INTRODUCTORY 7 



These ideas will conflict very much with the 

 present prevailing prejudices, and it is natural 

 that they should do so. How can it be admitted 

 that man should obey other motives than that 

 of money ? How will it be believed that a morality 

 will exist which will dignify man to the point of 

 being useful to his like solely for the satisfaction 

 of being so ? 



The suggestive power which a morality, however 

 false it may be, exercises upon a man is proved by 

 the sentiment of honour and love for one's country 

 making nations arm themselves to the teeth for the 

 despoliation of each other, especially the weakest 

 ones. 



It is of no import that the Christian religion says 

 in one of its finest precepts : " Love your neighbour 

 as yourself," because society is organised in such 

 an absurd way that men have to deaden their 

 consciences, and so it is not a rare thing to see 

 ministers of a religion of peace implore the support 

 of a God who is all love for the more effective 

 destruction of the neighbour for whom pardon is 

 asked every day. 



All this could not be more absurd and ridiculous, 

 and yet it is seen as a common fact. The power of 

 the suggestion of morality is so forcible in man that 

 not only does it impel him to irrational things, but 

 it leads him to be in a constant state of apostasy in 



