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。
