THE PERFECT SOCIALISM 93 



path of progress broadens so that at least two walk 

 side by side. Then comes the forming of the individ- 

 uals and families into societies, and many unite for the 

 sake of protection or other advantage ; and now the 

 road is widened to admit many walking abreast ; but 

 they must press on shoulder to slioulder and the rear 

 ranks perhaps in lock-step. The individual is no longer 

 important except as he helps the whole ; and any indi- 

 vidual deviation from the beaten path is pronounced 

 criminal by society and stamped out by evolution as 

 a useless variation. 



In the first and lower stage the individual is a per- 

 fect sphere, fully rounded in individuality. He owes 

 nothing to the world ; and utter selfishness is right for 

 him because that is the path of his development. In 

 the second stage the individual is no longer a perfect 

 sphere but is flattened on two sides ; he must sacrifice 

 self for the sake of his mate and offspring. Then the 

 social unit is composed of two or three cells, none of 

 them perfectly rounded individuals ; it is then two or 

 three against the vporld. Then societies are formed 

 and the organism is many celled ; the individual is no 

 longer rounded on any side ; his rights are modified by 

 the rights of every one around him ; he now receives 

 protection from the whole, and his individual develop- 

 ment is modified by the laws that tend to the ultimate 



