ON THE RELATION OF ART TO SCIENCE AND 

 MORALITY 



THE most singular phenomenon of language in its relation 

 to thought is our inability to define the words expressive 

 of ideas by which we are principally influenced in life. We 

 cannot make satisfactory definitions of God, goodness, truth, 

 beauty, poetry, love. The prudent man abstains from 

 definitions in such cases, feeling sure that his audience, if 

 they are capable of listening to his argument, will be 

 provided with general notions sufficient to make his meaning 

 clear. 



Perhaps the reason why no satisfactory definitions can 

 be given of goodness, beauty, truth, is that these ideas blend 

 in our spiritual nature, so that, when we seek to distinguish 

 them, we violate the unity of our higher self. 



Yet a man may be permitted at times to play this 

 impossible game of definitions as a kind of intellectual 

 pastime, recognising its inefficiency, but acknowledging 

 suggestive and stimulative value in the sport. 



We may say, for instance, that goodness is the quality in 

 things and living creatures which makes them perfect in their 

 several kinds, and adapts them to their special functions. It 

 is a quality of essence. 



We may say that beauty is the quality in things and 

 living creatures which makes them delightful to our sensi- 

 bility. It is inseparable from some mode of presentation. It 

 is a quality, not of essence, but of aspect and appearance. 



We may say that truth is conformity to what is actual 



