Therelationsofthesoultothedivinespiritaresopure，thatitisprofanetoseektointerposehelps。ItmustbethatwhenGodspeakethheshouldcommunicate，notonething，butallthings；

shouldfilltheworldwithhisvoice；shouldscatterforthlight，nature，time，souls，fromthecentreofthepresentthought；andnewdateandnewcreatethewhole。Wheneveramindissimple，andreceivesadivinewisdom，oldthingspassaway，——means，teachers，texts，templesfall；itlivesnow，andabsorbspastandfutureintothepresenthour。Allthingsaremadesacredbyrelationtoit，——

oneasmuchasanother。Allthingsaredissolvedtotheircentrebytheircause，and，intheuniversalmiracle，pettyandparticularmiraclesdisappear。If，therefore，amanclaimstoknowandspeakofGod，andcarriesyoubackwardtothephraseologyofsomeoldmoulderednationinanothercountry，inanotherworld，believehimnot。Istheacornbetterthantheoakwhichisitsfulnessandcompletion？Istheparentbetterthanthechildintowhomhehascasthisripenedbeing？Whence，then，thisworshipofthepast？Thecenturiesareconspiratorsagainstthesanityandauthorityofthesoul。Timeandspacearebutphysiologicalcolorswhichtheeyemakes，butthesoulislight；whereitis，isday；whereitwas，isnight；andhistoryisanimpertinenceandaninjury，ifitbeanythingmorethanacheerfulapologueorparableofmybeingandbecoming。

Manistimidandapologetic；heisnolongerupright；hedaresnotsay`Ithink，'`Iam，'butquotessomesaintorsage。Heisashamedbeforethebladeofgrassortheblowingrose。Theserosesundermywindowmakenoreferencetoformerrosesortobetterones；

theyareforwhattheyare；theyexistwithGodto-day。Thereisnotimetothem。Thereissimplytherose；itisperfectineverymomentofitsexistence。Beforealeaf-budhasburst，itswholelifeacts；inthefull-blownflowerthereisnomore；intheleaflessrootthereisnoless。Itsnatureissatisfied，anditsatisfiesnature，inallmomentsalike。Butmanpostponesorremembers；hedoesnotliveinthepresent，butwithrevertedeyelamentsthepast，or，heedlessoftherichesthatsurroundhim，standsontiptoetoforeseethefuture。Hecannotbehappyandstronguntilhetooliveswithnatureinthepresent，abovetime。

Thisshouldbeplainenough。YetseewhatstrongintellectsdarenotyethearGodhimself，unlesshespeakthephraseologyofI

knownotwhatDavid，orJeremiah，orPaul。Weshallnotalwayssetsogreatapriceonafewtexts，onafewlives。Wearelikechildrenwhorepeatbyrotethesentencesofgrandamesandtutors，and，astheygrowolder，ofthemenoftalentsandcharactertheychancetosee，——painfullyrecollectingtheexactwordstheyspoke；

afterwards，whentheycomeintothepointofviewwhichthosehadwhoutteredthesesayings，theyunderstandthem，andarewillingtoletthewordsgo；for，atanytime，theycanusewordsasgoodwhenoccasioncomes。Ifwelivetruly，weshallseetruly。Itisaseasyforthestrongmantobestrong，asitisfortheweaktobeweak。

Whenwehavenewperception，weshallgladlydisburdenthememoryofitshoardedtreasuresasoldrubbish。WhenamanliveswithGod，hisvoiceshallbeassweetasthemurmurofthebrookandtherustleofthecorn。

Andnowatlastthehighesttruthonthissubjectremainsunsaid；probablycannotbesaid；forallthatwesayisthefar-offrememberingoftheintuition。Thatthought，bywhatIcannownearestapproachtosayit，isthis。Whengoodisnearyou，whenyouhavelifeinyourself，itisnotbyanyknownoraccustomedway；youshallnotdiscernthefoot-printsofanyother；youshallnotseethefaceofman；youshallnothearanyname；——theway，thethought，thegood，shallbewhollystrangeandnew。Itshallexcludeexampleandexperience。Youtakethewayfromman，nottoman。Allpersonsthateverexistedareitsforgottenministers。Fearandhopearealikebeneathit。Thereissomewhatloweveninhope。Inthehourofvision，thereisnothingthatcanbecalledgratitude，norproperlyjoy。Thesoulraisedoverpassionbeholdsidentityandeternalcausation，perceivestheself-existenceofTruthandRight，andcalmsitselfwithknowingthatallthingsgowell。Vastspacesofnature，theAtlanticOcean，theSouthSea，——longintervalsoftime，years，centuries，——areofnoaccount。ThiswhichIthinkandfeelunderlayeveryformerstateoflifeandcircumstances，asitdoesunderliemypresent，andwhatiscalledlife，andwhatiscalleddeath。

Lifeonlyavails，notthehavinglived。Powerceasesintheinstantofrepose；itresidesinthemomentoftransitionfromapasttoanewstate，intheshootingofthegulf，inthedartingtoanaim。Thisonefacttheworldhates，thatthesoul_becomes_；forthatforeverdegradesthepast，turnsallrichestopoverty，allreputationtoashame，confoundsthesaintwiththerogue，shovesJesusandJudasequallyaside。Why，then，doweprateofself-reliance？Inasmuchasthesoulispresent，therewillbepowernotconfidentbutagent。Totalkofrelianceisapoorexternalwayofspeaking。Speakratherofthatwhichrelies，becauseitworksandis。WhohasmoreobediencethanImastersme，thoughheshouldnotraisehisfinger。RoundhimImustrevolvebythegravitationofspirits。Wefancyitrhetoric，whenwespeakofeminentvirtue。WedonotyetseethatvirtueisHeight，andthatamanoracompanyofmen，plasticandpermeabletoprinciples，bythelawofnaturemustoverpowerandrideallcities，nations，kings，richmen，poets，whoarenot。

Thisistheultimatefactwhichwesoquicklyreachonthis，asoneverytopic，theresolutionofallintotheever-blessedONE。

Self-existenceistheattributeoftheSupremeCause，anditconstitutesthemeasureofgoodbythedegreeinwhichitentersintoalllowerforms。Allthingsrealaresobysomuchvirtueastheycontain。Commerce，husbandry，hunting，whaling，war，eloquence，personalweight，aresomewhat，andengagemyrespectasexamplesofitspresenceandimpureaction。Iseethesamelawworkinginnatureforconservationandgrowth。Powerisinnaturetheessentialmeasureofright。Naturesuffersnothingtoremaininherkingdomswhichcannothelpitself。Thegenesisandmaturationofaplanet，itspoiseandorbit，thebendedtreerecoveringitselffromthestrongwind，thevitalresourcesofeveryanimalandvegetable，aredemonstrationsoftheself-sufficing，andthereforeself-relyingsoul。

Thusallconcentrates：letusnotrove；letussitathomewiththecause。Letusstunandastonishtheintrudingrabbleofmenandbooksandinstitutions，byasimpledeclarationofthedivinefact。

Bidtheinvaderstaketheshoesfromofftheirfeet，forGodisherewithin。Letoursimplicityjudgethem，andourdocilitytoourownlawdemonstratethepovertyofnatureandfortunebesideournativeriches。

Butnowweareamob。Mandoesnotstandinaweofman，norishisgeniusadmonishedtostayathome，toputitselfincommunicationwiththeinternalocean，butitgoesabroadtobegacupofwateroftheurnsofothermen。Wemustgoalone。Ilikethesilentchurchbeforetheservicebegins，betterthananypreaching。Howfaroff，howcool，howchastethepersonslook，begirteachonewithaprecinctorsanctuary！Soletusalwayssit。Whyshouldweassumethefaultsofourfriend，orwife，orfather，orchild，becausetheysitaroundourhearth，oraresaidtohavethesameblood？Allmenhavemyblood，andIhaveallmen's。NotforthatwillIadopttheirpetulanceorfolly，eventotheextentofbeingashamedofit。Butyourisolationmustnotbemechanical，butspiritual，thatis，mustbeelevation。Attimesthewholeworldseemstobeinconspiracytoimportuneyouwithemphatictrifles。Friend，client，child，sickness，fear，want，charity，allknockatonceatthyclosetdoor，andsay，——`Comeoutuntous。'Butkeepthystate；comenotintotheirconfusion。Thepowermenpossesstoannoyme，Igivethembyaweakcuriosity。Nomancancomenearmebutthroughmyact。“Whatwelovethatwehave，butbydesirewebereaveourselvesofthelove。“

Ifwecannotatoncerisetothesanctitiesofobedienceandfaith，letusatleastresistourtemptations；letusenterintothestateofwar，andwakeThorandWoden，courageandconstancy，inourSaxonbreasts。Thisistobedoneinoursmoothtimesbyspeakingthetruth。Checkthislyinghospitalityandlyingaffection。Livenolongertotheexpectationofthesedeceivedanddeceivingpeoplewithwhomweconverse。Saytothem，Ofather，Omother，Owife，O

brother，Ofriend，Ihavelivedwithyouafterappearanceshitherto。

HenceforwardIamthetruth's。BeitknownuntoyouthathenceforwardIobeynolawlessthantheeternallaw。Iwillhavenocovenantsbutproximities。Ishallendeavourtonourishmyparents，tosupportmyfamily，tobethechastehusbandofonewife，——buttheserelationsImustfillafteranewandunprecedentedway。I

appealfromyourcustoms。Imustbemyself。Icannotbreakmyselfanylongerforyou，oryou。IfyoucanlovemeforwhatIam，weshallbethehappier。Ifyoucannot，Iwillstillseektodeservethatyoushould。Iwillnothidemytastesoraversions。Iwillsotrustthatwhatisdeepisholy，thatIwilldostronglybeforethesunandmoonwhateverinlyrejoicesme，andtheheartappoints。Ifyouarenoble，Iwillloveyou；ifyouarenot，Iwillnothurtyouandmyselfbyhypocriticalattentions。Ifyouaretrue，butnotinthesametruthwithme，cleavetoyourcompanions；Iwillseekmyown。Idothisnotselfishly，buthumblyandtruly。Itisalikeyourinterest，andmine，andallmen's，howeverlongwehavedweltinlies，toliveintruth。Doesthissoundharshto-day？Youwillsoonlovewhatisdictatedbyyournatureaswellasmine，and，ifwefollowthetruth，itwillbringusoutsafeatlast——Butsoyoumaygivethesefriendspain。Yes，butIcannotsellmylibertyandmypower，tosavetheirsensibility。Besides，allpersonshavetheirmomentsofreason，whentheylookoutintotheregionofabsolutetruth；thenwilltheyjustifyme，anddothesamething。

Thepopulacethinkthatyourrejectionofpopularstandardsisarejectionofallstandard，andmereantinomianism；andtheboldsensualistwillusethenameofphilosophytogildhiscrimes。Butthelawofconsciousnessabides。Therearetwoconfessionals，inoneortheotherofwhichwemustbeshriven。Youmayfulfilyourroundofdutiesbyclearingyourselfinthe_direct_，orinthe_reflex_

way。Considerwhetheryouhavesatisfiedyourrelationstofather，mother，cousin，neighbour，town，cat，anddog；whetheranyofthesecanupbraidyou。ButImayalsoneglectthisreflexstandard，andabsolvemetomyself。Ihavemyownsternclaimsandperfectcircle。

Itdeniesthenameofdutytomanyofficesthatarecalledduties。

ButifIcandischargeitsdebts，itenablesmetodispensewiththepopularcode。Ifanyoneimaginesthatthislawislax，lethimkeepitscommandmentoneday。

Andtrulyitdemandssomethinggodlikeinhimwhohascastoffthecommonmotivesofhumanity，andhasventuredtotrusthimselfforataskmaster。Highbehisheart，faithfulhiswill，clearhissight，thathemayingoodearnestbedoctrine，society，law，tohimself，thatasimplepurposemaybetohimasstrongasironnecessityistoothers！

Ifanymanconsiderthepresentaspectsofwhatiscalledbydistinction_society_，hewillseetheneedoftheseethics。Thesinewandheartofmanseemtobedrawnout，andwearebecometimorous，despondingwhimperers。Weareafraidoftruth，afraidoffortune，afraidofdeath，andafraidofeachother。Ourageyieldsnogreatandperfectpersons。Wewantmenandwomenwhoshallrenovatelifeandoursocialstate，butweseethatmostnaturesareinsolvent，cannotsatisfytheirownwants，haveanambitionoutofallproportiontotheirpracticalforce，anddoleanandbegdayandnightcontinually。Ourhousekeepingismendicant，ourarts，ouroccupations，ourmarriages，ourreligion，wehavenotchosen，butsocietyhaschosenforus。Weareparloursoldiers。Weshuntheruggedbattleoffate，wherestrengthisborn。

Ifouryoungmenmiscarryintheirfirstenterprises，theyloseallheart。Iftheyoungmerchantfails，mensayheis_ruined_。Ifthefinestgeniusstudiesatoneofourcolleges，andisnotinstalledinanofficewithinoneyearafterwardsinthecitiesorsuburbsofBostonorNewYork，itseemstohisfriendsandtohimselfthatheisrightinbeingdisheartened，andincomplainingtherestofhislife。AsturdyladfromNewHampshireorVermont，whointurntriesalltheprofessions，who_teamsit_，_farmsit_，_peddles_，keepsaschool，preaches，editsanewspaper，goestoCongress，buysatownship，andsoforth，insuccessiveyears，andalways，likeacat，fallsonhisfeet，isworthahundredofthesecitydolls。Hewalksabreastwithhisdays，andfeelsnoshameinnot`studyingaprofession，'forhedoesnotpostponehislife，butlivesalready。

Hehasnotonechance，butahundredchances。LetaStoicopentheresourcesofman，andtellmentheyarenotleaningwillows，butcanandmustdetachthemselves；thatwiththeexerciseofself-trust，newpowersshallappear；thatamanisthewordmadeflesh，borntoshedhealingtothenations，thatheshouldbeashamedofourcompassion，andthatthemomentheactsfromhimself，tossingthelaws，thebooks，idolatries，andcustomsoutofthewindow，wepityhimnomore，butthankandreverehim，——andthatteachershallrestorethelifeofmantosplendor，andmakehisnamedeartoallhistory。

Itiseasytoseethatagreaterself-reliancemustworkarevolutioninalltheofficesandrelationsofmen；intheirreligion；intheireducation；intheirpursuits；theirmodesofliving；theirassociation；intheirproperty；intheirspeculativeviews。

1。Inwhatprayersdomenallowthemselves！Thatwhichtheycallaholyofficeisnotsomuchasbraveandmanly。Prayerlooksabroadandasksforsomeforeignadditiontocomethroughsomeforeignvirtue，andlosesitselfinendlessmazesofnaturalandsupernatural，andmediatorialandmiraculous。Prayerthatcravesaparticularcommodity，——anythinglessthanallgood，——isvicious。

Prayeristhecontemplationofthefactsoflifefromthehighestpointofview。Itisthesoliloquyofabeholdingandjubilantsoul。

ItisthespiritofGodpronouncinghisworksgood。Butprayerasameanstoeffectaprivateendismeannessandtheft。Itsupposesdualismandnotunityinnatureandconsciousness。AssoonasthemanisatonewithGod，hewillnotbeg。Hewillthenseeprayerinallaction。Theprayerofthefarmerkneelinginhisfieldtoweedit，theprayeroftherowerkneelingwiththestrokeofhisoar，aretrueprayersheardthroughoutnature，thoughforcheapends。

Caratach，inFletcher'sBonduca，whenadmonishedtoinquirethemindofthegodAudate，replies，——

“Hishiddenmeaningliesinourendeavours；

Ourvalorsareourbestgods。“

Anothersortoffalseprayersareourregrets。Discontentisthewantofself-reliance：itisinfirmityofwill。Regretcalamities，ifyoucantherebyhelpthesufferer；ifnot，attendyourownwork，andalreadytheevilbeginstoberepaired。Oursympathyisjustasbase。Wecometothemwhoweepfoolishly，andsitdownandcryforcompany，insteadofimpartingtothemtruthandhealthinroughelectricshocks，puttingthemoncemoreincommunicationwiththeirownreason。Thesecretoffortuneisjoyinourhands。

Welcomeevermoretogodsandmenistheself-helpingman。Forhimalldoorsareflungwide：himalltonguesgreet，allhonorscrown，alleyesfollowwithdesire。Ourlovegoesouttohimandembraceshim，becausehedidnotneedit。Wesolicitouslyandapologeticallycaressandcelebratehim，becauseheheldonhiswayandscornedourdisapprobation。Thegodslovehimbecausemenhatedhim。“Totheperseveringmortal，“saidZoroaster，“theblessedImmortalsareswift。“

Asmen'sprayersareadiseaseofthewill，soaretheircreedsadiseaseoftheintellect。TheysaywiththosefoolishIsraelites，`LetnotGodspeaktous，lestwedie。Speakthou，speakanymanwithus，andwewillobey。'EverywhereIamhinderedofmeetingGodinmybrother，becausehehasshuthisowntempledoors，andrecitesfablesmerelyofhisbrother's，orhisbrother'sbrother'sGod。

Everynewmindisanewclassification。Ifitproveamindofuncommonactivityandpower，aLocke，aLavoisier，aHutton，aBentham，aFourier，itimposesitsclassificationonothermen，andlo！anewsystem。Inproportiontothedepthofthethought，andsotothenumberoftheobjectsittouchesandbringswithinreachofthepupil，ishiscomplacency。Butchieflyisthisapparentincreedsandchurches，whicharealsoclassificationsofsomepowerfulmindactingontheelementalthoughtofduty，andman'srelationtotheHighest。SuchisCalvinism，Quakerism，Swedenborgism。Thepupiltakesthesamedelightinsubordinatingeverythingtothenewterminology，asagirlwhohasjustlearnedbotanyinseeinganewearthandnewseasonsthereby。Itwillhappenforatime，thatthepupilwillfindhisintellectualpowerhasgrownbythestudyofhismaster'smind。Butinallunbalancedminds，theclassificationisidolized，passesfortheend，andnotforaspeedilyexhaustiblemeans，sothatthewallsofthesystemblendtotheireyeintheremotehorizonwiththewallsoftheuniverse；theluminariesofheavenseemtothemhungonthearchtheirmasterbuilt。Theycannotimaginehowyoualienshaveanyrighttosee，——howyoucansee；`Itmustbesomehowthatyoustolethelightfromus。'Theydonotyetperceive，thatlight，unsystematic，indomitable，willbreakintoanycabin，evenintotheirs。Letthemchirpawhileandcallittheirown。Iftheyarehonestanddowell，presentlytheirneatnewpinfoldwillbetoostraitandlow，willcrack，willlean，willrotandvanish，andtheimmortallight，allyoungandjoyful，million-orbed，million-colored，willbeamovertheuniverseasonthefirstmorning。

2。Itisforwantofself-culturethatthesuperstitionofTravelling，whoseidolsareItaly，England，Egypt，retainsitsfascinationforalleducatedAmericans。TheywhomadeEngland，Italy，orGreecevenerableintheimaginationdidsobystickingfastwheretheywere，likeanaxisoftheearth。Inmanlyhours，wefeelthatdutyisourplace。Thesoulisnotraveller；thewisemanstaysathome，andwhenhisnecessities，hisduties，onanyoccasioncallhimfromhishouse，orintoforeignlands，heisathomestill，andshallmakemensensiblebytheexpressionofhiscountenance，thathegoesthemissionaryofwisdomandvirtue，andvisitscitiesandmenlikeasovereign，andnotlikeaninterloperoravalet。

Ihavenochurlishobjectiontothecircumnavigationoftheglobe，forthepurposesofart，ofstudy，andbenevolence，sothatthemanisfirstdomesticated，ordoesnotgoabroadwiththehopeoffindingsomewhatgreaterthanheknows。Hewhotravelstobeamused，ortogetsomewhatwhichhedoesnotcarry，travelsawayfromhimself，andgrowsoldeveninyouthamongoldthings。InThebes，inPalmyra，hiswillandmindhavebecomeoldanddilapidatedasthey。

Hecarriesruinstoruins。

Travellingisafool'sparadise。Ourfirstjourneysdiscovertoustheindifferenceofplaces。AthomeIdreamthatatNaples，atRome，Icanbeintoxicatedwithbeauty，andlosemysadness。Ipackmytrunk，embracemyfriends，embarkonthesea，andatlastwakeupinNaples，andtherebesidemeisthesternfact，thesadself，unrelenting，identical，thatIfledfrom。IseektheVatican，andthepalaces。Iaffecttobeintoxicatedwithsightsandsuggestions，butIamnotintoxicated。MygiantgoeswithmewhereverIgo。

3。Buttherageoftravellingisasymptomofadeeperunsoundnessaffectingthewholeintellectualaction。Theintellectisvagabond，andoursystemofeducationfostersrestlessness。Ourmindstravelwhenourbodiesareforcedtostayathome。Weimitate；

andwhatisimitationbutthetravellingofthemind？Ourhousesarebuiltwithforeigntaste；ourshelvesaregarnishedwithforeignornaments；ouropinions，ourtastes，ourfaculties，lean，andfollowthePastandtheDistant。Thesoulcreatedtheartswherevertheyhaveflourished。Itwasinhisownmindthattheartistsoughthismodel。Itwasanapplicationofhisownthoughttothethingtobedoneandtheconditionstobeobserved。AndwhyneedwecopytheDoricortheGothicmodel？Beauty，convenience，grandeurofthought，andquaintexpressionareasneartousastoany，andiftheAmericanartistwillstudywithhopeandlovetheprecisethingtobedonebyhim，consideringtheclimate，thesoil，thelengthoftheday，thewantsofthepeople，thehabitandformofthegovernment，hewillcreateahouseinwhichallthesewillfindthemselvesfitted，andtasteandsentimentwillbesatisfiedalso。

Insistonyourself；neverimitate。Yourowngiftyoucanpresenteverymomentwiththecumulativeforceofawholelife'scultivation；butoftheadoptedtalentofanother，youhaveonlyanextemporaneous，halfpossession。Thatwhicheachcandobest，nonebuthisMakercanteachhim。Nomanyetknowswhatitis，norcan，tillthatpersonhasexhibitedit。WhereisthemasterwhocouldhavetaughtShakspeare？WhereisthemasterwhocouldhaveinstructedFranklin，orWashington，orBacon，orNewton？Everygreatmanisaunique。TheScipionismofScipioispreciselythatparthecouldnotborrow。ShakspearewillneverbemadebythestudyofShakspeare。Dothatwhichisassignedyou，andyoucannothopetoomuchordaretoomuch。ThereisatthismomentforyouanutterancebraveandgrandasthatofthecolossalchiselofPhidias，ortroweloftheEgyptians，orthepenofMoses，orDante，butdifferentfromallthese。Notpossiblywillthesoulallrich，alleloquent，withthousand-cloventongue，deigntorepeatitself；butifyoucanhearwhatthesepatriarchssay，surelyyoucanreplytotheminthesamepitchofvoice；fortheearandthetonguearetwoorgansofonenature。Abideinthesimpleandnobleregionsofthylife，obeythyheart，andthoushaltreproducetheForeworldagain。

4。AsourReligion，ourEducation，ourArtlookabroad，sodoesourspiritofsociety。Allmenplumethemselvesontheimprovementofsociety，andnomanimproves。

Societyneveradvances。Itrecedesasfastononesideasitgainsontheother。Itundergoescontinualchanges；itisbarbarous，itiscivilized，itischristianized，itisrich，itisscientific；

butthischangeisnotamelioration。Foreverythingthatisgiven，somethingistaken。Societyacquiresnewarts，andlosesoldinstincts。Whatacontrastbetweenthewell-clad，reading，writing，thinkingAmerican，withawatch，apencil，andabillofexchangeinhispocket，andthenakedNewZealander，whosepropertyisaclub，aspear，amat，andanundividedtwentiethofashedtosleepunder！

Butcomparethehealthofthetwomen，andyoushallseethatthewhitemanhaslosthisaboriginalstrength。Ifthetravellertellustruly，strikethesavagewithabroadaxe，andinadayortwothefleshshalluniteandhealasifyoustrucktheblowintosoftpitch，andthesameblowshallsendthewhitetohisgrave。

Thecivilizedmanhasbuiltacoach，buthaslosttheuseofhisfeet。Heissupportedoncrutches，butlackssomuchsupportofmuscle。HehasafineGenevawatch，buthefailsoftheskilltotellthehourbythesun。AGreenwichnauticalalmanachehas，andsobeingsureoftheinformationwhenhewantsit，themaninthestreetdoesnotknowastarinthesky。Thesolsticehedoesnotobserve；theequinoxheknowsaslittle；andthewholebrightcalendaroftheyeariswithoutadialinhismind。Hisnote-booksimpairhismemory；hislibrariesoverloadhiswit；theinsurance-officeincreasesthenumberofaccidents；anditmaybeaquestionwhethermachinerydoesnotencumber；whetherwehavenotlostbyrefinementsomeenergy，byaChristianityentrenchedinestablishmentsandforms，somevigorofwildvirtue。ForeveryStoicwasaStoic；butinChristendomwhereistheChristian？

Thereisnomoredeviationinthemoralstandardthaninthestandardofheightorbulk。Nogreatermenarenowthaneverwere。

Asingularequalitymaybeobservedbetweenthegreatmenofthefirstandofthelastages；norcanallthescience，art，religion，andphilosophyofthenineteenthcenturyavailtoeducategreatermenthanPlutarch'sheroes，threeorfourandtwentycenturiesago。Notintimeistheraceprogressive。Phocion，Socrates，Anaxagoras，Diogenes，aregreatmen，buttheyleavenoclass。Hewhoisreallyoftheirclasswillnotbecalledbytheirname，butwillbehisownman，and，inhisturn，thefounderofasect。Theartsandinventionsofeachperiodareonlyitscostume，anddonotinvigoratemen。Theharmoftheimprovedmachinerymaycompensateitsgood。

HudsonandBehringaccomplishedsomuchintheirfishing-boats，astoastonishParryandFranklin，whoseequipmentexhaustedtheresourcesofscienceandart。Galileo，withanopera-glass，discoveredamoresplendidseriesofcelestialphenomenathananyonesince。ColumbusfoundtheNewWorldinanundeckedboat。Itiscurioustoseetheperiodicaldisuseandperishingofmeansandmachinery，whichwereintroducedwithloudlaudationafewyearsorcenturiesbefore。Thegreatgeniusreturnstoessentialman。Wereckonedtheimprovementsoftheartofwaramongthetriumphsofscience，andyetNapoleonconqueredEuropebythebivouac，whichconsistedoffallingbackonnakedvalor，anddisencumberingitofallaids。TheEmperorhelditimpossibletomakeaperfectarmy，saysLasCasas，“withoutabolishingourarms，magazines，commissaries，andcarriages，until，inimitationoftheRomancustom，thesoldiershouldreceivehissupplyofcorn，grinditinhishand-mill，andbakehisbreadhimself。“

Societyisawave。Thewavemovesonward，butthewaterofwhichitiscomposeddoesnot。Thesameparticledoesnotrisefromthevalleytotheridge。Itsunityisonlyphenomenal。Thepersonswhomakeupanationto-day，nextyeardie，andtheirexperiencewiththem。

AndsotherelianceonProperty，includingtherelianceongovernmentswhichprotectit，isthewantofself-reliance。Menhavelookedawayfromthemselvesandatthingssolong，thattheyhavecometoesteemthereligious，learned，andcivilinstitutionsasguardsofproperty，andtheydeprecateassaultsonthese，becausetheyfeelthemtobeassaultsonproperty。Theymeasuretheiresteemofeachotherbywhateachhas，andnotbywhateachis。Butacultivatedmanbecomesashamedofhisproperty，outofnewrespectforhisnature。Especiallyhehateswhathehas，ifheseethatitisaccidental，——cametohimbyinheritance，orgift，orcrime；thenhefeelsthatitisnothaving；itdoesnotbelongtohim，hasnorootinhim，andmerelyliesthere，becausenorevolutionornorobbertakesitaway。Butthatwhichamanisdoesalwaysbynecessityacquire，andwhatthemanacquiresislivingproperty，whichdoesnotwaitthebeckofrulers，ormobs，orrevolutions，orfire，orstorm，orbankruptcies，butperpetuallyrenewsitselfwhereverthemanbreathes。“Thylotorportionoflife，“saidtheCaliphAli，“isseekingafterthee；thereforebeatrestfromseekingafterit。“Ourdependenceontheseforeigngoodsleadsustoourslavishrespectfornumbers。Thepoliticalpartiesmeetinnumerousconventions；thegreatertheconcourse，andwitheachnewuproarofannouncement，ThedelegationfromEssex！TheDemocratsfromNewHampshire！TheWhigsofMaine！theyoungpatriotfeelshimselfstrongerthanbeforebyanewthousandofeyesandarms。Inlikemannerthereformerssummonconventions，andvoteandresolveinmultitude。Notso，Ofriends！willtheGoddeigntoenterandinhabityou，butbyamethodpreciselythereverse。Itisonlyasamanputsoffallforeignsupport，andstandsalone，thatIseehimtobestrongandtoprevail。Heisweakerbyeveryrecruittohisbanner。Isnotamanbetterthanatown？Asknothingofmen，andintheendlessmutation，thouonlyfirmcolumnmustpresentlyappeartheupholderofallthatsurroundsthee。Hewhoknowsthatpowerisinborn，thatheisweakbecausehehaslookedforgoodoutofhimandelsewhere，andsoperceiving，throwshimselfunhesitatinglyonhisthought，instantlyrightshimself，standsintheerectposition，commandshislimbs，worksmiracles；justasamanwhostandsonhisfeetisstrongerthanamanwhostandsonhishead。

SouseallthatiscalledFortune。Mostmengamblewithher，andgainall，andloseall，asherwheelrolls。Butdothouleaveasunlawfulthesewinnings，anddealwithCauseandEffect，thechancellorsofGod。IntheWillworkandacquire，andthouhastchainedthewheelofChance，andshaltsithereafteroutoffearfromherrotations。Apoliticalvictory，ariseofrents，therecoveryofyoursick，orthereturnofyourabsentfriend，orsomeotherfavorableevent，raisesyourspirits，andyouthinkgooddaysarepreparingforyou。Donotbelieveit。Nothingcanbringyoupeacebutyourself。Nothingcanbringyoupeacebutthetriumphofprinciples。

COMPENSATION

ThewingsofTimeareblackandwhite，Piedwithmorningandwithnight。

MountaintallandoceandeepTremblingbalancedulykeep。

Inchangingmoon，intidalwave，GlowsthefeudofWantandHave。

GaugeofmoreandlessthroughspaceElectricstarandpencilplays。

ThelonelyEarthamidtheballsThathurrythroughtheeternalhalls，Amakeweightflyingtothevoid，Supplementalasteroid，Orcompensatoryspark，ShootsacrosstheneutralDark。

Man'stheelm，andWealththevine；

Stanchandstrongthetendrilstwine：

Thoughthefrailringletstheedeceive，Nonefromitsstockthatvinecanreave。

Fearnot，then，thouchildinfirm，There'snogoddarewrongaworm。

Laurelcrownscleavetodeserts，Andpowertohimwhopowerexerts；

Hastnotthyshare？Onwingedfeet，Lo！itrushestheetomeet；

AndallthatNaturemadethyown，Floatinginairorpentinstone，Willrivethehillsandswimthesea，And，likethyshadow，followthee。

ESSAYIII_Compensation_

EversinceIwasaboy，IhavewishedtowriteadiscourseonCompensation：foritseemedtomewhenveryyoung，thatonthissubjectlifewasaheadoftheology，andthepeopleknewmorethanthepreacherstaught。Thedocuments，too，fromwhichthedoctrineistobedrawn，charmedmyfancybytheirendlessvariety，andlayalwaysbeforeme，eveninsleep；fortheyarethetoolsinourhands，thebreadinourbasket，thetransactionsofthestreet，thefarm，andthedwelling-house，greetings，relations，debtsandcredits，theinfluenceofcharacter，thenatureandendowmentofallmen。Itseemedtome，also，thatinitmightbeshownmenarayofdivinity，thepresentactionofthesoulofthisworld，cleanfromallvestigeoftradition，andsotheheartofmanmightbebathedbyaninundationofeternallove，conversingwiththatwhichheknowswasalwaysandalwaysmustbe，becauseitreallyisnow。Itappeared，moreover，thatifthisdoctrinecouldbestatedintermswithanyresemblancetothosebrightintuitionsinwhichthistruthissometimesrevealedtous，itwouldbeastarinmanydarkhoursandcrookedpassagesinourjourneythatwouldnotsufferustoloseourway。

Iwaslatelyconfirmedinthesedesiresbyhearingasermonatchurch。Thepreacher，amanesteemedforhisorthodoxy，unfoldedintheordinarymannerthedoctrineoftheLastJudgment。Heassumed，thatjudgmentisnotexecutedinthisworld；thatthewickedaresuccessful；thatthegoodaremiserable；andthenurgedfromreasonandfromScriptureacompensationtobemadetobothpartiesinthenextlife。Nooffenceappearedtobetakenbythecongregationatthisdoctrine。AsfarasIcouldobserve，whenthemeetingbrokeup，theyseparatedwithoutremarkonthesermon。

Yetwhatwastheimportofthisteaching？Whatdidthepreachermeanbysayingthatthegoodaremiserableinthepresentlife？Wasitthathousesandlands，offices，wine，horses，dress，luxury，arehadbyunprincipledmen，whilstthesaintsarepooranddespised；andthatacompensationistobemadetotheselasthereafter，bygivingthemthelikegratificationsanotherday，——

bank-stockanddoubloons，venisonandchampagne？Thismustbethecompensationintended；forwhatelse？Isitthattheyaretohaveleavetoprayandpraise？toloveandservemen？Why，thattheycandonow。Thelegitimateinferencethedisciplewoulddrawwas，——`Wearetohave_such_agoodtimeasthesinnershavenow'；——or，topushittoitsextremeimport，——`Yousinnow；weshallsinbyandby；wewouldsinnow，ifwecould；notbeingsuccessful，weexpectourrevengeto-morrow。'

Thefallacylayintheimmenseconcession，thatthebadaresuccessful；thatjusticeisnotdonenow。Theblindnessofthepreacherconsistedindeferringtothebaseestimateofthemarketofwhatconstitutesamanlysuccess，insteadofconfrontingandconvictingtheworldfromthetruth；announcingthepresenceofthesoul；theomnipotenceofthewill：andsoestablishingthestandardofgoodandill，ofsuccessandfalsehood。

Ifindasimilarbasetoneinthepopularreligiousworksoftheday，andthesamedoctrinesassumedbytheliterarymenwhenoccasionallytheytreattherelatedtopics。Ithinkthatourpopulartheologyhasgainedindecorum，andnotinprinciple，overthesuperstitionsithasdisplaced。Butmenarebetterthanthistheology。Theirdailylifegivesitthelie。Everyingenuousandaspiringsoulleavesthedoctrinebehindhiminhisownexperience；

andallmenfeelsometimesthefalsehoodwhichtheycannotdemonstrate。Formenarewiserthantheyknow。Thatwhichtheyhearinschoolsandpulpitswithoutafter-thought，ifsaidinconversation，wouldprobablybequestionedinsilence。IfamandogmatizeinamixedcompanyonProvidenceandthedivinelaws，heisansweredbyasilencewhichconveyswellenoughtoanobserverthedissatisfactionofthehearer，buthisincapacitytomakehisownstatement。

IshallattemptinthisandthefollowingchaptertorecordsomefactsthatindicatethepathofthelawofCompensation；happybeyondmyexpectation，ifIshalltrulydrawthesmallestarcofthiscircle。

POLARITY，oractionandreaction，wemeetineverypartofnature；indarknessandlight；inheatandcold；intheebbandflowofwaters；inmaleandfemale；intheinspirationandexpirationofplantsandanimals；intheequationofquantityandqualityinthefluidsoftheanimalbody；inthesystoleanddiastoleoftheheart；

intheundulationsoffluids，andofsound；inthecentrifugalandcentripetalgravity；inelectricity，galvanism，andchemicalaffinity。Superinducemagnetismatoneendofaneedle；theoppositemagnetismtakesplaceattheotherend。Ifthesouthattracts，thenorthrepels。Toemptyhere，youmustcondensethere。Aninevitabledualismbisectsnature，sothateachthingisahalf，andsuggestsanotherthingtomakeitwhole；as，spirit，matter；man，woman；odd，even；subjective，objective；in，out；upper，under；motion，rest；

yea，nay。

Whilsttheworldisthusdual，soiseveryoneofitsparts。

Theentiresystemofthingsgetsrepresentedineveryparticle。

Thereissomewhatthatresemblestheebbandflowofthesea，dayandnight，manandwoman，inasingleneedleofthepine，inakernelofcorn，ineachindividualofeveryanimaltribe。Thereaction，sograndintheelements，isrepeatedwithinthesesmallboundaries。

Forexample，intheanimalkingdomthephysiologisthasobservedthatnocreaturesarefavorites，butacertaincompensationbalanceseverygiftandeverydefect。Asurplusagegiventoonepartispaidoutofareductionfromanotherpartofthesamecreature。Iftheheadandneckareenlarged，thetrunkandextremitiesarecutshort。

Thetheoryofthemechanicforcesisanotherexample。Whatwegaininpowerislostintime；andtheconverse。Theperiodicorcompensatingerrorsoftheplanetsisanotherinstance。Theinfluencesofclimateandsoilinpoliticalhistoryareanother。Thecoldclimateinvigorates。Thebarrensoildoesnotbreedfevers，crocodiles，tigers，orscorpions。

Thesamedualismunderliesthenatureandconditionofman。

Everyexcesscausesadefect；everydefectanexcess。Everysweethathitssour；everyevilitsgood。Everyfacultywhichisareceiverofpleasurehasanequalpenaltyputonitsabuse。Itistoanswerforitsmoderationwithitslife。Foreverygrainofwitthereisagrainoffolly。Foreverythingyouhavemissed，youhavegainedsomethingelse；andforeverythingyougain，youlosesomething。Ifrichesincrease，theyareincreasedthatusethem。Ifthegatherergatherstoomuch，naturetakesoutofthemanwhatsheputsintohischest；swellstheestate，butkillstheowner。Naturehatesmonopoliesandexceptions。Thewavesoftheseadonotmorespeedilyseekalevelfromtheirloftiesttossing，thanthevarietiesofconditiontendtoequalizethemselves。Thereisalwayssomelevellingcircumstancethatputsdowntheoverbearing，thestrong，therich，thefortunate，substantiallyonthesamegroundwithallothers。Isamantoostrongandfierceforsociety，andbytemperandpositionabadcitizen，——amoroseruffian，withadashofthepirateinhim；——naturesendshimatroopofprettysonsanddaughters，whoaregettingalonginthedame'sclassesatthevillageschool，andloveandfearforthemsmoothshisgrimscowltocourtesy。Thusshecontrivestointeneratethegraniteandfelspar，takestheboaroutandputsthelambin，andkeepsherbalancetrue。

Thefarmerimaginespowerandplacearefinethings。ButthePresidenthaspaiddearforhisWhiteHouse。Ithascommonlycosthimallhispeace，andthebestofhismanlyattributes。Topreserveforashorttimesoconspicuousanappearancebeforetheworld，heiscontenttoeatdustbeforetherealmasterswhostanderectbehindthethrone。Or，domendesirethemoresubstantialandpermanentgrandeurofgenius？Neitherhasthisanimmunity。Hewhobyforceofwillorofthoughtisgreat，andoverlooksthousands，hasthechargesofthateminence。Witheveryinfluxoflightcomesnewdanger。Hashelight？hemustbearwitnesstothelight，andalwaysoutrunthatsympathywhichgiveshimsuchkeensatisfaction，byhisfidelitytonewrevelationsoftheincessantsoul。Hemusthatefatherandmother，wifeandchild。Hasheallthattheworldlovesandadmiresandcovets？——hemustcastbehindhimtheiradmiration，andafflictthembyfaithfulnesstohistruth，andbecomeabywordandahissing。

Thislawwritesthelawsofcitiesandnations。Itisinvaintobuildorplotorcombineagainstit。Thingsrefusetobemismanagedlong。_Resnoluntdiumaleadministrari_。Thoughnocheckstoanewevilappear，thechecksexist，andwillappear。Ifthegovernmentiscruel，thegovernor'slifeisnotsafe。Ifyoutaxtoohigh，therevenuewillyieldnothing。Ifyoumakethecriminalcodesanguinary，jurieswillnotconvict。Ifthelawistoomild，privatevengeancecomesin。Ifthegovernmentisaterrificdemocracy，thepressureisresistedbyanoverchargeofenergyinthecitizen，andlifeglowswithafiercerflame。Thetruelifeandsatisfactionsofmanseemtoeludetheutmostrigorsorfelicitiesofcondition，andtoestablishthemselveswithgreatindifferencyunderallvarietiesofcircumstances。Underallgovernmentstheinfluenceofcharacterremainsthesame，——inTurkeyandinNewEnglandaboutalike。UndertheprimevaldespotsofEgypt，historyhonestlyconfessesthatmanmusthavebeenasfreeasculturecouldmakehim。

Theseappearancesindicatethefactthattheuniverseisrepresentedineveryoneofitsparticles。Everythinginnaturecontainsallthepowersofnature。Everythingismadeofonehiddenstuff；asthenaturalistseesonetypeundereverymetamorphosis，andregardsahorseasarunningman，afishasaswimmingman，abirdasaflyingman，atreeasarootedman。Eachnewformrepeatsnotonlythemaincharacterofthetype，butpartforpartallthedetails，alltheaims，furtherances，hindrances，energies，andwholesystemofeveryother。Everyoccupation，trade，art，transaction，isacompendoftheworld，andacorrelativeofeveryother。Eachoneisanentireemblemofhumanlife；ofitsgoodandill，itstrials，itsenemies，itscourseanditsend。Andeachonemustsomehowaccommodatethewholeman，andreciteallhisdestiny。

Theworldglobesitselfinadropofdew。Themicroscopecannotfindtheanimalculewhichislessperfectforbeinglittle。

Eyes，ears，taste，smell，motion，resistance，appetite，andorgansofreproductionthattakeholdoneternity，——allfindroomtoconsistinthesmallcreature。Sodoweputourlifeintoeveryact。Thetruedoctrineofomnipresenceis，thatGodreappearswithallhispartsineverymossandcobweb。Thevalueoftheuniversecontrivestothrowitselfintoeverypoint。Ifthegoodisthere，soistheevil；iftheaffinity，sotherepulsion；iftheforce，sothelimitation。

Thusistheuniversealive。Allthingsaremoral。Thatsoul，whichwithinusisasentiment，outsideofusisalaw。Wefeelitsinspiration；outthereinhistorywecanseeitsfatalstrength。“Itisintheworld，andtheworldwasmadebyit。“Justiceisnotpostponed。Aperfectequityadjustsitsbalanceinallpartsoflife。{OichusoiDiosaeienpiptousi}，——ThediceofGodarealwaysloaded。Theworldlookslikeamultiplication-table，oramathematicalequation，which，turnithowyouwill，balancesitself。

Takewhatfigureyouwill，itsexactvalue，normorenorless，stillreturnstoyou。Everysecretistold，everycrimeispunished，everyvirtuerewarded，everywrongredressed，insilenceandcertainty。

Whatwecallretributionistheuniversalnecessitybywhichthewholeappearswhereverapartappears。Ifyouseesmoke，theremustbefire。Ifyouseeahandoralimb，youknowthatthetrunktowhichitbelongsistherebehind。

Everyactrewardsitself，or，inotherwords，integratesitself，inatwofoldmanner；first，inthething，orinrealnature；

andsecondly，inthecircumstance，orinapparentnature。Mencallthecircumstancetheretribution。Thecausalretributionisinthething，andisseenbythesoul。Theretributioninthecircumstanceisseenbytheunderstanding；itisinseparablefromthething，butisoftenspreadoveralongtime，andsodoesnotbecomedistinctuntilaftermanyyears。Thespecificstripesmayfollowlateaftertheoffence，buttheyfollowbecausetheyaccompanyit。Crimeandpunishmentgrowoutofonestem。Punishmentisafruitthatunsuspectedripenswithintheflowerofthepleasurewhichconcealedit。Causeandeffect，meansandends，seedandfruit，cannotbesevered；fortheeffectalreadybloomsinthecause，theendpreexistsinthemeans，thefruitintheseed。

Whilstthustheworldwillbewhole，andrefusestobedisparted，weseektoactpartially，tosunder，toappropriate；forexample，——togratifythesenses，weseverthepleasureofthesensesfromtheneedsofthecharacter。Theingenuityofmanhasalwaysbeendedicatedtothesolutionofoneproblem，——howtodetachthesensualsweet，thesensualstrong，thesensualbright，&c。，fromthemoralsweet，themoraldeep，themoralfair；thatis，again，tocontrivetocutcleanoffthisuppersurfacesothinastoleaveitbottomless；togeta_oneend_，withoutan_otherend_。Thesoulsays，Eat；thebodywouldfeast。Thesoulsays，Themanandwomanshallbeonefleshandonesoul；thebodywouldjointhefleshonly。Thesoulsays，Havedominionoverallthingstotheendsofvirtue；thebodywouldhavethepoweroverthingstoitsownends。

Thesoulstrivesamaintoliveandworkthroughallthings。Itwouldbetheonlyfact。Allthingsshallbeaddeduntoitpower，pleasure，knowledge，beauty。Theparticularmanaimstobesomebody；

tosetupforhimself；totruckandhiggleforaprivategood；and，inparticulars，toride，thathemayride；todress，thathemaybedressed；toeat，thathemayeat；andtogovern，thathemaybeseen。

Menseektobegreat；theywouldhaveoffices，wealth，power，andfame。Theythinkthattobegreatistopossessonesideofnature，——thesweet，withouttheotherside，——thebitter。

Thisdividinganddetachingissteadilycounteracted。Uptothisday，itmustbeowned，noprojectorhashadthesmallestsuccess。Thepartedwaterreunitesbehindourhand。Pleasureistakenoutofpleasantthings，profitoutofprofitablethings，poweroutofstrongthings，assoonasweseektoseparatethemfromthewhole。Wecannomorehalvethingsandgetthesensualgood，byitself，thanwecangetaninsidethatshallhavenooutside，oralightwithoutashadow。“Driveoutnaturewithafork，shecomesrunningback。“

Lifeinvestsitselfwithinevitableconditions，whichtheunwiseseektododge，whichoneandanotherbragsthathedoesnotknow；thattheydonottouchhim；——butthebragisonhislips，theconditionsareinhissoul。Ifheescapestheminonepart，theyattackhiminanothermorevitalpart。Ifhehasescapedtheminform，andintheappearance，itisbecausehehasresistedhislife，andfledfromhimself，andtheretributionissomuchdeath。Sosignalisthefailureofallattemptstomakethisseparationofthegoodfromthetax，thattheexperimentwouldnotbetried，——sincetotryitistobemad，——butforthecircumstance，thatwhenthediseasebeganinthewill，ofrebellionandseparation，theintellectisatonceinfected，sothatthemanceasestoseeGodwholeineachobject，butisabletoseethesensualallurementofanobject，andnotseethesensualhurt；heseesthemermaid'shead，butnotthedragon'stail；andthinkshecancutoffthatwhichhewouldhave，fromthatwhichhewouldnothave。“Howsecretartthouwhodwellestinthehighestheavensinsilence，OthouonlygreatGod，sprinklingwithanunweariedProvidencecertainpenalblindnessesuponsuchashaveunbridleddesires！”

Thehumansoulistruetothesefactsinthepaintingoffable，ofhistory，oflaw，ofproverbs，ofconversation。Itfindsatongueinliteratureunawares。ThustheGreekscalledJupiter，SupremeMind；buthavingtraditionallyascribedtohimmanybaseactions，theyinvoluntarilymadeamendstoreason，bytyingupthehandsofsobadagod。HeismadeashelplessasakingofEngland。PrometheusknowsonesecretwhichJovemustbargainfor；Minerva，another。Hecannotgethisownthunders；Minervakeepsthekeyofthem。

“Ofallthegods，IonlyknowthekeysThatopethesoliddoorswithinwhosevaultsHisthunderssleep。“

Aplainconfessionofthein-workingoftheAll，andofitsmoralaim。TheIndianmythologyendsinthesameethics；anditwouldseemimpossibleforanyfabletobeinventedandgetanycurrencywhichwasnotmoral。Auroraforgottoaskyouthforherlover，andthoughTithonusisimmortal，heisold。Achillesisnotquiteinvulnerable；thesacredwatersdidnotwashtheheelbywhichThetisheldhim。Siegfried，intheNibelungen，isnotquiteimmortal，foraleaffellonhisbackwhilsthewasbathinginthedragon'sblood，andthatspotwhichitcoveredismortal。Andsoitmustbe。ThereisacrackineverythingGodhasmade。Itwouldseem，thereisalwaysthisvindictivecircumstancestealinginatunawares，evenintothewildpoesyinwhichthehumanfancyattemptedtomakeboldholiday，andtoshakeitselffreeoftheoldlaws，——

thisback-stroke，thiskickofthegun，certifyingthatthelawisfatal；thatinnaturenothingcanbegiven，allthingsaresold。

ThisisthatancientdoctrineofNemesis，whokeepswatchintheuniverse，andletsnooffencegounchastised。TheFuries，theysaid，areattendantsonjustice，andifthesuninheavenshouldtransgresshispath，theywouldpunishhim。Thepoetsrelatedthatstonewalls，andironswords，andleathernthongshadanoccultsympathywiththewrongsoftheirowners；thatthebeltwhichAjaxgaveHectordraggedtheTrojanherooverthefieldatthewheelsofthecarofAchilles，andtheswordwhichHectorgaveAjaxwasthatonwhosepointAjaxfell。Theyrecorded，thatwhentheThasianserectedastatuetoTheagenes，avictorinthegames，oneofhisrivalswenttoitbynight，andendeavouredtothrowitdownbyrepeatedblows，untilatlasthemoveditfromitspedestal，andwascrushedtodeathbeneathitsfall。

Thisvoiceoffablehasinitsomewhatdivine。Itcamefromthoughtabovethewillofthewriter。Thatisthebestpartofeachwriter，whichhasnothingprivateinit；thatwhichhedoesnotknow；

thatwhichflowedoutofhisconstitution，andnotfromhistooactiveinvention；thatwhichinthestudyofasingleartistyoumightnoteasilyfind，butinthestudyofmany，youwouldabstractasthespiritofthemall。Phidiasitisnot，buttheworkofmaninthatearlyHellenicworld，thatIwouldknow。ThenameandcircumstanceofPhidias，howeverconvenientforhistory，embarrasswhenwecometothehighestcriticism。Wearetoseethatwhichmanwastendingtodoinagivenperiod，andwashindered，or，ifyouwill，modifiedindoing，bytheinterferingvolitionsofPhidias，ofDante，ofShakspeare，theorganwherebymanatthemomentwrought。

Stillmorestrikingistheexpressionofthisfactintheproverbsofallnations，whicharealwaystheliteratureofreason，orthestatementsofanabsolutetruth，withoutqualification。

Proverbs，likethesacredbooksofeachnation，arethesanctuaryoftheintuitions。Thatwhichthedroningworld，chainedtoappearances，willnotallowtherealisttosayinhisownwords，itwillsufferhimtosayinproverbswithoutcontradiction。Andthislawoflawswhichthepulpit，thesenate，andthecollegedeny，ishourlypreachedinallmarketsandworkshopsbyflightsofproverbs，whoseteachingisastrueandasomnipresentasthatofbirdsandflies。

Allthingsaredouble，oneagainstanother——Titfortat；aneyeforaneye；atoothforatooth；bloodforblood；measureformeasure；loveforlove——Giveanditshallbegivenyou——Hethatwaterethshallbewateredhimself——Whatwillyouhave？quothGod；payforitandtakeit——Nothingventure，nothinghave——

Thoushaltbepaidexactlyforwhatthouhastdone，nomore，noless——

Whodothnotworkshallnoteat——Harmwatch，harmcatch——

Cursesalwaysrecoilontheheadofhimwhoimprecatesthem——Ifyouputachainaroundtheneckofaslave，theotherendfastensitselfaroundyourown——Badcounselconfoundstheadviser——

TheDevilisanass。

Itisthuswritten，becauseitisthusinlife。Ouractionisovermasteredandcharacterizedaboveourwillbythelawofnature。

Weaimatapettyendquiteasidefromthepublicgood，butouractarrangesitselfbyirresistiblemagnetisminalinewiththepolesoftheworld。

Amancannotspeakbuthejudgeshimself。Withhiswill，oragainsthiswill，hedrawshisportraittotheeyeofhiscompanionsbyeveryword。Everyopinionreactsonhimwhouttersit。Itisathread-ballthrownatamark，buttheotherendremainsinthethrower'sbag。Or，rather，itisaharpoonhurledatthewhale，unwinding，asitflies，acoilofcordintheboat，andiftheharpoonisnotgood，ornotwellthrown，itwillgonightocutthesteersmanintwain，ortosinktheboat。

Youcannotdowrongwithoutsufferingwrong。“Nomanhadeverapointofpridethatwasnotinjurioustohim，“saidBurke。Theexclusiveinfashionablelifedoesnotseethatheexcludeshimselffromenjoyment，intheattempttoappropriateit。Theexclusionistinreligiondoesnotseethatheshutsthedoorofheavenonhimself，instrivingtoshutoutothers。Treatmenaspawnsandninepins，andyoushallsufferaswellasthey。Ifyouleaveouttheirheart，youshallloseyourown。Thesenseswouldmakethingsofallpersons；ofwomen，ofchildren，ofthepoor。Thevulgarproverb，“Iwillgetitfromhispurseorgetitfromhisskin，“issoundphilosophy。

Allinfractionsofloveandequityinoursocialrelationsarespeedilypunished。Theyarepunishedbyfear。WhilstIstandinsimplerelationstomyfellow-man，Ihavenodispleasureinmeetinghim。Wemeetaswatermeetswater，orastwocurrentsofairmix，withperfectdiffusionandinterpenetrationofnature。Butassoonasthereisanydeparturefromsimplicity，andattemptathalfness，orgoodformethatisnotgoodforhim，myneighbourfeelsthewrong；heshrinksfrommeasfarasIhaveshrunkfromhim；hiseyesnolongerseekmine；thereiswarbetweenus；thereishateinhimandfearinme。

Alltheoldabusesinsociety，universalandparticular，allunjustaccumulationsofpropertyandpower，areavengedinthesamemanner。Fearisaninstructerofgreatsagacity，andtheheraldofallrevolutions。Onethingheteaches，thatthereisrottennesswhereheappears。Heisacarrioncrow，andthoughyouseenotwellwhathehoversfor，thereisdeathsomewhere。Ourpropertyistimid，ourlawsaretimid，ourcultivatedclassesaretimid。Fearforageshasbodedandmowedandgibberedovergovernmentandproperty。Thatobscenebirdisnottherefornothing。Heindicatesgreatwrongswhichmustberevised。

Ofthelikenatureisthatexpectationofchangewhichinstantlyfollowsthesuspensionofourvoluntaryactivity。Theterrorofcloudlessnoon，theemeraldofPolycrates，theaweofprosperity，theinstinctwhichleadseverygeneroussoultoimposeonitselftasksofanobleasceticismandvicariousvirtue，arethetremblingsofthebalanceofjusticethroughtheheartandmindofman。

Experiencedmenoftheworldknowverywellthatitisbesttopayscotandlotastheygoalong，andthatamanoftenpaysdearforasmallfrugality。Theborrowerrunsinhisowndebt。Hasamangainedanythingwhohasreceivedahundredfavorsandrenderednone？

Hashegainedbyborrowing，throughindolenceorcunning，hisneighbour'swares，orhorses，ormoney？Therearisesonthedeedtheinstantacknowledgmentofbenefitontheonepart，andofdebtontheother；thatis，ofsuperiorityandinferiority。Thetransactionremainsinthememoryofhimselfandhisneighbour；andeverynewtransactionalters，accordingtoitsnature，theirrelationtoeachother。Hemaysooncometoseethathehadbetterhavebrokenhisownbonesthantohaveriddeninhisneighbour'scoach，andthat“thehighestpricehecanpayforathingistoaskforit。“

Awisemanwillextendthislessontoallpartsoflife，andknowthatitisthepartofprudencetofaceeveryclaimant，andpayeveryjustdemandonyourtime，yourtalents，oryourheart。Alwayspay；for，firstorlast，youmustpayyourentiredebt。Personsandeventsmaystandforatimebetweenyouandjustice，butitisonlyapostponement。Youmustpayatlastyourowndebt。Ifyouarewise，youwilldreadaprosperitywhichonlyloadsyouwithmore。Benefitistheendofnature。Butforeverybenefitwhichyoureceive，ataxislevied。Heisgreatwhoconfersthemostbenefits。Heisbase——

andthatistheonebasethingintheuniverse——toreceivefavorsandrendernone。Intheorderofnaturewecannotrenderbenefitstothosefromwhomwereceivethem，oronlyseldom。Butthebenefitwereceivemustberenderedagain，lineforline，deedfordeed，centforcent，tosomebody。Bewareoftoomuchgoodstayinginyourhand。

Itwillfastcorruptandwormworms。Payitawayquicklyinsomesort。

Laboriswatchedoverbythesamepitilesslaws。Cheapest，saytheprudent，isthedearestlabor。Whatwebuyinabroom，amat，awagon，aknife，issomeapplicationofgoodsensetoacommonwant。

Itisbesttopayinyourlandaskilfulgardener，ortobuygoodsenseappliedtogardening；inyoursailor，goodsenseappliedtonavigation；inthehouse，goodsenseappliedtocooking，sewing，serving；inyouragent，goodsenseappliedtoaccountsandaffairs。

Sodoyoumultiplyyourpresence，orspreadyourselfthroughoutyourestate。Butbecauseofthedualconstitutionofthings，inlaborasinlifetherecanbenocheating。Thethiefstealsfromhimself。

Theswindlerswindleshimself。Fortherealpriceoflaborisknowledgeandvirtue，whereofwealthandcreditaresigns。Thesesigns，likepapermoney，maybecounterfeitedorstolen，butthatwhichtheyrepresent，namely，knowledgeandvirtue，cannotbecounterfeitedorstolen。Theseendsoflaborcannotbeansweredbutbyrealexertionsofthemind，andinobediencetopuremotives。Thecheat，thedefaulter，thegambler，cannotextorttheknowledgeofmaterialandmoralnaturewhichhishonestcareandpainsyieldtotheoperative。Thelawofnatureis，Dothething，andyoushallhavethepower：buttheywhodonotthethinghavenotthepower。

Humanlabor，throughallitsforms，fromthesharpeningofastaketotheconstructionofacityoranepic，isoneimmenseillustrationoftheperfectcompensationoftheuniverse。TheabsolutebalanceofGiveandTake，thedoctrinethateverythinghasitsprice，——andifthatpriceisnotpaid，notthatthingbutsomethingelseisobtained，andthatitisimpossibletogetanythingwithoutitsprice，——isnotlesssublimeinthecolumnsofalegerthaninthebudgetsofstates，inthelawsoflightanddarkness，inalltheactionandreactionofnature。Icannotdoubtthatthehighlawswhicheachmanseesimplicatedinthoseprocesseswithwhichheisconversant，thesternethicswhichsparkleonhischisel-edge，whicharemeasuredoutbyhisplumbandfoot-rule，whichstandasmanifestinthefootingoftheshop-billasinthehistoryofastate，——dorecommendtohimhistrade，andthoughseldomnamed，exalthisbusinesstohisimagination。

Theleaguebetweenvirtueandnatureengagesallthingstoassumeahostilefronttovice。Thebeautifullawsandsubstancesoftheworldpersecuteandwhipthetraitor。Hefindsthatthingsarearrangedfortruthandbenefit，butthereisnodeninthewideworldtohidearogue。Commitacrime，andtheearthismadeofglass。

Commitacrime，anditseemsasifacoatofsnowfellontheground，suchasrevealsinthewoodsthetrackofeverypartridgeandfoxandsquirrelandmole。Youcannotrecallthespokenword，youcannotwipeoutthefoot-track，youcannotdrawuptheladder，soastoleavenoinletorclew。Somedamningcircumstancealwaystranspires。

Thelawsandsubstancesofnature——water，snow，wind，gravitation——becomepenaltiestothethief。

Ontheotherhand，thelawholdswithequalsurenessforallrightaction。Love，andyoushallbeloved。Allloveismathematicallyjust，asmuchasthetwosidesofanalgebraicequation。Thegoodmanhasabsolutegood，whichlikefireturnseverythingtoitsownnature，sothatyoucannotdohimanyharm；

butastheroyalarmiessentagainstNapoleon，whenheapproached，castdowntheircolorsandfromenemiesbecamefriends，sodisastersofallkinds，assickness，offence，poverty，provebenefactors：——

“WindsblowandwatersrollStrengthtothebrave，andpoweranddeity，Yetinthemselvesarenothing。“

Thegoodarebefriendedevenbyweaknessanddefect。Asnomanhadeverapointofpridethatwasnotinjurioustohim，sonomanhadeveradefectthatwasnotsomewheremadeusefultohim。Thestaginthefableadmiredhishornsandblamedhisfeet，butwhenthehuntercame，hisfeetsavedhim，andafterwards，caughtinthethicket，hishornsdestroyedhim。Everymaninhislifetimeneedstothankhisfaults。Asnomanthoroughlyunderstandsatruthuntilhehascontendedagainstit，sonomanhasathoroughacquaintancewiththehindrancesortalentsofmen，untilhehassufferedfromtheone，andseenthetriumphoftheotheroverhisownwantofthesame。Hasheadefectoftemperthatunfitshimtoliveinsociety？Therebyheisdriventoentertainhimselfalone，andacquirehabitsofself-help；andthus，likethewoundedoyster，hemendshisshellwithpearl。

Ourstrengthgrowsoutofourweakness。Theindignationwhicharmsitselfwithsecretforcesdoesnotawakenuntilweareprickedandstungandsorelyassailed。Agreatmanisalwayswillingtobelittle。Whilsthesitsonthecushionofadvantages，hegoestosleep。Whenheispushed，tormented，defeated，hehasachancetolearnsomething；hehasbeenputonhiswits，onhismanhood；hehasgainedfacts；learnshisignorance；iscuredoftheinsanityofconceit；hasgotmoderationandrealskill。Thewisemanthrowshimselfonthesideofhisassailants。Itismorehisinterestthanitistheirstofindhisweakpoint。Thewoundcicatrizesandfallsofffromhimlikeadeadskin，andwhentheywouldtriumph，lo！hehaspassedoninvulnerable。Blameissaferthanpraise。Ihatetobedefendedinanewspaper。Aslongasallthatissaidissaidagainstme，Ifeelacertainassuranceofsuccess。Butassoonashoneyedwordsofpraisearespokenforme，Ifeelasonethatliesunprotectedbeforehisenemies。Ingeneral，everyeviltowhichwedonotsuccumbisabenefactor。AstheSandwichIslanderbelievesthatthestrengthandvaloroftheenemyhekillspassesintohimself，sowegainthestrengthofthetemptationweresist。

Thesameguardswhichprotectusfromdisaster，defect，andenmity，defendus，ifwewill，fromselfishnessandfraud。Boltsandbarsarenotthebestofourinstitutions，norisshrewdnessintradeamarkofwisdom。Mensufferalltheirlifelong，underthefoolishsuperstitionthattheycanbecheated。Butitisasimpossibleforamantobecheatedbyanyonebuthimself，asforathingtobeandnottobeatthesametime。Thereisathirdsilentpartytoallourbargains。Thenatureandsoulofthingstakesonitselftheguarantyofthefulfilmentofeverycontract，sothathonestservicecannotcometoloss。Ifyouserveanungratefulmaster，servehimthemore。

PutGodinyourdebt。Everystrokeshallberepaid。Thelongerthepaymentiswithholden，thebetterforyou；forcompoundinterestoncompoundinterestistherateandusageofthisexchequer。

Thehistoryofpersecutionisahistoryofendeavourstocheatnature，tomakewaterrunuphill，totwistaropeofsand。Itmakesnodifferencewhethertheactorsbemanyorone，atyrantoramob。

Amobisasocietyofbodiesvoluntarilybereavingthemselvesofreason，andtraversingitswork。Themobismanvoluntarilydescendingtothenatureofthebeast。Itsfithourofactivityisnight。Itsactionsareinsanelikeitswholeconstitution。Itpersecutesaprinciple；itwouldwhiparight；itwouldtarandfeatherjustice，byinflictingfireandoutrageuponthehousesandpersonsofthosewhohavethese。Itresemblestheprankofboys，whorunwithfire-enginestoputouttheruddyaurorastreamingtothestars。Theinviolatespiritturnstheirspiteagainstthewrongdoers。Themartyrcannotbedishonored。Everylashinflictedisatongueoffame；everyprison，amoreillustriousabode；everyburnedbookorhouseenlightenstheworld；everysuppressedorexpungedwordreverberatesthroughtheearthfromsidetoside。

Hoursofsanityandconsiderationarealwaysarrivingtocommunities，astoindividuals，whenthetruthisseen，andthemartyrsarejustified。

Thusdoallthingspreachtheindifferencyofcircumstances。

Themanisall。Everythinghastwosides，agoodandanevil。

Everyadvantagehasitstax。Ilearntobecontent。Butthedoctrineofcompensationisnotthedoctrineofindifferency。Thethoughtlesssay，onhearingtheserepresentations，——Whatbootsittodowell？thereisoneeventtogoodandevil；ifIgainanygood，Imustpayforit；ifIloseanygood，Igainsomeother；allactionsareindifferent。

Thereisadeeperfactinthesoulthancompensation，towit，itsownnature。Thesoulisnotacompensation，butalife。Thesoul_is_。Underallthisrunningseaofcircumstance，whosewatersebbandflowwithperfectbalance，liestheaboriginalabyssofrealBeing。Essence，orGod，isnotarelation，orapart，butthewhole。

Beingisthevastaffirmative，excludingnegation，self-balanced，andswallowingupallrelations，parts，andtimeswithinitself。Nature，truth，virtue，aretheinfluxfromthence。Viceistheabsenceordepartureofthesame。Nothing，Falsehood，mayindeedstandasthegreatNightorshade，onwhich，asabackground，thelivinguniversepaintsitselfforth；butnofactisbegottenbyit；itcannotwork；

foritisnot。Itcannotworkanygood；itcannotworkanyharm。Itisharminasmuchasitisworsenottobethantobe。

Wefeeldefraudedoftheretributionduetoevilacts，becausethecriminaladherestohisviceandcontumacy，anddoesnotcometoacrisisorjudgmentanywhereinvisiblenature。Thereisnostunningconfutationofhisnonsensebeforemenandangels。Hashethereforeoutwittedthelaw？Inasmuchashecarriesthemalignityandtheliewithhim，hesofardeceasesfromnature。Insomemannertherewillbeademonstrationofthewrongtotheunderstandingalso；

butshouldwenotseeit，thisdeadlydeductionmakessquaretheeternalaccount。

Neithercanitbesaid，ontheotherhand，thatthegainofrectitudemustbeboughtbyanyloss。Thereisnopenaltytovirtue；

nopenaltytowisdom；theyareproperadditionsofbeing。Inavirtuousaction，Iproperly_am_；inavirtuousact，Iaddtotheworld；IplantintodesertsconqueredfromChaosandNothing，andseethedarknessrecedingonthelimitsofthehorizon。Therecanbenoexcesstolove；nonetoknowledge；nonetobeauty，whentheseattributesareconsideredinthepurestsense。Thesoulrefuseslimits，andalwaysaffirmsanOptimism，neveraPessimism。

Hislifeisaprogress，andnotastation。Hisinstinctistrust。Ourinstinctuses“more“and“less“inapplicationtoman，ofthe_presenceofthesoul_，andnotofitsabsence；thebravemanisgreaterthanthecoward；thetrue，thebenevolent，thewise，ismoreaman，andnotless，thanthefoolandknave。Thereisnotaxonthegoodofvirtue；forthatistheincomingofGodhimself，orabsoluteexistence，withoutanycomparative。Materialgoodhasitstax，andifitcamewithoutdesertorsweat，hasnorootinme，andthenextwindwillblowitaway。Butallthegoodofnatureisthesoul's，andmaybehad，ifpaidforinnature'slawfulcoin，thatis，bylaborwhichtheheartandtheheadallow。InolongerwishtomeetagoodIdonotearn，forexample，tofindapotofburiedgold，knowingthatitbringswithitnewburdens。Idonotwishmoreexternalgoods，——neitherpossessions，norhonors，norpowers，norpersons。Thegainisapparent；thetaxiscertain。Butthereisnotaxontheknowledgethatthecompensationexists，andthatitisnotdesirabletodiguptreasure。HereinIrejoicewithasereneeternalpeace。Icontracttheboundariesofpossiblemischief。IlearnthewisdomofSt。Bernard，——“Nothingcanworkmedamageexceptmyself；

theharmthatIsustainIcarryaboutwithme，andneveramarealsuffererbutbymyownfault。“

Inthenatureofthesoulisthecompensationfortheinequalitiesofcondition。TheradicaltragedyofnatureseemstobethedistinctionofMoreandLess。HowcanLessnotfeelthepain；

hownotfeelindignationormalevolencetowardsMore？Lookatthosewhohavelessfaculty，andonefeelssad，andknowsnotwellwhattomakeofit。Healmostshunstheireye；hefearstheywillupbraidGod。Whatshouldtheydo？Itseemsagreatinjustice。Butseethefactsnearly，andthesemountainousinequalitiesvanish。Lovereducesthem，asthesunmeltstheiceberginthesea。Theheartandsoulofallmenbeingone，thisbitternessof_His_and_Mine_

ceases。Hisismine。Iammybrother，andmybrotherisme。IfI

feelovershadowedandoutdonebygreatneighbours，Icanyetlove；I

canstillreceive；andhethatlovethmakethhisownthegrandeurheloves。TherebyImakethediscoverythatmybrotherismyguardian，actingformewiththefriendliestdesigns，andtheestateIsoadmiredandenviedismyown。Itisthenatureofthesoultoappropriateallthings。JesusandShakspearearefragmentsofthesoul，andbyloveIconquerandincorporatetheminmyownconsciousdomain。Hisvirtue，——isnotthatmine？Hiswit，——ifitcannotbemademine，itisnotwit。

Such，also，isthenaturalhistoryofcalamity。Thechangeswhichbreakupatshortintervalstheprosperityofmenareadvertisementsofanaturewhoselawisgrowth。Everysoulisbythisintrinsicnecessityquittingitswholesystemofthings，itsfriends，andhome，andlaws，andfaith，astheshell-fishcrawlsoutofitsbeautifulbutstonycase，becauseitnolongeradmitsofitsgrowth，andslowlyformsanewhouse。Inproportiontothevigoroftheindividual，theserevolutionsarefrequent，untilinsomehappiermindtheyareincessant，andallworldlyrelationshangverylooselyabouthim，becoming，asitwere，atransparentfluidmembranethroughwhichthelivingformisseen，andnot，asinmostmen，aninduratedheterogeneousfabricofmanydates，andofnosettledcharacterinwhichthemanisimprisoned。Thentherecanbeenlargement，andthemanofto-dayscarcelyrecognizesthemanofyesterday。Andsuchshouldbetheoutwardbiographyofmanintime，aputtingoffofdeadcircumstancesdaybyday，asherenewshisraimentdaybyday。Buttous，inourlapsedestate，resting，notadvancing，resisting，notcooperatingwiththedivineexpansion，thisgrowthcomesbyshocks。

Wecannotpartwithourfriends。Wecannotletourangelsgo。

Wedonotseethattheyonlygoout，thatarchangelsmaycomein。Weareidolatersoftheold。Wedonotbelieveintherichesofthesoul，initspropereternityandomnipresence。Wedonotbelievethereisanyforceinto-daytorivalorrecreatethatbeautifulyesterday。Welingerintheruinsoftheoldtent，whereoncewehadbreadandshelterandorgans，norbelievethatthespiritcanfeed，cover，andnerveusagain。Wecannotagainfindaughtsodear，sosweet，sograceful。Butwesitandweepinvain。ThevoiceoftheAlmightysaith，`Upandonwardforevermore！'Wecannotstayamidtheruins。Neitherwillwerelyonthenew；andsowewalkeverwithrevertedeyes，likethosemonsterswholookbackwards。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读