MINE AND THINE 85 



concurrent endowment, of saying not "either," "or," but 

 " both." 



This is the characteristic way of spirit, and nothing but 

 spirit can perform this feat of making everything an 

 element in its own life, and deepening its reality and en- 

 riching its objective worth at the same time. Animal life 

 consumes its material and does not reinstate it. It not 

 only uses but uses up. And it is on this account that 

 biological metaphors when applied to the State are mis- 

 leading. "Struggle for existence," "Survival of the 

 fittest," can apply only when every individual lives at the 

 expense of his neighbour, and finds his strength in his 

 weakness. Such a biological "State" is, in fact, not 

 possible. 



For a similar reason, the economic view of society also 

 fails ; though it is as much more adequate than the bio- 

 logical view, as the biological is than the purely mechanical 

 or individualistic. In the economic sphere the need of 

 preserving the "other" just begins to make itself felt. 

 For what we have in this region, in the last resort, is an 

 exchange of utilities. 1 Nevertheless "the other," the 

 purchasing, selling, the producing and consuming rival, 

 whether an individual or a community, though no longer 

 a mere opponent to be destroyed, is still mere means. 

 The altruistic reference is present, but it is indirect. In a 

 purely economic state neighbours would tolerate one 

 another, but each would find his end in himself. Hence 

 the economic view, respecting, as it does, only natural 

 necessities, can never account for the State. For this we 



1 This is the truth which Protectionists forget : for they would sell 

 and not buy, which is a very difficult transaction and has to reckon with 

 " the nature of things." 



