbutconjectureimperfectly。IaminexactlythepositiontheywerewhenIlookbeyondlight。OutsidemypresentknowledgeIamexactlyintheircondition。Ifeelthatthereareinfinitiestobeknown，buttheyarehiddenbyaleaf。Ifanyonesaystohimselfthatthetelescope，andthemicroscope，theprism，andotherdiscoverieshavemadeallplain，thenheisintheattitudeofthoseancientpriestswhoworshippedthescarabaeusorbeetle。
　　So，too，itiswiththought；outsideourpresentcircleofideasIbelievethereisaninfinityofidea。Allthisthathasbeeneffectedwithlighthasbeendonebybitsofglass——merebitsofshapedglass，quicklybroken，andmadeofflint，sothatbytherudeflintoursubtlestideasaregained。
　　Couldweemploytheoceanasalens，andforcetruthfromthesky，eventhenIthinktherewouldbemuchmorebeyond。
　　Naturalthingsareknowntousonlyundertwoconditions——matterandforce，ormatterandmotion。Athird，afourth，afifth——noonecansayhowmanyconditions——mayexistintheultra—stellarspace，andsuchotherconditionsmayequallyexistaboutusnowunsuspected。Somethingwhichisneithermatternorforceisdifficulttoconceive，yet，Ithink，itiscertainthatthereareotherconditions。Whenthemindsucceedsinenteringonawiderseries，orcircleofideas，otherconditionswouldappearnaturalenough。InthiseffortupwardsIclaimtheassistanceofthesoul——themindofthemind。Theeyesees，theminddeliberatesonwhatitsees，thesoulunderstandstheoperationofthemind。Beforeabridgeisbuilt，orastructureerected，oraninteroceaniccanalmade，theremustbeaplan，andbeforeaplanthethoughtinthemind。Sothatitiscorrecttosaythemindborestunnelsthroughthemountains，bridgestherivers，andconstructstheengineswhicharetheprideoftheworld。
　　Thisisawonderfultool，butitiscapableofworkyetmorewonderfulintheexplorationoftheheavens。Nowthesoulisthemindofthemind。Itcanbuildandconstructandlookbeyondandpenetratespace，andcreate。Itisthekeenest，thesharpesttoolpossessedbyman。Butwhatwouldbesaidifacarpenterabouttocommenceapieceofworkexaminedhistoolsanddeliberatelycastawaythatwiththefinestedge？Suchistheconductofthosewhorejecttheinnermindorpsychealtogether。Sogreatisthevalueofthesoulthatitseemstome，ifthesoullivedandreceiveditsaspirationsitwouldnotmatterifthematerialuniversemeltedawayassnow。Manyturnasidetheinstantthesoulismentioned，andIsympathisewiththeminonesense；theyfearlest，iftheyacknowledgeit，theywillbefetteredbymediaevalconditions。Mycontentionisthattherestrictionsofthemediaevalerashouldentirelybecastintooblivion，butthesoulrecognisedandemployed。Insteadofslurringoverthesoul，Idesiretoseeitatitshighestperfection。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　SUBTLEasthemindis，itcaneffectlittlewithoutknowledge。
　　Itcannotconstructabridge，orabuilding，ormakeacanal，orworkaprobleminalgebra，unlessitisprovidedwithinformation。Thisisobvious，andyetsomesay，Whatcanyoueffectbythesoul？Ireplybecauseithashadnoemployment。Mediaevalconditionskeptitinslumber：sciencerefusestoacceptit。Wearetaughttoemployourminds，andfurnishedwithmaterials。Themindhasitslogicandexerciseofgeometry，andthusassistedbringsagreatforcetothesolutionofproblems。Thesoulremainsuntaught，andcaneffectlittle。
　　Iconsiderthatthehighestpurposeofstudyistheeducationofthesoulorpsyche。Itissaidthatthereisnoproofoftheexistenceofthesoul，but，arguingonthesamegrounds，thereisnoproofoftheexistenceofthemind，whichisnotatangiblething。Formyself，Ifeelconvincedthatthereisasoul，amindofthemind——andthatitreallyexists。Now，glancingatthestateofwildanduneducatedmen，itisevidentthattheyworkwiththeirhandsandmakevariousthingsalmostinstinctively。Butwhentheyarriveattheideaofmind，andsaytothemselves，Ipossessamind，thentheythinkandproceedfarther，formingdesignsandconstructionsbothtangibleandmental。
　　Nextthen，whenwesay，Ihaveasoul，wecanproceedtoshapethingsyetfurther，andtoseedeeper，andpenetratethemystery。Bydenyingtheexistenceandthepowerofthesoul——
　　refusingtoemployit——weshouldgobackmorethantwelvethousandwrittenyearsofhumanhistory。Butinsteadofthis，Icontend，weshouldendeavourtogoforward，andtodiscoverafourthIdea，andafterthatafifth，andonwardscontinually。
　　Iwillnotpermitmyselftobetakencaptivebyobservingphysicalphenomena，asmanyevidentlyare。Somegasesaremingledandproducealiquid；certainlyitisworthcarefulinvestigation，butitisnomorethantherevolutionofawheel，whichissooftenseenthatitexcitesnosurprise，though，intruth，aswonderful。Soisallmotion，andsoisagrainofsand；thereisnothingthatisnotwonderful；as，forinstance，thefactoftheexistenceofthingsatall。Buttheintenseconcentrationofthemindonmechanicaleffectsappearsoftentorenderitincapableofperceivinganythingthatisnotmechanical。Somecompoundsareobservedtoprecipitatecrystals，allofwhichcontainknownangles。Thenceitisarguedthatallismechanical，andthatactionoccursinsetwaysonly。Thereisatendencytolayitdownasaninfalliblelawthatbecauseweseethesethingsthereforeeverythingelsethatexistsinspacemustbeormoveexactlyinthesamemanner。ButIdonotthinkthatbecausecrystalsareprecipitatedwithfixedanglesthereforethewholeuniverseisnecessarilymechanical。Ithinktherearethingsexemptfrommechanicalrules。Therestrictionofthoughttopurelymechanicalgroovesblocksprogressinthesamewayastherestrictionsofmediaevalsuperstition。Letthemindthink，dream，imagine：letithaveperfectfreedom。Toshutoutthesoulistoputusbackmorethantwelvethousandyears。
　　Justasoutsidelight，andtheknowledgegainedfromlight，thereare，Ithink，othermediumsfromwhich，intimestocome，intelligencewillbeobtained，sooutsidethementalandthespiritualideaswenowpossessIbelievethereexistsawholecircleofideas。Intheconceptionoftheideathatthereareothers，Ilayclaimtoanotheridea。
　　Themindisinfiniteandabletounderstandeverythingthatisbroughtbeforeit；thereisnolimittoitsunderstanding。Thelimitisinthelittlenessofthethingsandthenarrownessoftheideaswhichhavebeenputforittoconsider。Forthephilosophiesofoldtimepastandthediscoveriesofmodernresearchareasnothingtoit。Theydonotfillit。Whentheyhavebeenread，themindpasseson，andasksformore。Theutmostofthem，thewholetogether，makeamerenothing。Thesethingshavebeengatheredtogetherbyimmenselabour，laboursogreatthatitisawearinesstothinkofit；butyet，whenallissummedupandwritten，themindreceivesitallaseasilyasthehandpicksflowers。Itislikeonesentence——
　　readandgone。
　　Themindrequiresmore，andmore，andmore。Itissostrongthatallthatcanbeputbeforeitisdevouredinamoment。
　　Lefttoitselfitwillnotbesatisfiedwithaninvisibleidolanymorethanwithawoodenone。Anidolwhoseattributesareomnipresence，omnipotence，andsoon，isnogreaterthanlightorelectricity，whicharepresenteverywhereandall—powerful，andfromwhichperhapsthethoughtarose。Prayerwhichreceivesnoreplymustbepronouncedinvain。Themindgoesonandrequiresmorethanthese，somethinghigherthanprayer，somethinghigherthanagod。
　　Ihavebeenobligedtowritethesethingsbyanirresistibleimpulsewhichhasworkedinmesinceearlyyouth。Theyhavenotbeenwrittenforthesakeofargument，stilllessforanythoughtofprofit，ratherindeedthereverse。Theyhavebeenforcedfrommebyearnestnessofheart，andtheyexpressmymostseriousconvictions。Forseventeenyearstheyhavebeenlyinginmymind，continuallythoughtofandponderedover。I
　　wasnotmorethaneighteenwhenaninnerandesotericmeaningbegantocometomefromallthevisibleuniverse，andindefinableaspirationsfilledme。
　　Ifoundtheminthegrassfields，underthetrees，onthehill—tops，atsunrise，andinthenight。Therewasadeepermeaningeverywhere。Thesunburnedwithit，thebroadfrontofmorningbeamedwithit；adeepfeelingenteredmewhilegazingattheskyintheazurenoon，andinthestar—litevening。
　　Iwassensitivetoallthings，totheearthunder，andthestar—hollowroundabout；totheleastbladeofgrass，tothelargestoak。Theyseemedlikeexteriornervesandveinsfortheconveyanceoffeelingtome。Sometimesaveryecstasyofexquisiteenjoymentoftheentirevisibleuniversefilledme。Iwasawarethatinrealitythefeelingandthethoughtwereinme，andnotintheearthorsun；yetIwasmoreconsciousofitwhenincompanywiththese。Avisittotheseaincreasedthestrengthoftheoriginalimpulse。Ibegantomakeeffortstoexpressthesethoughtsinwriting，butcouldnotsucceedtomyownliking。Timewenton，andharderexperiences，andthepressureoflabourcame，butinnodegreeabatedthefireoffirstthought。AgainandagainImaderesolutionsthatIwouldwriteit，insomewayorother，andasoftenfailed。Icouldexpressanyotherideawithease，butnotthis。OnceespeciallyIremember，inashortintervalofdistastefullabour，walkingawaytoaspotbyabrookwhichskirtsanancientRomanwall，andtheretryingtodetermineandreallycommencetowork。AgainIfailed。Moretime，morechanges，andstillthesamethoughtrunningbeneatheverything。Atlast，in1880，intheoldcastleofPevensey，underhappycircumstances，oncemoreIresolved，andactuallydidwritedownafewnotes。EventhenIcouldnotgoon，butIkeptthenotes（Ihaddestroyedallformerbegin—
　　nings），andintheend，twoyearsafterwards，commencedthisbook。
　　Afterallthistimeandthoughtitisonlyafragment，andafragmentscarcelyhewn。HadInotmadeitpersonalIcouldscarcelyhaveputitintoanyshapeatall。ButIfeltthatIcouldnolongerdelay，andthatitmustbedone，howeverimperfectly。Iamonlytooconsciousofitsimperfections，forIhaveasitwereseventeenyearsofconsciousnessofmyowninabilitytoexpressthistheideaofmylife。Icanonlysaythatmanyoftheseshortsentencesaretheresultoflong—continuedthought。OneofthegreatestdifficultiesIhaveencounteredisthelackofwordstoexpressideas。Bythewordsoul，orpsyche，Imeanthatinnerconsciousnesswhichaspires。ByprayerIdonotmeanarequestforanythingpreferredtoadeity；Imeanintensesoul—emotion，intenseaspiration。Thewordimmortalisveryinconvenient，andyetthereisnoothertoconveytheideaofsoul—life。
　　Eventhesedefinitionsaredeficient，andImustleavemybookasawholetogiveitsownmeaningtoitswords。
　　Timehasgoneon，andstill，aftersomuchpondering，IfeelthatIknownothing，thatIhavenotyetbegun；Ihaveonlyjustcommencedtorealisetheimmensityofthoughtwhichliesoutsidetheknowledgeofthesenses。Still，onthehillsandbytheseashore，Iseekandpraydeeperthanever。
　　Thesunburnssouthwardsovertheseaandbeforethewaverunsitsshadow，constantlyslippingontheadvancingslopetillitcurlsandcoversitsdarkimageattheshore。Overtherimofthehorizonwavesareflowingashighandwideasthosethatbreakuponthebeach。Thesethatcometomeandbeatthetremblingshorearelikethethoughtsthathavebeenknownsolong；liketheancient，iterated，andreiteratedthoughtsthathavebrokenonthestrandofmindforthousandsofyears。BeyondandoverthehorizonIfeelthatthereareotherwavesofideasunknowntome，flowingasthestreamofoceanflows。Knowledgeoffactsislimitless：theylieatmyfeetinnumerablelikethecountlesspebbles；knowledgeofthoughtsocircumscribed!Everthesamethoughtscomethathavebeenwrittendowncenturiesandcenturies。
　　Letmelaunchforthandsailovertherimoftheseayonder，andwhenanotherrimarisesoverthat，andagainandonwardsintoanever—wideningoceanofideaandlife。Forwithallthestrengthofthewave，anditssucceedingwave，thedepthandraceofthetide，thecleardefinitionofthesky；withallthesubtlepowerofthegreatsea，thererisesanequaldesire。
　　Givemelifestrongandfullasthebrimmingocean；givemethoughtswideasitsplain；givemeasoulbeyondthese。Sweetisthebitterseabytheshorewherethefaintbluepebblesarelappedbythegreen—greywave，wherethewind—quiveringfoamislothtoleavethelashedstone。Sweetisthebittersea，andthecleargreeninwhichthegazeseeksthesoul，lookingthroughtheglassintoitself。TheseathinksformeasIlistenandponder；theseathinks，andeveryboomofthewaverepeatsmyprayer。
　　SometimesIstayonthewetsandsasthetiderises，listeningtotherushofthelinesoffoaminlayeruponlayer；thewashswellsandcirclesaboutmyfeet，Ihavemyhandsinit，Iliftalittleinmyhollowedpalm，Itakethelifeoftheseatome。
　　Mysoulrisingtotheimmensityuttersitsdesire—prayerwithallthestrengthofthesea。Or，again，thefullstreamofoceanbeatsupontheshore，andtherichwindfeedstheheart，thesunburnsbrightly；thesenseofsoul—lifeburnsinmelikeatorch。
　　LeavingtheshoreIwalkamongthetrees；acloudpasses，andthesweetshortraincomesmingledwithsunbeamsandflower—
　　scentedair。Thefinchessingamongthefreshgreenleavesofthebeeches。
　　Beautifulitis，insummerdays，toseethewheatwave，andthelonggrassfoam——fleckedoffloweryieldandreturntothewind。Mysoulofitselfalwaysdesires；thesearetoitasfreshfood。I
　　havefoundinthehillsanothervalleygroovedinprehistorictimes，where，climbingtothetopofthehollow，Icanseethesea。DowninthehollowI
　　lookup；theskystretchesover，thesunburnsasitseemsbutjustabovethehill，andthewindsweepsonward。Astheskyextendsbeyondthevalley，soIknowthatthereareideasbeyondthevalleyofmythought；Iknowthatthereissomethinginfinitelyhigherthandeity。Thegreatsunburninginthesky，thesea，thefirmearth，allthestarsofnightarefeeble——all，allthecosmosisfeeble；itisnotstrongenoughtouttermyprayer—desire。
　　Mysoulcannotreachtoitsfulldesireofprayer。Ineednoearth，orsea，orsuntothinkmythought。Ifmythought—part——thepsyche——wereentirelyseparatedfromthebody，andfromtheearth，Ishouldofmyselfdesirethesame。Initselfmysouldesires；myexistence，mysoul—existenceisinitselfmyprayer，andsolongasitexistssolongwillitpraythatImayhavethefullestsoul—life。