i66 The Morality of Nature 



It Is clear that to demand or accept help is the privilege only 

 of necessity, and its appropriation by selfishness is a wrong, 

 even when the help is freely given in virtue. The economic 

 value of altruism consists in the net final gain of efficiency. 

 There is no advantage in a mere shifting of labor from one 

 to another unless its burden is thus lessened. The change, 

 to be beneficial, must be one in which the new worker can 

 perform the task more easily with equal results, or if less 

 easily, then with greater results. The doing for another 

 what he sorely needs and yet cannot do for himself (as min- 

 istry in sickness) is the ideal social altruism; but to do what 

 another does not need, or what he could better do alone, is 

 but a misjudged effort. The principle is established in 

 ultimate greater good, and although it is often superior to 

 a regard for immediate results, its sentimental value rests 

 upon its final physical advantage. Altruism is the supporter 

 of faith and hope and justice and truth as well as of charity, 

 and in the upward evolution of human conduct it can be 

 seen ever reaching out for more recognition. In superla- 

 tive shyness typical of its unarmed weakness, it shrinks 

 back from bad faith at the same time that it advances 

 heroically to self-sacrifice for a cause which reciprocates its 

 brotherhood. 



With the conception of conduct as the activity of an 

 organized society, it is observable and easily understandable 

 that a lineage may gather strength by the preparation of 

 sister lives, subordinated as aids to the main life current. A 

 family already numerous, when variation changes fortui- 

 tously the development of certain individuals, may use them 

 in a new capacity, which may prove beneficial to the family 



