SELF KNOWLEDGE 



We must take heed, then, I repeat, how we too rashly 

 deprecate the ambition that stimulates to progressive 

 action. The world has use for every superior mind. 

 The "mute inglorious Milton" is forgotten and de- 

 serves to be forgotten, since he has done naught for 

 which to be remembered. It is the voiceful, glorious 

 Milton, known by his works, whom the world loves to 

 remember. But he himself would never have known 

 his power had he not striven to rise. 



So when we see the eager youth from the country 

 casting wistful glances toward the vortex of the city, 

 we must needs hesitate before we declare that he is 

 yearning after false ideals. Most of those that try that 

 fiery contest will beyond peradventure be found want- 

 ing; yet now and then there issues from the motley 

 throng a man of genius. According to those standards 

 which Nature has everywhere established for organic 

 beings, this is as much as could be hoped. From the 

 standpoint of world-progress, what matters the loss of 

 the thousands of mediocre minds what matters the 

 agony of spirit in which their lives are blotted out- 

 compared to the gain through genesis of one of these 

 superior minds ? Napoleon's cynical " Canst thou make 

 an omelette without spoiling eggs?" applies no less in 

 struggles of civic life than on the veritable battlefield. 



Yet even while we admit all this, and are disposed in 

 the interests of human progress to do obeisance to the 

 great master-builder of civilisation, King Discontent, 

 we may challenge, from the standpoint of our present 

 thesis, the beneficence of over-ambition for the indi- 

 vidual. We may scarcely doubt that even though am- 



