From Pillar to Post 



sphere. Adam lacked wisdom so far as not to 

 consider fully the advantage at hand before 

 seeking greater ones beyond his reach. Con- 

 tent our weapon, we may laugh at flaming 

 swords. Eden is ours if we elect to move for- 

 ward and possess it. 



If all was good and fair we met, 

 This earth had been the Paradise. 



I should keenly regret this sentiment being 

 accepted universally as good philosophy. I do 

 not think it is philosophical at all. What is not 

 good a,s we view it is so because we view it 

 wrongly. The fault is in ourselves. What is 

 truly ugly! Our imperfect vision makes many 

 a straight line crooked, and twists to unseemly 

 angles the curve of beauty. All ugliness is in 

 ourselves. I love the earth too dearly to hear 

 it maligned. 



If all were good, goodness would cease to be. 

 It is a comparative condition, and rational en- 

 joyment consists in appreciating that what is 

 might be less, as we would have it. Had we no 

 recollection of sour, unripe fruit, we would lose 

 the delight of eating fruit that is perfect. Just 

 in proportion as we take the affairs of life as 



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