120 SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT SCIENCE AND LIFE. 



for the purpose of this inquiry, arrive at some conclus- 

 ion about it without such an examination. Right living, 

 may then be said to consist in living in the most perfect 

 accord with natural and moral law. With natural law, 

 because this globe that we inhabit and that supports our 

 life, is governed by natural laws; with moral law, be- 

 cause by means of moral law, it is possible for men to 

 live together in society, and by this living together in 

 society, the highest development of man becomes possi- 

 ble. In other words, the completest living comes from 

 man being in the completest accord with his environ- 

 ment — an environment that is both physical and moral. 



If we try to ignore the law of gravitation and jump to 

 to the ground from the top of the house, we shall cer- 

 tainly suffer serious physical and probably mental injury 

 also, if we do not lose life itself. If we pretend that 

 fire does not burn, or if we are ignorant of this property 

 of fire, and thrust our hand into the flame, we shall cer- 

 tainly be burned. If we grossly or only slightly violate 

 the laws of health, the certain punishment of violation 

 will follow. 



And equally so, if we pay no heed to the rights of 

 others ; if we take what does not belong to us ; if we pay 

 no regard to truth ; if we are selfishly self-seeking and 

 unsympathic, retribution of some sort will follow — a 

 retribution that will interfere with the satisfaction of liv- 

 ing, and in so far, will make life incomplete and stunted. 

 These things, when once stated, are obvious enough. 

 We cannot expect to live a full and well-rounded life if 

 we are out of accord with our environment ; and in pro- 

 portion to the deficiency and disagreement, is the meas- 

 ure of our life's incompleteness. 



It is important then, nay, it is essential, in order that 

 we may live a perfect life that we should be in perfect 

 accord with our environment — that we should be in per- 

 fect accord with the physical laws of the universe and 



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