FoREL, Nerve Hygiene. 189 



good sense and a good disposition, as she chooses a bridegroom. 

 The capable young man ought to have a care not to marry a 

 money-bag, or a hysterical siren, or a body without a soul, but a 

 sensible, modest, industrious, respectable and intelligent young 

 woman. 



Meanwhile, let the able-bodied and sound of brain not be 

 affected by any silly, pessimistic philosophy, but seek each other 

 in love and in marriage, bring forth children without careful re- 

 gard of money, for, with the right choice in marriage, good for- 

 tune will not fail them. 



But what shall we do with the others, with the eccentric, 

 stupid, wicked, defective ? This is a question as difficult as it 

 is critical. They should be prevented from multiplying them- 

 selves, for they will only bring forth mental cripples, unhappi- 

 ness for themselves and for their children. They bring forth 

 unfortunates who will afterwards execrate their parents. One 

 simple and safe counsel that ought, however, to reach the good 

 as well as the evil, the highest genius as well as the dullard, 

 would prevent much evil. Renounce forever all those system- 

 atically stupefying, brutalizing and demoralizing factors of hu- 

 man misery — the alcoholic drinks, and also the so-called " en- 

 joyment" of narcotics. Flee the perilous counsel of the pessi- 

 mists, who cry : " After us the deluge." That flood of men- 

 tal disaster which these very people, so heartless and selfish, 

 inflict upon their descendants may overtake themselve before 

 death reaches them ; for selfishness brings forth misery ; love, 

 happiness. 



