i8o The Morality of Nature 



the production of wealth, with a consequent independence 

 of necessity, affording the opportunity for cultivation of the 

 intellect, and for exploration of science. But it can be 

 carried on in effectiveness only so far as the force and 

 numbers of the community continue to find beneficial; or so 

 long as outside aggressive forces and numbers remain either 

 inferior or acquiescent. Wealth which by misuse or super- 

 fluity provokes the cupidity of others to the point of attack, 

 is not a benefit but an evil to its owner, whether the others 

 thus provoked are right or wrong, and whether they are 

 of the owner's race, or of an invading barbarism. And even 

 without open hostility as a consequence, wealth may be so 

 exaggerated as to incur the disadvantages of a disunited 

 membership, and loss of cohesion in the community. 



And similarly on the other hand the social right of com- 

 mon enjoyment of advancing prosperity by industry, can 

 be developed only so far as will still enable the aggregate 

 to recognize the natural principle of individual responsi- 

 bility, and of due personal title in the products of effort; 

 and of support with its consequent stimulation, of any 

 superior skill and enterprise, by superior rewards. There 

 is only a passing interest in equality as an incentive to con- 

 duct. Equality of interest ceases to be a question or factor 

 if the community fails or ceases to produce unequally any- 

 thing to be interested in. 



It becomes clear that the successful conduct which relates 

 itself to its associates, can advance but little without pro- 

 portionate advance by those associates. It may be expressed 

 in other words that the benefits of altruistic civilization, 

 attained by reciprocal support, can be cultivated only by 



