164 APHORISMS AND REFLECTIONS 



CCCLXII 



The actions we call sinful are as much the conse- 

 quence of the order of nature as those we call 

 virtuous. They are part and parcel of the struggle 

 for existence through which all living things have 

 passed, and they have become sins because man 

 alone seeks a higher life in voluntary association. 



Therefore the instrument has never been marred ; 

 on the contrary, we are trying to get music out of 

 harps, sacbuts, and psalteries, which never were in 

 tune and seemingly never will be. 



I have always been, am, and propose to remain a 

 mere scholar. All that I have ever proposed to my- 

 self is to say, this and this I have learned ; thus and 

 thus have I learned it : go thou and learn better ; but 

 do not thrust on my shoulders the responsibility for 

 your own laziness if you elect to take, on my 

 authority, conclusions, the value of which you ought 

 to have tested for yourself. 



There is endless backwoodsman's work yet to be 

 done. If "those also serve who only stand and 

 wait," still more do those who sweep and cleanse ; 

 and if any man elect to give his strength to the 

 weeder's and scavenger's occupation, I remain of the 

 opinion that his service should be counted acceptable, 

 and that no one has a right to ask more of him than 

 faithful performance of the duties he has undertaken. 

 I venture to count it an improbable suggestion that 

 any such person a man, let us say, who has well- 

 nigh reached his threescore years and ten, and has 



