The Ideal State 283 



import, for instance, such a substance as cotton, super- 

 vise factories, and send the finished product over the 

 length and breadth of the land to help to clothe the 

 multitude if there is to be no reward for this labour and 

 thought ? " It would certainly be very difficult to get 

 anyone to do such work at the present time for a mere 

 livelihood, even with all the advantages of art, litera- 

 ture, and learning, which, as we have already indicated, 

 are open to all. It is surely, however, not a difficult 

 thing to believe that in a more advanced stage of 

 spiritual evolution a man of energy would find the 

 greatest satisfaction in the knowledge that in his own 

 particular sphere, and according to his ability, he was 

 serving mankind to the utmost extent of his capacity. 

 There is no reason why the idea of acquiring wealth or 

 property should ever occur to his mind, as it is never 

 possible for him to forget the many and great advan- 

 tages which the State confers in every possible way, and 

 not least in showing him the pathway to reality — of 

 true self-realisation. 



It may be asked : " Can no one, then, obtain any 

 special work of art to adorn his own household ? " We 

 have no doubt, and cannot conceive that the desire for 

 artistic beauty would not be encouraged in every way, 

 but it must not be allowed ever to interfere with the 

 general advantage, and therefore all great works must 

 find a home in special galleries where they can be 

 studied and admired by the general body of the people. 

 The collections of great paintings on the part of rich 

 men in their own residences is not to be encouraged or 

 admired ; the pleasure derived from their contempla- 

 tion is of so thoroughly selfish a character that it can 

 confer no elevation of soul : it is a stream of pure water 

 polluted at its source. There are some men of large 

 outlook and possessed by true altruism who have 

 been able to enjoy the delight of self-sacrifice and given 



