ThereisnogreatandnosmallTotheSoulthatmakethall：

Andwhereitcometh，allthingsare；

Anditcometheverywhere。

Iamownerofthesphere，Ofthesevenstarsandthesolaryear，OfCaesar'shand，andPlato'sbrain，OfLordChrist'sheart，andShakspeare'sstrain。

ESSAYIHistoryThereisonemindcommontoallindividualmen。Everymanisaninlettothesameandtoallofthesame。Hethatisonceadmittedtotherightofreasonismadeafreemanofthewholeestate。WhatPlatohasthought，hemaythink；whatasainthasfelt，hemayfeel；whatatanytimehasbe-fallenanyman，hecanunderstand。Whohathaccesstothisuniversalmindisapartytoallthatisorcanbedone，forthisistheonlyandsovereignagent。

Oftheworksofthismindhistoryistherecord。Itsgeniusisillustratedbytheentireseriesofdays。Manisexplicablebynothinglessthanallhishistory。Withouthurry，withoutrest，thehumanspiritgoesforthfromthebeginningtoembodyeveryfaculty，everythought，everyemotion，whichbelongstoitinappropriateevents。Butthethoughtisalwayspriortothefact；allthefactsofhistorypreexistinthemindaslaws。Eachlawinturnismadebycircumstancespredominant，andthelimitsofnaturegivepowertobutoneatatime。Amanisthewholeencyclopaediaoffacts。Thecreationofathousandforestsisinoneacorn，andEgypt，Greece，Rome，Gaul，Britain，America，liefoldedalreadyinthefirstman。

Epochafterepoch，camp，kingdom，empire，republic，democracy，aremerelytheapplicationofhismanifoldspirittothemanifoldworld。

Thishumanmindwrotehistory，andthismustreadit。TheSphinxmustsolveherownriddle。Ifthewholeofhistoryisinoneman，itisalltobeexplainedfromindividualexperience。Thereisarelationbetweenthehoursofourlifeandthecenturiesoftime。

AstheairIbreatheisdrawnfromthegreatrepositoriesofnature，asthelightonmybookisyieldedbyastarahundredmillionsofmilesdistant，asthepoiseofmybodydependsontheequilibriumofcentrifugalandcentripetalforces，sothehoursshouldbeinstructedbytheages，andtheagesexplainedbythehours。Oftheuniversalmindeachindividualmanisonemoreincarnation。Allitspropertiesconsistinhim。Eachnewfactinhisprivateexperienceflashesalightonwhatgreatbodiesofmenhavedone，andthecrisesofhisliferefertonationalcrises。Everyrevolutionwasfirstathoughtinoneman'smind，andwhenthesamethoughtoccurstoanotherman，itisthekeytothatera。Everyreformwasonceaprivateopinion，andwhenitshallbeaprivateopinionagain，itwillsolvetheproblemoftheage。Thefactnarratedmustcorrespondtosomethinginmetobecredibleorintelligible。WeaswereadmustbecomeGreeks，Romans，Turks，priestandking，martyrandexecutioner，mustfastentheseimagestosomerealityinoursecretexperience，orweshalllearnnothingrightly。WhatbefellAsdrubalorCaesarBorgiaisasmuchanillustrationofthemind'spowersanddepravationsaswhathasbefallenus。Eachnewlawandpoliticalmovementhasmeaningforyou。Standbeforeeachofitstabletsandsay，`UnderthismaskdidmyProteusnaturehideitself。'Thisremediesthedefectofourtoogreatnearnesstoourselves。Thisthrowsouractionsintoperspective：andascrabs，goats，scorpions，thebalance，andthewaterpotlosetheirmeannesswhenhungassignsinthezodiac，soIcanseemyownviceswithoutheatinthedistantpersonsofSolomon，Alcibiades，andCatiline。

Itistheuniversalnaturewhichgivesworthtoparticularmenandthings。Humanlifeascontainingthisismysteriousandinviolable，andwehedgeitroundwithpenaltiesandlaws。Alllawsderivehencetheirultimatereason；allexpressmoreorlessdistinctlysomecommandofthissupreme，illimitableessence。

Propertyalsoholdsofthesoul，coversgreatspiritualfacts，andinstinctivelyweatfirstholdtoitwithswordsandlaws，andwideandcomplexcombinations。Theobscureconsciousnessofthisfactisthelightofallourday，theclaimofclaims；thepleaforeducation，forjustice，forcharity，thefoundationoffriendshipandlove，andoftheheroismandgrandeurwhichbelongtoactsofself-reliance。Itisremarkablethatinvoluntarilywealwaysreadassuperiorbeings。Universalhistory，thepoets，theromancers，donotintheirstateliestpictures——inthesacerdotal，theimperialpalaces，inthetriumphsofwillorofgenius——anywhereloseourear，anywheremakeusfeelthatweintrude，thatthisisforbettermen；butratherisittrue，thatintheirgrandeststrokeswefeelmostathome。AllthatShakspearesaysoftheking，yonderslipofaboythatreadsinthecornerfeelstobetrueofhimself。Wesympathizeinthegreatmomentsofhistory，inthegreatdiscoveries，thegreatresistances，thegreatprosperitiesofmen；——becausetherelawwasenacted，theseawassearched，thelandwasfound，ortheblowwasstruck_forus_，asweourselvesinthatplacewouldhavedoneorapplauded。

Wehavethesameinterestinconditionandcharacter。Wehonortherich，becausetheyhaveexternallythefreedom，power，andgracewhichwefeeltobepropertoman，propertous。SoallthatissaidofthewisemanbyStoic，ororientalormodernessayist，describestoeachreaderhisownidea，describeshisunattainedbutattainableself。Allliteraturewritesthecharacterofthewiseman。Books，monuments，pictures，conversation，areportraitsinwhichhefindsthelineamentsheisforming。Thesilentandtheeloquentpraisehimandaccosthim，andheisstimulatedwhereverhemovesasbypersonalallusions。Atrueaspirant，therefore，neverneedslookforallusionspersonalandlaudatoryindiscourse。Hehearsthecommendation，notofhimself，butmoresweet，ofthatcharacterheseeks，ineverywordthatissaidconcerningcharacter，yea，further，ineveryfactandcircumstance，——intherunningriverandtherustlingcorn。Praiseislooked，homagetendered，loveflowsfrommutenature，fromthemountainsandthelightsofthefirmament。

Thesehints，droppedasitwerefromsleepandnight，letususeinbroadday。Thestudentistoreadhistoryactivelyandnotpassively；toesteemhisownlifethetext，andbooksthecommentary。

Thuscompelled，theMuseofhistorywillutteroracles，asnevertothosewhodonotrespectthemselves。Ihavenoexpectationthatanymanwillreadhistoryaright，whothinksthatwhatwasdoneinaremoteage，bymenwhosenameshaveresoundedfar，hasanydeepersensethanwhatheisdoingto-day。

Theworldexistsfortheeducationofeachman。Thereisnoageorstateofsocietyormodeofactioninhistory，towhichthereisnotsomewhatcorrespondinginhislife。Everythingtendsinawonderfulmannertoabbreviateitselfandyielditsownvirtuetohim。Heshouldseethathecanliveallhistoryinhisownperson。

Hemustsitsolidlyathome，andnotsufferhimselftobebulliedbykingsorempires，butknowthatheisgreaterthanallthegeographyandallthegovernmentoftheworld；hemusttransferthepointofviewfromwhichhistoryiscommonlyread，fromRomeandAthensandLondontohimself，andnotdenyhisconvictionthatheisthecourt，andifEnglandorEgypthaveanythingtosaytohim，hewilltrythecase；ifnot，letthemforeverbesilent。Hemustattainandmaintainthatloftysightwherefactsyieldtheirsecretsense，andpoetryandannalsarealike。Theinstinctofthemind，thepurposeofnature，betraysitselfintheusewemakeofthesignalnarrationsofhistory。Timedissipatestoshiningetherthesolidangularityoffacts。Noanchor，nocable，nofences，availtokeepafactafact。

Babylon，Troy，Tyre，Palestine，andevenearlyRome，arepassingalreadyintofiction。TheGardenofEden，thesunstandingstillinGibeon，ispoetrythenceforwardtoallnations。Whocareswhatthefactwas，whenwehavemadeaconstellationofittohanginheavenanimmortalsign？LondonandParisandNewYorkmustgothesameway。“WhatisHistory，“saidNapoleon，“butafableagreedupon？”

ThislifeofoursisstuckroundwithEgypt，Greece，Gaul，England，War，Colonization，Church，Court，andCommerce，aswithsomanyflowersandwildornamentsgraveandgay。Iwillnotmakemoreaccountofthem。IbelieveinEternity。IcanfindGreece，Asia，Italy，Spain，andtheIslands，——thegeniusandcreativeprincipleofeachandofallerasinmyownmind。

Wearealwayscomingupwiththeemphaticfactsofhistoryinourprivateexperience，andverifyingthemhere。Allhistorybecomessubjective；inotherwords，thereisproperlynohistory；onlybiography。Everymindmustknowthewholelessonforitself，——mustgooverthewholeground。Whatitdoesnotsee，whatitdoesnotlive，itwillnotknow。Whattheformeragehasepitomizedintoaformulaorruleformanipularconvenience，itwillloseallthegoodofverifyingforitself，bymeansofthewallofthatrule。

Somewhere，sometime，itwilldemandandfindcompensationforthatlossbydoingtheworkitself。Fergusondiscoveredmanythingsinastronomywhichhadlongbeenknown。Thebetterforhim。

Historymustbethisoritisnothing。Everylawwhichthestateenactsindicatesafactinhumannature；thatisall。Wemustinourselvesseethenecessaryreasonofeveryfact，——seehowitcouldandmustbe。Sostandbeforeeverypublicandprivatework；

beforeanorationofBurke，beforeavictoryofNapoleon，beforeamartyrdomofSirThomasMore，ofSidney，ofMarmadukeRobinson，beforeaFrenchReignofTerror，andaSalemhangingofwitches，beforeafanaticRevival，andtheAnimalMagnetisminParis，orinProvidence。Weassumethatweunderlikeinfluenceshouldbealikeaffected，andshouldachievethelike；andweaimtomasterintellectuallythesteps，andreachthesameheightorthesamedegradation，thatourfellow，ourproxy，hasdone。

Allinquiryintoantiquity，——allcuriosityrespectingthePyramids，theexcavatedcities，Stonehenge，theOhioCircles，Mexico，Memphis，——isthedesiretodoawaythiswild，savage，andpreposterousThereorThen，andintroduceinitsplacetheHereandtheNow。Belzonidigsandmeasuresinthemummy-pitsandpyramidsofThebes，untilhecanseetheendofthedifferencebetweenthemonstrousworkandhimself。Whenhehassatisfiedhimself，ingeneralandindetail，thatitwasmadebysuchapersonashe，soarmedandsomotived，andtoendstowhichhehimselfshouldalsohaveworked，theproblemissolved；histhoughtlivesalongthewholelineoftemplesandsphinxesandcatacombs，passesthroughthemallwithsatisfaction，andtheyliveagaintothemind，orare_now_。

AGothiccathedralaffirmsthatitwasdonebyus，andnotdonebyus。Surelyitwasbyman，butwefinditnotinourman。Butweapplyourselvestothehistoryofitsproduction。Weputourselvesintotheplaceandstateofthebuilder。Weremembertheforest-dwellers，thefirsttemples，theadherencetothefirsttype，andthedecorationofitasthewealthofthenationincreased；thevaluewhichisgiventowoodbycarvingledtothecarvingoverthewholemountainofstoneofacathedral。Whenwehavegonethroughthisprocess，andaddedtheretotheCatholicChurch，itscross，itsmusic，itsprocessions，itsSaints'daysandimage-worship，wehave，asitwere，beenthemanthatmadetheminster；wehaveseenhowitcouldandmustbe。Wehavethesufficientreason。

Thedifferencebetweenmenisintheirprincipleofassociation。Somemenclassifyobjectsbycolorandsizeandotheraccidentsofappearance；othersbyintrinsiclikeness，orbytherelationofcauseandeffect。Theprogressoftheintellectistotheclearervisionofcauses，whichneglectssurfacedifferences。Tothepoet，tothephilosopher，tothesaint，allthingsarefriendlyandsacred，alleventsprofitable，alldaysholy，allmendivine。

Fortheeyeisfastenedonthelife，andslightsthecircumstance。

Everychemicalsubstance，everyplant，everyanimalinitsgrowth，teachestheunityofcause，thevarietyofappearance。

Upborneandsurroundedaswearebythisall-creatingnature，softandfluidasacloudortheair，whyshouldwebesuchhardpedants，andmagnifyafewforms？Whyshouldwemakeaccountoftime，orofmagnitude，oroffigure？Thesoulknowsthemnot，andgenius，obeyingitslaw，knowshowtoplaywiththemasayoungchildplayswithgraybeardsandinchurches。Geniusstudiesthecausalthought，and，farbackinthewombofthings，seestherayspartingfromoneorb，thatdivergeeretheyfallbyinfinitediameters。

Geniuswatchesthemonadthroughallhismasksasheperformsthemetempsychosisofnature。Geniusdetectsthroughthefly，throughthecaterpillar，throughthegrub，throughtheegg，theconstantindividual；throughcountlessindividuals，thefixedspecies；throughmanyspecies，thegenus；throughallgenera，thesteadfasttype；

throughallthekingdomsoforganizedlife，theeternalunity。

Natureisamutablecloud，whichisalwaysandneverthesame。Shecaststhesamethoughtintotroopsofforms，asapoetmakestwentyfableswithonemoral。Throughthebrutenessandtoughnessofmatter，asubtlespiritbendsallthingstoitsownwill。Theadamantstreamsintosoftbutpreciseformbeforeit，and，whilstI

lookatit，itsoutlineandtexturearechangedagain。Nothingissofleetingasform；yetneverdoesitquitedenyitself。Inmanwestilltracetheremainsorhintsofallthatweesteembadgesofservitudeinthelowerraces；yetinhimtheyenhancehisnoblenessandgrace；asIo，inAeschylus，transformedtoacow，offendstheimagination；buthowchanged，whenasIsisinEgyptshemeetsOsiris-Jove，abeautifulwoman，withnothingofthemetamorphosisleftbutthelunarhornsasthesplendidornamentofherbrows！

Theidentityofhistoryisequallyintrinsic，thediversityequallyobvious。Thereisatthesurfaceinfinitevarietyofthings；

atthecentrethereissimplicityofcause。Howmanyaretheactsofonemaninwhichwerecognizethesamecharacter！ObservethesourcesofourinformationinrespecttotheGreekgenius。Wehavethe_civilhistory_ofthatpeople，asHerodotus，Thucydides，Xenophon，andPlutarchhavegivenit；averysufficientaccountofwhatmannerofpersonstheywere，andwhattheydid。Wehavethesamenationalmindexpressedforusagainintheir_literature_，inepicandlyricpoems，drama，andphilosophy；averycompleteform。

Thenwehaveitoncemoreintheir_architecture_，abeautyasoftemperanceitself，limitedtothestraightlineandthesquare，——abuildedgeometry。Thenwehaveitonceagainin_sculpture_，the“tongueonthebalanceofexpression，“amultitudeofformsintheutmostfreedomofaction，andnevertransgressingtheidealserenity；

likevotariesperformingsomereligiousdancebeforethegods，and，thoughinconvulsivepainormortalcombat，neverdaringtobreakthefigureanddecorumoftheirdance。Thus，ofthegeniusofoneremarkablepeople，wehaveafourfoldrepresentation：andtothesenseswhatmoreunlikethananodeofPindar，amarblecentaur，theperistyleoftheParthenon，andthelastactionsofPhocion？

Everyonemusthaveobservedfacesandformswhich，withoutanyresemblingfeature，makealikeimpressiononthebeholder。A

particularpictureorcopyofverses，ifitdonotawakenthesametrainofimages，willyetsuperinducethesamesentimentassomewildmountainwalk，althoughtheresemblanceisnowiseobvioustothesenses，butisoccultandoutofthereachoftheunderstanding。

Natureisanendlesscombinationandrepetitionofaveryfewlaws。

Shehumstheoldwell-knownairthroughinnumerablevariations。

Natureisfullofasublimefamilylikenessthroughoutherworks；anddelightsinstartlinguswithresemblancesinthemostunexpectedquarters。Ihaveseentheheadofanoldsachemoftheforest，whichatonceremindedtheeyeofabaldmountainsummit，andthefurrowsofthebrowsuggestedthestrataoftherock。TherearemenwhosemannershavethesameessentialsplendorasthesimpleandawfulsculptureonthefriezesoftheParthenon，andtheremainsoftheearliestGreekart。Andtherearecompositionsofthesamestraintobefoundinthebooksofallages。WhatisGuido'sRospigliosiAurorabutamorningthought，asthehorsesinitareonlyamorningcloud。Ifanyonewillbuttakepainstoobservethevarietyofactionstowhichheisequallyinclinedincertainmoodsofmind，andthosetowhichheisaverse，hewillseehowdeepisthechainofaffinity。

Apaintertoldmethatnobodycoulddrawatreewithoutinsomesortbecomingatree；ordrawachildbystudyingtheoutlinesofitsformmerely，——but，bywatchingforatimehismotionsandplays，thepainterentersintohisnature，andcanthendrawhimatwillineveryattitude。SoRoos“enteredintotheinmostnatureofasheep。“

Iknewadraughtsmanemployedinapublicsurvey，whofoundthathecouldnotsketchtherocksuntiltheirgeologicalstructurewasfirstexplainedtohim。Inacertainstateofthoughtisthecommonoriginofverydiverseworks。Itisthespiritandnotthefactthatisidentical。Byadeeperapprehension，andnotprimarilybyapainfulacquisitionofmanymanualskills，theartistattainsthepowerofawakeningothersoulstoagivenactivity。

Ithasbeensaid，that“commonsoulspaywithwhattheydo；

noblersoulswiththatwhichtheyare。“Andwhy？Becauseaprofoundnatureawakensinusbyitsactionsandwords，byitsverylooksandmanners，thesamepowerandbeautythatagalleryofsculpture，orofpictures，addresses。

Civilandnaturalhistory，thehistoryofartandofliterature，mustbeexplainedfromindividualhistory，ormustremainwords。Thereisnothingbutisrelatedtous，nothingthatdoesnotinterestus，——kingdom，college，tree，horse，orironshoe，therootsofallthingsareinman。SantaCroceandtheDomeofSt。

Peter'sarelamecopiesafteradivinemodel。StrasburgCathedralisamaterialcounterpartofthesoulofErwinofSteinbach。Thetruepoemisthepoet'smind；thetrueshipistheship-builder。Intheman，couldwelayhimopen，weshouldseethereasonforthelastflourishandtendrilofhiswork；aseveryspineandtintinthesea-shellpreexistinthesecretingorgansofthefish。Thewholeofheraldryandofchivalryisincourtesy。Amanoffinemannersshallpronounceyournamewithalltheornamentthattitlesofnobilitycouldeveradd。

Thetrivialexperienceofeverydayisalwaysverifyingsomeoldpredictiontous，andconvertingintothingsthewordsandsignswhichwehadheardandseenwithoutheed。Alady，withwhomIwasridingintheforest，saidtome，thatthewoodsalwaysseemedtoher_towait_，asifthegeniiwhoinhabitthemsuspendedtheirdeedsuntilthewayfarerhaspassedonward：athoughtwhichpoetryhascelebratedinthedanceofthefairies，whichbreaksoffontheapproachofhumanfeet。Themanwhohasseentherisingmoonbreakoutofthecloudsatmidnighthasbeenpresentlikeanarchangelatthecreationoflightandoftheworld。Irememberonesummerday，inthefields，mycompanionpointedouttomeabroadcloud，whichmightextendaquarterofamileparalleltothehorizon，quiteaccuratelyintheformofacherubaspaintedoverchurches，——aroundblockinthecentre，whichitwaseasytoanimatewitheyesandmouth，supportedoneithersidebywide-stretchedsymmetricalwings。

Whatappearsonceintheatmospheremayappearoften，anditwasundoubtedlythearchetypeofthatfamiliarornament。IhaveseenintheskyachainofsummerlightningwhichatonceshowedtomethattheGreeksdrewfromnaturewhentheypaintedthethunderboltinthehandofJove。Ihaveseenasnow-driftalongthesidesofthestonewallwhichobviouslygavetheideaofthecommonarchitecturalscrolltoabutatower。

Bysurroundingourselveswiththeoriginalcircumstances，weinventanewtheordersandtheornamentsofarchitecture，asweseehoweachpeoplemerelydecorateditsprimitiveabodes。TheDorictemplepreservesthesemblanceofthewoodencabininwhichtheDoriandwelt。TheChinesepagodaisplainlyaTartartent。TheIndianandEgyptiantemplesstillbetraythemoundsandsubterraneanhousesoftheirforefathers。“Thecustomofmakinghousesandtombsinthelivingrock，“saysHeeren，inhisResearchesontheEthiopians，“determinedverynaturallytheprincipalcharacteroftheNubianEgyptianarchitecturetothecolossalformwhichitassumed。

Inthesecaverns，alreadypreparedbynature，theeyewasaccustomedtodwellonhugeshapesandmasses，sothat，whenartcametotheassistanceofnature，itcouldnotmoveonasmallscalewithoutdegradingitself。Whatwouldstatuesoftheusualsize，orneatporchesandwings，havebeen，associatedwiththosegigantichallsbeforewhichonlyColossicouldsitaswatchmen，orleanonthepillarsoftheinterior？”

TheGothicchurchplainlyoriginatedinarudeadaptationoftheforesttreeswithalltheirboughstoafestalorsolemnarcade，asthebandsaboutthecleftpillarsstillindicatethegreenwithesthattiedthem。Noonecanwalkinaroadcutthroughpinewoods，withoutbeingstruckwiththearchitecturalappearanceofthegrove，especiallyinwinter，whenthebarenessofallothertreesshowsthelowarchoftheSaxons。Inthewoodsinawinterafternoononewillseeasreadilytheoriginofthestainedglasswindow，withwhichtheGothiccathedralsareadorned，inthecolorsofthewesternskyseenthroughthebareandcrossingbranchesoftheforest。NorcananyloverofnatureentertheoldpilesofOxfordandtheEnglishcathedrals，withoutfeelingthattheforestoverpoweredthemindofthebuilder，andthathischisel，hissaw，andplanestillreproduceditsferns，itsspikesofflowers，itslocust，elm，oak，pine，fir，andspruce。

TheGothiccathedralisablossominginstonesubduedbytheinsatiabledemandofharmonyinman。Themountainofgranitebloomsintoaneternalflower，withthelightnessanddelicatefinish，aswellastheaerialproportionsandperspective，ofvegetablebeauty。

Inlikemanner，allpublicfactsaretobeindividualized，allprivatefactsaretobegeneralized。ThenatonceHistorybecomesfluidandtrue，andBiographydeepandsublime。AsthePersianimitatedintheslendershaftsandcapitalsofhisarchitecturethestemandflowerofthelotusandpalm，sothePersiancourtinitsmagnificenteranevergaveoverthenomadismofitsbarbaroustribes，buttravelledfromEcbatana，wherethespringwasspent，toSusainsummer，andtoBabylonforthewinter。

IntheearlyhistoryofAsiaandAfrica，NomadismandAgriculturearethetwoantagonistfacts。ThegeographyofAsiaandofAfricanecessitatedanomadiclife。Butthenomadsweretheterrorofallthosewhomthesoil，ortheadvantagesofamarket，hadinducedtobuildtowns。Agriculture，therefore，wasareligiousinjunction，becauseoftheperilsofthestatefromnomadism。AndintheselateandcivilcountriesofEnglandandAmerica，thesepropensitiesstillfightouttheoldbattleinthenationandintheindividual。ThenomadsofAfricawereconstrainedtowanderbytheattacksofthegad-fly，whichdrivesthecattlemad，andsocompelsthetribetoemigrateintherainyseason，andtodriveoffthecattletothehighersandyregions。ThenomadsofAsiafollowthepasturagefrommonthtomonth。InAmericaandEurope，thenomadismisoftradeandcuriosity；aprogress，certainly，fromthegad-flyofAstaborastotheAngloandItalo-maniaofBostonBay。Sacredcities，towhichaperiodicalreligiouspilgrimagewasenjoined，orstringentlawsandcustoms，tendingtoinvigoratethenationalbond，werethecheckontheoldrovers；andthecumulativevaluesoflongresidencearetherestraintsontheitineracyofthepresentday。Theantagonismofthetwotendenciesisnotlessactiveinindividuals，astheloveofadventureortheloveofreposehappenstopredominate。Amanofrudehealthandflowingspiritshasthefacultyofrapiddomestication，livesinhiswagon，androamsthroughalllatitudesaseasilyasaCalmuc。Atsea，orintheforest，orinthesnow，hesleepsaswarm，dineswithasgoodappetite，andassociatesashappily，asbesidehisownchimneys。Orperhapshisfacilityisdeeperseated，intheincreasedrangeofhisfacultiesofobservation，whichyieldhimpointsofinterestwhereverfreshobjectsmeethiseyes。Thepastoralnationswereneedyandhungrytodesperation；andthisintellectualnomadism，initsexcess，bankruptsthemind，throughthedissipationofpoweronamiscellanyofobjects。Thehome-keepingwit，ontheotherhand，isthatcontinenceorcontentwhichfindsalltheelementsoflifeinitsownsoil；andwhichhasitsownperilsofmonotonyanddeterioration，ifnotstimulatedbyforeigninfusions。

Everythingtheindividualseeswithouthimcorrespondstohisstatesofmind，andeverythingisinturnintelligibletohim，ashisonwardthinkingleadshimintothetruthtowhichthatfactorseriesbelongs。

Theprimevalworld，——theFore-World，astheGermanssay，——I

candivetoitinmyselfaswellasgropeforitwithresearchingfingersincatacombs，libraries，andthebrokenreliefsandtorsosofruinedvillas。

WhatisthefoundationofthatinterestallmenfeelinGreekhistory，letters，art，andpoetry，inallitsperiods，fromtheHeroicorHomericagedowntothedomesticlifeoftheAtheniansandSpartans，fourorfivecenturieslater？Whatbutthis，thateverymanpassespersonallythroughaGrecianperiod。TheGrecianstateistheeraofthebodilynature，theperfectionofthesenses，——ofthespiritualnatureunfoldedinstrictunitywiththebody。InitexistedthosehumanformswhichsuppliedthesculptorwithhismodelsofHercules，Ph；oebus，andJove；notliketheformsaboundinginthestreetsofmoderncities，whereinthefaceisaconfusedbluroffeatures，butcomposedofincorrupt，sharplydefined，andsymmetricalfeatures，whoseeye-socketsaresoformedthatitwouldbeimpossibleforsucheyestosquint，andtakefurtiveglancesonthissideandonthat，buttheymustturnthewholehead。Themannersofthatperiodareplainandfierce。Thereverenceexhibitedisforpersonalqualities，courage，address，self-command，justice，strength，swiftness，aloudvoice，abroadchest。Luxuryandelegancearenotknown。Asparsepopulationandwantmakeeverymanhisownvalet，cook，butcher，andsoldier，andthehabitofsupplyinghisownneedseducatesthebodytowonderfulperformances。SucharetheAgamemnonandDiomedofHomer，andnotfardifferentisthepictureXenophongivesofhimselfandhiscompatriotsintheRetreatoftheTenThousand。“AfterthearmyhadcrossedtheriverTeleboasinArmenia，therefellmuchsnow，andthetroopslaymiserablyonthegroundcoveredwithit。ButXenophonarosenaked，and，takinganaxe，begantosplitwood；whereuponothersroseanddidthelike。“Throughouthisarmyexistsaboundlesslibertyofspeech。Theyquarrelforplunder，theywranglewiththegeneralsoneachneworder，andXenophonisassharp-tonguedasany，andsharper-tonguedthanmost，andsogivesasgoodashegets。Whodoesnotseethatthisisagangofgreatboys，withsuchacodeofhonorandsuchlaxdisciplineasgreatboyshave？

Thecostlycharmoftheancienttragedy，andindeedofalltheoldliterature，is，thatthepersonsspeaksimply，——speakaspersonswhohavegreatgoodsensewithoutknowingit，beforeyetthereflectivehabithasbecomethepredominanthabitofthemind。Ouradmirationoftheantiqueisnotadmirationoftheold，butofthenatural。TheGreeksarenotreflective，butperfectintheirsensesandintheirhealth，withthefinestphysicalorganizationintheworld。Adultsactedwiththesimplicityandgraceofchildren。Theymadevases，tragedies，andstatues，suchashealthysensesshould，——thatis，ingoodtaste。Suchthingshavecontinuedtobemadeinallages，andarenow，whereverahealthyphysiqueexists；

but，asaclass，fromtheirsuperiororganization，theyhavesurpassedall。Theycombinetheenergyofmanhoodwiththeengagingunconsciousnessofchildhood。Theattractionofthesemannersisthattheybelongtoman，andareknowntoeverymaninvirtueofhisbeingonceachild；besidesthattherearealwaysindividualswhoretainthesecharacteristics。ApersonofchildlikegeniusandinbornenergyisstillaGreek，andrevivesourloveoftheMuseofHellas。IadmiretheloveofnatureinthePhiloctetes。Inreadingthosefineapostrophestosleep，tothestars，rocks，mountains，andwaves，Ifeeltimepassingawayasanebbingsea。Ifeeltheeternityofman，theidentityofhisthought。TheGreekhad，itseems，thesamefellow-beingsasI。Thesunandmoon，waterandfire，methisheartpreciselyastheymeetmine。ThenthevaunteddistinctionbetweenGreekandEnglish，betweenClassicandRomanticschools，seemssuperficialandpedantic。WhenathoughtofPlatobecomesathoughttome，——whenatruththatfiredthesoulofPindarfiresmine，timeisnomore。WhenIfeelthatwetwomeetinaperception，thatourtwosoulsaretingedwiththesamehue，anddo，asitwere，runintoone，whyshouldImeasuredegreesoflatitude，whyshouldIcountEgyptianyears？

Thestudentinterpretstheageofchivalrybyhisownageofchivalry，andthedaysofmaritimeadventureandcircumnavigationbyquiteparallelminiatureexperiencesofhisown。Tothesacredhistoryoftheworld，hehasthesamekey。Whenthevoiceofaprophetoutofthedeepsofantiquitymerelyechoestohimasentimentofhisinfancy，aprayerofhisyouth，hethenpiercestothetruththroughalltheconfusionoftraditionandthecaricatureofinstitutions。

Rare，extravagantspiritscomebyusatintervals，whodisclosetousnewfactsinnature。IseethatmenofGodhave，fromtimetotime，walkedamongmenandmadetheircommissionfeltintheheartandsoulofthecommonesthearer。Hence，evidently，thetripod，thepriest，thepriestessinspiredbythedivineafflatus。

Jesusastonishesandoverpowerssensualpeople。Theycannotunitehimtohistory，orreconcilehimwiththemselves。Astheycometoreveretheirintuitionsandaspiretoliveholily，theirownpietyexplainseveryfact，everyword。

HoweasilytheseoldworshipsofMoses，ofZoroaster，ofMenu，ofSocrates，domesticatethemselvesinthemind。Icannotfindanyantiquityinthem。Theyaremineasmuchastheirs。

Ihaveseenthefirstmonksandanchoretswithoutcrossingseasorcenturies。Morethanoncesomeindividualhasappearedtomewithsuchnegligenceoflaborandsuchcommandingcontemplation，ahaughtybeneficiary，begginginthenameofGod，asmadegoodtothenineteenthcenturySimeontheStylite，theThebais，andthefirstCapuchins。

ThepriestcraftoftheEastandWest，oftheMagian，Brahmin，Druid，andInca，isexpoundedintheindividual'sprivatelife。Thecrampinginfluenceofahardformalistonayoungchildinrepressinghisspiritsandcourage，paralyzingtheunderstanding，andthatwithoutproducingindignation，butonlyfearandobedience，andevenmuchsympathywiththetyranny，——isafamiliarfactexplainedtothechildwhenhebecomesaman，onlybyseeingthattheoppressorofhisyouthishimselfachildtyrannizedoverbythosenamesandwordsandforms，ofwhoseinfluencehewasmerelytheorgantotheyouth。

ThefactteacheshimhowBeluswasworshipped，andhowthePyramidswerebuilt，betterthanthediscoverybyChampollionofthenamesofalltheworkmenandthecostofeverytile。HefindsAssyriaandtheMoundsofCholulaathisdoor，andhimselfhaslaidthecourses。

Again，inthatprotestwhicheachconsideratepersonmakesagainstthesuperstitionofhistimes，herepeatsstepforstepthepartofoldreformers，andinthesearchaftertruthfindslikethemnewperilstovirtue。Helearnsagainwhatmoralvigorisneededtosupplythegirdleofasuperstition。Agreatlicentiousnesstreadsontheheelsofareformation。HowmanytimesinthehistoryoftheworldhastheLutherofthedayhadtolamentthedecayofpietyinhisownhousehold！“Doctor，“saidhiswifetoMartinLuther，oneday，“howisitthat，whilstsubjecttopapacy，weprayedsooftenandwithsuchfervor，whilstnowwepraywiththeutmostcoldnessandveryseldom？”

Theadvancingmandiscovershowdeepapropertyhehasinliterature，——inallfableaswellasinallhistory。Hefindsthatthepoetwasnooddfellowwhodescribedstrangeandimpossiblesituations，butthatuniversalmanwrotebyhispenaconfessiontrueforoneandtrueforall。Hisownsecretbiographyhefindsinlineswonderfullyintelligibletohim，dotteddownbeforehewasborn。OneafteranotherhecomesupinhisprivateadventureswitheveryfableofAesop，ofHomer，ofHafiz，ofAriosto，ofChaucer，ofScott，andverifiesthemwithhisownheadandhands。

ThebeautifulfablesoftheGreeks，beingpropercreationsoftheimaginationandnotofthefancy，areuniversalverities。WhatarangeofmeaningsandwhatperpetualpertinencehasthestoryofPrometheus！BesideitsprimaryvalueasthefirstchapterofthehistoryofEurope，(themythologythinlyveilingauthenticfacts，theinventionofthemechanicarts，andthemigrationofcolonies，)itgivesthehistoryofreligionwithsomeclosenesstothefaithoflaterages。PrometheusistheJesusoftheoldmythology。Heisthefriendofman；standsbetweentheunjust“justice“oftheEternalFatherandtheraceofmortals，andreadilysuffersallthingsontheiraccount。ButwhereitdepartsfromtheCalvinisticChristianity，andexhibitshimasthedefierofJove，itrepresentsastateofmindwhichreadilyappearswhereverthedoctrineofTheismistaughtinacrude，objectiveform，andwhichseemstheself-defenceofmanagainstthisuntruth，namely，adiscontentwiththebelievedfactthataGodexists，andafeelingthattheobligationofreverenceisonerous。Itwouldsteal，ifitcould，thefireoftheCreator，andliveapartfromhim，andindependentofhim。

ThePrometheusVinctusistheromanceofskepticism。Notlesstruetoalltimearethedetailsofthatstatelyapologue。ApollokepttheflocksofAdmetus，saidthepoets。Whenthegodscomeamongmen，theyarenotknown。Jesuswasnot；SocratesandShakspearewerenot。

AntaeuswassuffocatedbythegripeofHercules，buteverytimehetouchedhismotherearth，hisstrengthwasrenewed。Manisthebrokengiant，and，inallhisweakness，bothhisbodyandhismindareinvigoratedbyhabitsofconversationwithnature。Thepowerofmusic，thepowerofpoetrytounfix，and，asitwere，clapwingstosolidnature，interpretstheriddleofOrpheus。ThephilosophicalperceptionofidentitythroughendlessmutationsofformmakeshimknowtheProteus。WhatelseamIwholaughedorweptyesterday，whosleptlastnightlikeacorpse，andthismorningstoodandran？AndwhatseeIonanysidebutthetransmigrationsofProteus？Icansymbolizemythoughtbyusingthenameofanycreature，ofanyfact，becauseeverycreatureismanagentorpatient。Tantalusisbutanameforyouandme。Tantalusmeanstheimpossibilityofdrinkingthewatersofthoughtwhicharealwaysgleamingandwavingwithinsightofthesoul。Thetransmigrationofsoulsisnofable。Iwoulditwere；butmenandwomenareonlyhalfhuman。Everyanimalofthebarn-yard，thefield，andtheforest，oftheearthandofthewatersthatareundertheearth，hascontrivedtogetafootingandtoleavetheprintofitsfeaturesandforminsomeoneorotheroftheseupright，heaven-facingspeakers。Ah！brother，stoptheebbofthysoul，——ebbingdownwardintotheformsintowhosehabitsthouhastnowformanyyearsslid。AsnearandpropertousisalsothatoldfableoftheSphinx，whowassaidtositintheroad-sideandputriddlestoeverypassenger。Ifthemancouldnotanswer，sheswallowedhimalive。Ifhecouldsolvetheriddle，theSphinxwasslain。Whatisourlifebutanendlessflightofwingedfactsorevents！Insplendidvarietythesechangescome，allputtingquestionstothehumanspirit。Thosemenwhocannotanswerbyasuperiorwisdomthesefactsorquestionsoftime，servethem。Factsencumberthem，tyrannizeoverthem，andmakethemenofroutinethemenof_sense_，inwhomaliteralobediencetofactshasextinguishedeverysparkofthatlightbywhichmanistrulyman。Butifthemanistruetohisbetterinstinctsorsentiments，andrefusesthedominionoffacts，asonethatcomesofahigherrace，remainsfastbythesoulandseestheprinciple，thenthefactsfallaptlyandsuppleintotheirplaces；theyknowtheirmaster，andthemeanestofthemglorifieshim。

SeeinGoethe'sHelenathesamedesirethateverywordshouldbeathing。Thesefigures，hewouldsay，theseChirons，Griffins，Phorkyas，Helen，andLeda，aresomewhat，anddoexertaspecificinfluenceonthemind。Sofarthenaretheyeternalentities，asrealto-dayasinthefirstOlympiad。Muchrevolvingthem，hewritesoutfreelyhishumor，andgivesthembodytohisownimagination。Andalthoughthatpoembeasvagueandfantasticasadream，yetisitmuchmoreattractivethanthemoreregulardramaticpiecesofthesameauthor，forthereasonthatitoperatesawonderfulrelieftothemindfromtheroutineofcustomaryimages，——awakensthereader'sinventionandfancybythewildfreedomofthedesign，andbytheunceasingsuccessionofbriskshocksofsurprise。

Theuniversalnature，toostrongforthepettynatureofthebard，sitsonhisneckandwritesthroughhishand；sothatwhenheseemstoventamerecapriceandwildromance，theissueisanexactallegory。HencePlatosaidthat“poetsuttergreatandwisethingswhichtheydonotthemselvesunderstand。“AllthefictionsoftheMiddleAgeexplainthemselvesasamaskedorfrolicexpressionofthatwhichingraveearnestthemindofthatperiodtoiledtoachieve。Magic，andallthatisascribedtoit，isadeeppresentimentofthepowersofscience。Theshoesofswiftness，theswordofsharpness，thepowerofsubduingtheelements，ofusingthesecretvirtuesofminerals，ofunderstandingthevoicesofbirds，aretheobscureeffortsofthemindinarightdirection。Thepreternaturalprowessofthehero，thegiftofperpetualyouth，andthelike，arealiketheendeavourofthehumanspirit“tobendtheshowsofthingstothedesiresofthemind。“

InPerceforestandAmadisdeGaul，agarlandandarosebloomontheheadofherwhoisfaithful，andfadeonthebrowoftheinconstant。InthestoryoftheBoyandtheMantle，evenamaturereadermaybesurprisedwithaglowofvirtuouspleasureatthetriumphofthegentleGenelas；and，indeed，allthepostulatesofelfinannals，——thatthefairiesdonotliketobenamed；thattheirgiftsarecapriciousandnottobetrusted；thatwhoseeksatreasuremustnotspeak；andthelike，——IfindtrueinConcord，howevertheymightbeinCornwallorBretagne。

Isitotherwiseinthenewestromance？IreadtheBrideofLammermoor。SirWilliamAshtonisamaskforavulgartemptation，RavenswoodCastleafinenameforproudpoverty，andtheforeignmissionofstateonlyaBunyandisguiseforhonestindustry。Wemayallshootawildbullthatwouldtossthegoodandbeautiful，byfightingdowntheunjustandsensual。LucyAshtonisanothernameforfidelity，whichisalwaysbeautifulandalwaysliabletocalamityinthisworld——

Butalongwiththecivilandmetaphysicalhistoryofman，anotherhistorygoesdailyforward，——thatoftheexternalworld，——

inwhichheisnotlessstrictlyimplicated。Heisthecompendoftime；heisalsothecorrelativeofnature。Hispowerconsistsinthemultitudeofhisaffinities，inthefactthathislifeisintertwinedwiththewholechainoforganicandinorganicbeing。InoldRomethepublicroadsbeginningattheForumproceedednorth，south，east，west，tothecentreofeveryprovinceoftheempire，makingeachmarket-townofPersia，Spain，andBritainpervioustothesoldiersofthecapital：sooutofthehumanheartgo，asitwere，highwaystotheheartofeveryobjectinnature，toreduceitunderthedominionofman。Amanisabundleofrelations，aknotofroots，whoseflowerandfruitageistheworld。Hisfacultiesrefertonaturesoutofhim，andpredicttheworldheistoinhabit，asthefinsofthefishforeshowthatwaterexists，orthewingsofaneagleintheeggpresupposeair。Hecannotlivewithoutaworld。PutNapoleoninanislandprison，lethisfacultiesfindnomentoacton，noAlpstoclimb，nostaketoplayfor，andhewouldbeattheairandappearstupid。Transporthimtolargecountries，densepopulation，complexinterests，andantagonistpower，andyoushallseethatthemanNapoleon，bounded，thatis，bysuchaprofileandoutline，isnotthevirtualNapoleon。ThisisbutTalbot'sshadow；

“Hissubstanceisnothere：

ForwhatyouseeisbutthesmallestpartAndleastproportionofhumanity；

Butwerethewholeframehere，Itisofsuchaspacious，loftypitch，Yourroofwerenotsufficienttocontainit。“

_HenryVI。_

Columbusneedsaplanettoshapehiscourseupon。NewtonandLaplaceneedmyriadsofagesandthick-strewncelestialareas。OnemaysayagravitatingsolarsystemisalreadyprophesiedinthenatureofNewton'smind。NotlessdoesthebrainofDavyorofGay-Lussac，fromchildhoodexploringtheaffinitiesandrepulsionsofparticles，anticipatethelawsoforganization。Doesnottheeyeofthehumanembryopredictthelight？theearofHandelpredictthewitchcraftofharmonicsound？DonottheconstructivefingersofWatt，Fulton，Whittemore，Arkwright，predictthefusible，hard，andtemperabletextureofmetals，thepropertiesofstone，water，andwood？Donotthelovelyattributesofthemaidenchildpredicttherefinementsanddecorationsofcivilsociety？Herealsoweareremindedoftheactionofmanonman。Amindmightponderitsthoughtforages，andnotgainsomuchself-knowledgeasthepassionofloveshallteachitinaday。Whoknowshimselfbeforehehasbeenthrilledwithindignationatanoutrage，orhasheardaneloquenttongue，orhassharedthethrobofthousandsinanationalexultationoralarm？Nomancanantedatehisexperience，orguesswhatfacultyorfeelinganewobjectshallunlock，anymorethanhecandrawto-daythefaceofapersonwhomheshallseeto-morrowforthefirsttime。

Iwillnotnowgobehindthegeneralstatementtoexplorethereasonofthiscorrespondency。Letitsufficethatinthelightofthesetwofacts，namely，thatthemindisOne，andthatnatureisitscorrelative，historyistobereadandwritten。

Thusinallwaysdoesthesoulconcentrateandreproduceitstreasuresforeachpupil。He，too，shallpassthroughthewholecycleofexperience。Heshallcollectintoafocustheraysofnature。Historynolongershallbeadullbook。Itshallwalkincarnateineveryjustandwiseman。Youshallnottellmebylanguagesandtitlesacatalogueofthevolumesyouhaveread。Youshallmakemefeelwhatperiodsyouhavelived。AmanshallbetheTempleofFame。Heshallwalk，asthepoetshavedescribedthatgoddess，inarobepaintedalloverwithwonderfuleventsandexperiences；——hisownformandfeaturesbytheirexaltedintelligenceshallbethatvariegatedvest。IshallfindinhimtheForeworld；inhischildhoodtheAgeofGold；theApplesofKnowledge；

theArgonauticExpedition；thecallingofAbraham；thebuildingoftheTemple；theAdventofChrist；DarkAges；theRevivalofLetters；

theReformation；thediscoveryofnewlands；theopeningofnewsciences，andnewregionsinman。HeshallbethepriestofPan，andbringwithhimintohumblecottagestheblessingofthemorningstarsandalltherecordedbenefitsofheavenandearth。

Istheresomewhatoverweeninginthisclaim？ThenIrejectallIhavewritten，forwhatistheuseofpretendingtoknowwhatweknownot？Butitisthefaultofourrhetoricthatwecannotstronglystateonefactwithoutseemingtobeliesomeother。Iholdouractualknowledgeverycheap。Heartheratsinthewall，seethelizardonthefence，thefungusunderfoot，thelichenonthelog。

WhatdoIknowsympathetically，morally，ofeitheroftheseworldsoflife？AsoldastheCaucasianman，——perhapsolder，——thesecreatureshavekepttheircounselbesidehim，andthereisnorecordofanywordorsignthathaspassedfromonetotheother。Whatconnectiondothebooksshowbetweenthefiftyorsixtychemicalelements，andthehistoricaleras？Nay，whatdoeshistoryyetrecordofthemetaphysicalannalsofman？WhatlightdoesitshedonthosemysterieswhichwehideunderthenamesDeathandImmortality？Yeteveryhistoryshouldbewritteninawisdomwhichdivinedtherangeofouraffinitiesandlookedatfactsassymbols。Iamashamedtoseewhatashallowvillagetaleourso-calledHistoryis。HowmanytimeswemustsayRome，andParis，andConstantinople！WhatdoesRomeknowofratandlizard？WhatareOlympiadsandConsulatestotheseneighbouringsystemsofbeing？Nay，whatfoodorexperienceorsuccourhavetheyfortheEsquimauxseal-hunter，fortheKanakainhiscanoe，forthefisherman，thestevedore，theporter？

Broaderanddeeperwemustwriteourannals，——fromanethicalreformation，fromaninfluxoftheevernew，eversanativeconscience，——ifwewouldtrulierexpressourcentralandwide-relatednature，insteadofthisoldchronologyofselfishnessandpridetowhichwehavetoolonglentoureyes。Alreadythatdayexistsforus，shinesinonusatunawares，butthepathofscienceandoflettersisnotthewayintonature。Theidiot，theIndian，thechild，andunschooledfarmer'sboy，standnearertothelightbywhichnatureistoberead，thanthedissectorortheantiquary。

SELF-RELIANCE

“Netequaesiverisextra。“

“Manishisownstar；andthesoulthatcanRenderanhonestandaperfectman，Commandsalllight，allinfluence，allfate；

Nothingtohimfallsearlyortoolate。

Ouractsourangelsare，orgoodorill，Ourfatalshadowsthatwalkbyusstill。“

_EpiloguetoBeaumontandFletcher's_

_HonestMan'sFortune_

Castthebantlingontherocks，Sucklehimwiththeshe-wolf'steat；

Winteredwiththehawkandfox，Powerandspeedbehandsandfeet。

ESSAYII_Self-Reliance_

Ireadtheotherdaysomeverseswrittenbyaneminentpainterwhichwereoriginalandnotconventional。Thesoulalwayshearsanadmonitioninsuchlines，letthesubjectbewhatitmay。Thesentimenttheyinstilisofmorevaluethananythoughttheymaycontain。Tobelieveyourownthought，tobelievethatwhatistrueforyouinyourprivateheartistrueforallmen，——thatisgenius。

Speakyourlatentconviction，anditshallbetheuniversalsense；

fortheinmostinduetimebecomestheoutmost，——andourfirstthoughtisrenderedbacktousbythetrumpetsoftheLastJudgment。

Familiarasthevoiceofthemindistoeach，thehighestmeritweascribetoMoses，Plato，andMiltonis，thattheysetatnaughtbooksandtraditions，andspokenotwhatmenbutwhattheythought。Amanshouldlearntodetectandwatchthatgleamoflightwhichflashesacrosshismindfromwithin，morethanthelustreofthefirmamentofbardsandsages。Yethedismisseswithoutnoticehisthought，becauseitishis。Ineveryworkofgeniuswerecognizeourownrejectedthoughts：theycomebacktouswithacertainalienatedmajesty。Greatworksofarthavenomoreaffectinglessonforusthanthis。Theyteachustoabidebyourspontaneousimpressionwithgood-humoredinflexibilitythenmostwhenthewholecryofvoicesisontheotherside。Else，to-morrowastrangerwillsaywithmasterlygoodsensepreciselywhatwehavethoughtandfeltallthetime，andweshallbeforcedtotakewithshameourownopinionfromanother。

Thereisatimeineveryman'seducationwhenhearrivesattheconvictionthatenvyisignorance；thatimitationissuicide；thathemusttakehimselfforbetter，forworse，ashisportion；thatthoughthewideuniverseisfullofgood，nokernelofnourishingcorncancometohimbutthroughhistoilbestowedonthatplotofgroundwhichisgiventohimtotill。Thepowerwhichresidesinhimisnewinnature，andnonebutheknowswhatthatiswhichhecando，nordoesheknowuntilhehastried。Notfornothingoneface，onecharacter，onefact，makesmuchimpressiononhim，andanothernone。

Thissculptureinthememoryisnotwithoutpreestablishedharmony。

Theeyewasplacedwhereonerayshouldfall，thatitmighttestifyofthatparticularray。Webuthalfexpressourselves，andareashamedofthatdivineideawhicheachofusrepresents。Itmaybesafelytrustedasproportionateandofgoodissues，soitbefaithfullyimparted，butGodwillnothavehisworkmademanifestbycowards。Amanisrelievedandgaywhenhehasputhisheartintohisworkanddonehisbest；butwhathehassaidordoneotherwise，shallgivehimnopeace。Itisadeliverancewhichdoesnotdeliver。

Intheattempthisgeniusdesertshim；nomusebefriends；noinvention，nohope。

Trustthyself：everyheartvibratestothatironstring。

Accepttheplacethedivineprovidencehasfoundforyou，thesocietyofyourcontemporaries，theconnectionofevents。Greatmenhavealwaysdoneso，andconfidedthemselveschildliketothegeniusoftheirage，betrayingtheirperceptionthattheabsolutelytrustworthywasseatedattheirheart，workingthroughtheirhands，predominatinginalltheirbeing。Andwearenowmen，andmustacceptinthehighestmindthesametranscendentdestiny；andnotminorsandinvalidsinaprotectedcorner，notcowardsfleeingbeforearevolution，butguides，redeemers，andbenefactors，obeyingtheAlmightyeffort，andadvancingonChaosandtheDark。

Whatprettyoraclesnatureyieldsusonthistext，inthefaceandbehaviourofchildren，babes，andevenbrutes！Thatdividedandrebelmind，thatdistrustofasentimentbecauseourarithmetichascomputedthestrengthandmeansopposedtoourpurpose，thesehavenot。Theirmindbeingwhole，theireyeisasyetunconquered，andwhenwelookintheirfaces，wearedisconcerted。Infancyconformstonobody：allconformtoit，sothatonebabecommonlymakesfourorfiveoutoftheadultswhoprattleandplaytoit。SoGodhasarmedyouthandpubertyandmanhoodnolesswithitsownpiquancyandcharm，andmadeitenviableandgraciousanditsclaimsnottobeputby，ifitwillstandbyitself。Donotthinktheyouthhasnoforce，becausehecannotspeaktoyouandme。Hark！inthenextroomhisvoiceissufficientlyclearandemphatic。Itseemsheknowshowtospeaktohiscontemporaries。Bashfulorbold，then，hewillknowhowtomakeusseniorsveryunnecessary。

Thenonchalanceofboyswhoaresureofadinner，andwoulddisdainasmuchasalordtodoorsayaughttoconciliateone，isthehealthyattitudeofhumannature。Aboyisintheparlourwhatthepitisintheplayhouse；independent，irresponsible，lookingoutfromhiscorneronsuchpeopleandfactsaspassby，hetriesandsentencesthemontheirmerits，intheswift，summarywayofboys，asgood，bad，interesting，silly，eloquent，troublesome。Hecumbershimselfneveraboutconsequences，aboutinterests：hegivesanindependent，genuineverdict。Youmustcourthim：hedoesnotcourtyou。Butthemanis，asitwere，clappedintojailbyhisconsciousness。Assoonashehasonceactedorspokenwitheclat，heisacommittedperson，watchedbythesympathyorthehatredofhundreds，whoseaffectionsmustnowenterintohisaccount。ThereisnoLetheforthis。Ah，thathecouldpassagainintohisneutrality！

Whocanthusavoidallpledges，andhavingobserved，observeagainfromthesameunaffected，unbiased，unbribable，unaffrightedinnocence，mustalwaysbeformidable。Hewouldutteropinionsonallpassingaffairs，whichbeingseentobenotprivate，butnecessary，wouldsinklikedartsintotheearofmen，andputtheminfear。

Thesearethevoiceswhichwehearinsolitude，buttheygrowfaintandinaudibleasweenterintotheworld。Societyeverywhereisinconspiracyagainstthemanhoodofeveryoneofitsmembers。

Societyisajoint-stockcompany，inwhichthemembersagree，forthebettersecuringofhisbreadtoeachshareholder，tosurrenderthelibertyandcultureoftheeater。Thevirtueinmostrequestisconformity。Self-relianceisitsaversion。Itlovesnotrealitiesandcreators，butnamesandcustoms。

Whosowouldbeamanmustbeanonconformist。Hewhowouldgatherimmortalpalmsmustnotbehinderedbythenameofgoodness，butmustexploreifitbegoodness。Nothingisatlastsacredbuttheintegrityofyourownmind。Absolveyoutoyourself，andyoushallhavethesuffrageoftheworld。IrememberananswerwhichwhenquiteyoungIwaspromptedtomaketoavaluedadviser，whowaswonttoimportunemewiththedearolddoctrinesofthechurch。Onmysaying，WhathaveItodowiththesacrednessoftraditions，ifI

livewhollyfromwithin？myfriendsuggested，——“Buttheseimpulsesmaybefrombelow，notfromabove。“Ireplied，“Theydonotseemtometobesuch；butifIamtheDevil'schild，IwilllivethenfromtheDevil。“Nolawcanbesacredtomebutthatofmynature。Goodandbadarebutnamesveryreadilytransferabletothatorthis；theonlyrightiswhatisaftermyconstitution，theonlywrongwhatisagainstit。Amanistocarryhimselfinthepresenceofallopposition，asifeverythingweretitularandephemeralbuthe。I

amashamedtothinkhoweasilywecapitulatetobadgesandnames，tolargesocietiesanddeadinstitutions。Everydecentandwell-spokenindividualaffectsandswaysmemorethanisright。Ioughttogouprightandvital，andspeaktherudetruthinallways。Ifmaliceandvanitywearthecoatofphilanthropy，shallthatpass？IfanangrybigotassumesthisbountifulcauseofAbolition，andcomestomewithhislastnewsfromBarbadoes，whyshouldInotsaytohim，`Golovethyinfant；lovethywood-chopper：begood-naturedandmodest：havethatgrace；andnevervarnishyourhard，uncharitableambitionwiththisincredibletendernessforblackfolkathousandmilesoff。Thyloveafarisspiteathome。'Roughandgracelesswouldbesuchgreeting，buttruthishandsomerthantheaffectationoflove。Yourgoodnessmusthavesomeedgetoit，——elseitisnone。Thedoctrineofhatredmustbepreachedasthecounteractionofthedoctrineoflovewhenthatpulesandwhines。Ishunfatherandmotherandwifeandbrother，whenmygeniuscallsme。Iwouldwriteonthelintelsofthedoor-post，_Whim_。Ihopeitissomewhatbetterthanwhimatlast，butwecannotspendthedayinexplanation。

ExpectmenottoshowcausewhyIseekorwhyIexcludecompany。

Then，again，donottellme，asagoodmandidto-day，ofmyobligationtoputallpoormeningoodsituations。Arethey_my_

poor？Itellthee，thoufoolishphilanthropist，thatIgrudgethedollar，thedime，thecent，IgivetosuchmenasdonotbelongtomeandtowhomIdonotbelong。ThereisaclassofpersonstowhombyallspiritualaffinityIamboughtandsold；forthemIwillgotoprison，ifneedbe；butyourmiscellaneouspopularcharities；theeducationatcollegeoffools；thebuildingofmeeting-housestothevainendtowhichmanynowstand；almstosots；andthethousandfoldReliefSocieties；——thoughIconfesswithshameIsometimessuccumbandgivethedollar，itisawickeddollarwhichbyandbyIshallhavethemanhoodtowithhold。

Virtuesare，inthepopularestimate，rathertheexceptionthantherule。Thereistheman_and_hisvirtues。Mendowhatiscalledagoodaction，assomepieceofcourageorcharity，muchastheywouldpayafineinexpiationofdailynon-appearanceonparade。

Theirworksaredoneasanapologyorextenuationoftheirlivingintheworld，——asinvalidsandtheinsanepayahighboard。Theirvirtuesarepenances。Idonotwishtoexpiate，buttolive。Mylifeisforitselfandnotforaspectacle。Imuchpreferthatitshouldbeofalowerstrain，soitbegenuineandequal，thanthatitshouldbeglitteringandunsteady。Iwishittobesoundandsweet，andnottoneeddietandbleeding。Iaskprimaryevidencethatyouareaman，andrefusethisappealfromthemantohisactions。I

knowthatformyselfitmakesnodifferencewhetherIdoorforbearthoseactionswhicharereckonedexcellent。IcannotconsenttopayforaprivilegewhereIhaveintrinsicright。Fewandmeanasmygiftsmaybe，Iactuallyam，anddonotneedformyownassuranceortheassuranceofmyfellowsanysecondarytestimony。

WhatImustdoisallthatconcernsme，notwhatthepeoplethink。Thisrule，equallyarduousinactualandinintellectuallife，mayserveforthewholedistinctionbetweengreatnessandmeanness。Itistheharder，becauseyouwillalwaysfindthosewhothinktheyknowwhatisyourdutybetterthanyouknowit。Itiseasyintheworldtoliveaftertheworld'sopinion；itiseasyinsolitudetoliveafterourown；butthegreatmanishewhointhemidstofthecrowdkeepswithperfectsweetnesstheindependenceofsolitude。

Theobjectiontoconformingtousagesthathavebecomedeadtoyouis，thatitscattersyourforce。Itlosesyourtimeandblurstheimpressionofyourcharacter。Ifyoumaintainadeadchurch，contributetoadeadBible-society，votewithagreatpartyeitherforthegovernmentoragainstit，spreadyourtablelikebasehousekeepers，——underallthesescreensIhavedifficultytodetecttheprecisemanyouare。And，ofcourse，somuchforceiswithdrawnfromyourproperlife。Butdoyourwork，andIshallknowyou。Doyourwork，andyoushallreinforceyourself。Amanmustconsiderwhatablindman's-buffisthisgameofconformity。IfIknowyoursect，Ianticipateyourargument。Ihearapreacherannounceforhistextandtopictheexpediencyofoneoftheinstitutionsofhischurch。DoInotknowbeforehandthatnotpossiblycanhesayanewandspontaneousword？DoInotknowthat，withallthisostentationofexaminingthegroundsoftheinstitution，hewilldonosuchthing？DoInotknowthatheispledgedtohimselfnottolookbutatoneside，——thepermittedside，notasaman，butasaparishminister？Heisaretainedattorney，andtheseairsofthebencharetheemptiestaffectation。Well，mostmenhaveboundtheireyeswithoneoranotherhandkerchief，andattachedthemselvestosomeoneofthesecommunitiesofopinion。Thisconformitymakesthemnotfalseinafewparticulars，authorsofafewlies，butfalseinallparticulars。Theireverytruthisnotquitetrue。Theirtwoisnottherealtwo，theirfournottherealfour；sothateverywordtheysaychagrinsus，andweknownotwheretobegintosetthemright。

Meantimenatureisnotslowtoequipusintheprison-uniformofthepartytowhichweadhere。Wecometowearonecutoffaceandfigure，andacquirebydegreesthegentlestasinineexpression。

Thereisamortifyingexperienceinparticular，whichdoesnotfailtowreakitselfalsointhegeneralhistory；Imean“thefoolishfaceofpraise，“theforcedsmilewhichweputonincompanywherewedonotfeelateaseinanswertoconversationwhichdoesnotinterestus。Themuscles，notspontaneouslymoved，butmovedbyalowusurpingwilfulness，growtightabouttheoutlineofthefacewiththemostdisagreeablesensation。

Fornonconformitytheworldwhipsyouwithitsdispleasure。

Andthereforeamanmustknowhowtoestimateasourface。Theby-standerslookaskanceonhiminthepublicstreetorinthefriend'sparlour。Ifthisaversationhaditsoriginincontemptandresistancelikehisown，hemightwellgohomewithasadcountenance；butthesourfacesofthemultitude，liketheirsweetfaces，havenodeepcause，butareputonandoffasthewindblowsandanewspaperdirects。Yetisthediscontentofthemultitudemoreformidablethanthatofthesenateandthecollege。Itiseasyenoughforafirmmanwhoknowstheworldtobrooktherageofthecultivatedclasses。Theirrageisdecorousandprudent，fortheyaretimidasbeingveryvulnerablethemselves。Butwhentotheirfeminineragetheindignationofthepeopleisadded，whentheignorantandthepoorarearoused，whentheunintelligentbruteforcethatliesatthebottomofsocietyismadetogrowlandmow，itneedsthehabitofmagnanimityandreligiontotreatitgodlikeasatrifleofnoconcernment。

Theotherterrorthatscaresusfromself-trustisourconsistency；areverenceforourpastactorword，becausetheeyesofothershavenootherdataforcomputingourorbitthanourpastacts，andweareloathtodisappointthem。

Butwhyshouldyoukeepyourheadoveryourshoulder？Whydragaboutthiscorpseofyourmemory，lestyoucontradictsomewhatyouhavestatedinthisorthatpublicplace？Supposeyoushouldcontradictyourself；whatthen？Itseemstobearuleofwisdomnevertorelyonyourmemoryalone，scarcelyeveninactsofpurememory，buttobringthepastforjudgmentintothethousand-eyedpresent，andliveeverinanewday。InyourmetaphysicsyouhavedeniedpersonalitytotheDeity：yetwhenthedevoutmotionsofthesoulcome，yieldtothemheartandlife，thoughtheyshouldclotheGodwithshapeandcolor。Leaveyourtheory，asJosephhiscoatinthehandoftheharlot，andflee。

Afoolishconsistencyisthehobgoblinoflittleminds，adoredbylittlestatesmenandphilosophersanddivines。Withconsistencyagreatsoulhassimplynothingtodo。Hemayaswellconcernhimselfwithhisshadowonthewall。Speakwhatyouthinknowinhardwords，andto-morrowspeakwhatto-morrowthinksinhardwordsagain，thoughitcontradicteverythingyousaidto-day——`Ah，soyoushallbesuretobemisunderstood。'——Isitsobad，then，tobemisunderstood？Pythagoraswasmisunderstood，andSocrates，andJesus，andLuther，andCopernicus，andGalileo，andNewton，andeverypureandwisespiritthatevertookflesh。Tobegreatistobemisunderstood。

Isupposenomancanviolatehisnature。Allthesalliesofhiswillareroundedinbythelawofhisbeing，astheinequalitiesofAndesandHimmalehareinsignificantinthecurveofthesphere。

Nordoesitmatterhowyougaugeandtryhim。AcharacterislikeanacrosticorAlexandrianstanza；——readitforward，backward，oracross，itstillspellsthesamething。Inthispleasing，contritewood-lifewhichGodallowsme，letmerecorddaybydaymyhonestthoughtwithoutprospectorretrospect，and，Icannotdoubt，itwillbefoundsymmetrical，thoughImeanitnot，andseeitnot。Mybookshouldsmellofpinesandresoundwiththehumofinsects。Theswallowovermywindowshouldinterweavethatthreadorstrawhecarriesinhisbillintomywebalso。Wepassforwhatweare。

Characterteachesaboveourwills。Menimaginethattheycommunicatetheirvirtueorviceonlybyovertactions，anddonotseethatvirtueorviceemitabreatheverymoment。

Therewillbeanagreementinwhatevervarietyofactions，sotheybeeachhonestandnaturalintheirhour。Forofonewill，theactionswillbeharmonious，howeverunliketheyseem。Thesevarietiesarelostsightofatalittledistance，atalittleheightofthought。Onetendencyunitesthemall。Thevoyageofthebestshipisazigzaglineofahundredtacks。Seethelinefromasufficientdistance，anditstraightensitselftotheaveragetendency。Yourgenuineactionwillexplainitself，andwillexplainyourothergenuineactions。Yourconformityexplainsnothing。Actsingly，andwhatyouhavealreadydonesinglywilljustifyyounow。

Greatnessappealstothefuture。IfIcanbefirmenoughto-daytodoright，andscorneyes，Imusthavedonesomuchrightbeforeastodefendmenow。Beithowitwill，dorightnow。Alwaysscornappearances，andyoualwaysmay。Theforceofcharacteriscumulative。Alltheforegonedaysofvirtueworktheirhealthintothis。Whatmakesthemajestyoftheheroesofthesenateandthefield，whichsofillstheimagination？Theconsciousnessofatrainofgreatdaysandvictoriesbehind。Theyshedanunitedlightontheadvancingactor。Heisattendedasbyavisibleescortofangels。

ThatisitwhichthrowsthunderintoChatham'svoice，anddignityintoWashington'sport，andAmericaintoAdams'seye。Honorisvenerabletousbecauseitisnoephemeris。Itisalwaysancientvirtue。Weworshipitto-daybecauseitisnotofto-day。Weloveitandpayithomage，becauseitisnotatrapforourloveandhomage，butisself-dependent，self-derived，andthereforeofanoldimmaculatepedigree，evenifshowninayoungperson。

Ihopeinthesedayswehaveheardthelastofconformityandconsistency。Letthewordsbegazettedandridiculoushenceforward。

Insteadofthegongfordinner，letushearawhistlefromtheSpartanfife。Letusneverbowandapologizemore。Agreatmaniscomingtoeatatmyhouse。Idonotwishtopleasehim；Iwishthatheshouldwishtopleaseme。Iwillstandhereforhumanity，andthoughIwouldmakeitkind，Iwouldmakeittrue。Letusaffrontandreprimandthesmoothmediocrityandsqualidcontentmentofthetimes，andhurlinthefaceofcustom，andtrade，andoffice，thefactwhichistheupshotofallhistory，thatthereisagreatresponsibleThinkerandActorworkingwhereveramanworks；thatatruemanbelongstonoothertimeorplace，butisthecentreofthings。Whereheis，thereisnature。Hemeasuresyou，andallmen，andallevents。Ordinarily，everybodyinsocietyremindsusofsomewhatelse，orofsomeotherperson。Character，reality，remindsyouofnothingelse；ittakesplaceofthewholecreation。Themanmustbesomuch，thathemustmakeallcircumstancesindifferent。

Everytruemanisacause，acountry，andanage；requiresinfinitespacesandnumbersandtimefullytoaccomplishhisdesign；——andposterityseemtofollowhisstepsasatrainofclients。AmanCaesarisborn，andforagesafterwehaveaRomanEmpire。Christisborn，andmillionsofmindssogrowandcleavetohisgenius，thatheisconfoundedwithvirtueandthepossibleofman。Aninstitutionisthelengthenedshadowofoneman；as，Monachism，oftheHermitAntony；theReformation，ofLuther；Quakerism，ofFox；Methodism，ofWesley；Abolition，ofClarkson。Scipio，Miltoncalled“theheightofRome“；andallhistoryresolvesitselfveryeasilyintothebiographyofafewstoutandearnestpersons。

Letamanthenknowhisworth，andkeepthingsunderhisfeet。

Lethimnotpeeporsteal，orskulkupanddownwiththeairofacharity-boy，abastard，oraninterloper，intheworldwhichexistsforhim。Butthemaninthestreet，findingnoworthinhimselfwhichcorrespondstotheforcewhichbuiltatowerorsculpturedamarblegod，feelspoorwhenhelooksonthese。Tohimapalace，astatue，oracostlybookhaveanalienandforbiddingair，muchlikeagayequipage，andseemtosaylikethat，`Whoareyou，Sir？'Yettheyallarehis，suitorsforhisnotice，petitionerstohisfacultiesthattheywillcomeoutandtakepossession。Thepicturewaitsformyverdict：itisnottocommandme，butIamtosettleitsclaimstopraise。Thatpopularfableofthesotwhowaspickedupdeaddrunkinthestreet，carriedtotheduke'shouse，washedanddressedandlaidintheduke'sbed，and，onhiswaking，treatedwithallobsequiousceremonyliketheduke，andassuredthathehadbeeninsane，owesitspopularitytothefact，thatitsymbolizessowellthestateofman，whoisintheworldasortofsot，butnowandthenwakesup，exerciseshisreason，andfindshimselfatrueprince。

Ourreadingismendicantandsycophantic。Inhistory，ourimaginationplaysusfalse。Kingdomandlordship，powerandestate，areagaudiervocabularythanprivateJohnandEdwardinasmallhouseandcommonday'swork；butthethingsoflifearethesametoboth；thesumtotalofbothisthesame。WhyallthisdeferencetoAlfred，andScanderbeg，andGustavus？Supposetheywerevirtuous；

didtheywearoutvirtue？Asgreatastakedependsonyourprivateactto-day，asfollowedtheirpublicandrenownedsteps。Whenprivatemenshallactwithoriginalviews，thelustrewillbetransferredfromtheactionsofkingstothoseofgentlemen。

Theworldhasbeeninstructedbyitskings，whohavesomagnetizedtheeyesofnations。Ithasbeentaughtbythiscolossalsymbolthemutualreverencethatisduefrommantoman。Thejoyfulloyaltywithwhichmenhaveeverywheresufferedtheking，thenoble，orthegreatproprietortowalkamongthembyalawofhisown，makehisownscaleofmenandthings，andreversetheirs，payforbenefitsnotwithmoneybutwithhonor，andrepresentthelawinhisperson，wasthehieroglyphicbywhichtheyobscurelysignifiedtheirconsciousnessoftheirownrightandcomeliness，therightofeveryman。

Themagnetismwhichalloriginalactionexertsisexplainedwhenweinquirethereasonofself-trust。WhoistheTrustee？WhatistheaboriginalSelf，onwhichauniversalreliancemaybegrounded？Whatisthenatureandpowerofthatscience-bafflingstar，withoutparallax，withoutcalculableelements，whichshootsarayofbeautyevenintotrivialandimpureactions，iftheleastmarkofindependenceappear？Theinquiryleadsustothatsource，atoncetheessenceofgenius，ofvirtue，andoflife，whichwecallSpontaneityorInstinct。WedenotethisprimarywisdomasIntuition，whilstalllaterteachingsaretuitions。Inthatdeepforce，thelastfactbehindwhichanalysiscannotgo，allthingsfindtheircommonorigin。For，thesenseofbeingwhichincalmhoursrises，weknownothow，inthesoul，isnotdiversefromthings，fromspace，fromlight，fromtime，fromman，butonewiththem，andproceedsobviouslyfromthesamesourcewhencetheirlifeandbeingalsoproceed。Wefirstsharethelifebywhichthingsexist，andafterwardsseethemasappearancesinnature，andforgetthatwehavesharedtheircause。Hereisthefountainofactionandofthought。

Herearethelungsofthatinspirationwhichgivethmanwisdom，andwhichcannotbedeniedwithoutimpietyandatheism。Welieinthelapofimmenseintelligence，whichmakesusreceiversofitstruthandorgansofitsactivity。Whenwediscernjustice，whenwediscerntruth，wedonothingofourselves，butallowapassagetoitsbeams。

Ifweaskwhencethiscomes，ifweseektopryintothesoulthatcauses，allphilosophyisatfault。Itspresenceoritsabsenceisallwecanaffirm。Everymandiscriminatesbetweenthevoluntaryactsofhismind，andhisinvoluntaryperceptions，andknowsthattohisinvoluntaryperceptionsaperfectfaithisdue。Hemayerrintheexpressionofthem，butheknowsthatthesethingsareso，likedayandnight，nottobedisputed。Mywilfulactionsandacquisitionsarebutroving；——theidlestreverie，thefaintestnativeemotion，commandmycuriosityandrespect。Thoughtlesspeoplecontradictasreadilythestatementofperceptionsasofopinions，orrathermuchmorereadily；for，theydonotdistinguishbetweenperceptionandnotion。TheyfancythatIchoosetoseethisorthatthing。Butperceptionisnotwhimsical，butfatal。IfIseeatrait，mychildrenwillseeitafterme，andincourseoftime，allmankind，——althoughitmaychancethatnoonehasseenitbeforeme。

Formyperceptionofitisasmuchafactasthesun。

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