CHAP, vi COMTE'S LA WGIVING 57 



living on salaries small salaries. As we know already, 

 they are to be debarred from political power and from 

 business activity. The intellectual training of youth is 

 to be entrusted to them, and also medical practice. 

 They are, above all things, to beware of specialism. 

 It has been remarked that Comte is almost as much 

 opposed to specialist "pedantry" as to metaphysics. 

 The great champion of scientific certainty is becoming 

 more and more jealous of mere knowledge. Utility is 

 to be everywhere kept in view. Priests are to " direct " 

 consciences by counsel, not by force. It will be re- 

 membered that they may sometimes advise the dictators, 

 and that, where necessary, they are to oppose them. 

 The tremendous weapon of excommunication is in the 

 priests' hands. 



Business is to be carried on by captains of industry, 

 directing proletaires. But capitalists who have had the 

 benefit of positivist training in youth, and who walk all 

 their days in the fear and love of the " spiritual power," 

 are sure to regard their position mainly as a social 

 function, and to seek for no profits beyond a reasonable 

 salary or " living wage." If necessary, strikes and 

 locks-out may still be resorted to ; but such an emergency 

 can seldom or never arise, under the fostering care of a 

 wise priesthood. Every man is to be regarded as doing 

 social service by his work. No mere " cash nexus " is to 

 hold society together. As with one's professional 

 attendant, so with the tradesman or artizan whom one 

 employs, one is to feel that he has earned a debt of 

 friendship. On this point Comte's teaching is surely 

 large-hearted and nobly wise. 



Positivist education, especially as carried on by 

 mothers, will be moral even more than intellectual. 

 And afterwards, the influence of the priesthood, of 



