personal possessions or qualities, the action that causes pain or
inconvenience or discomfort to associates or dependents, all of which
are the most common forms of transgression among the uncultivated?

In his famous address on "The Progress of Culture," delivered before a
celebrated college society in Cambridge in 1867, Emerson summed up the
whole matter in one sentence: "The foundation of culture, as of
character, is at last the moral sentiment." Here is the whole secret in
a single sentence. The restraining grace is "at last the moral
sentiment." It is a fine genuine unselfishness that, observing how all
these things may pain and wound, refrains from doing any of them. The
man or woman or family who can avoid transgressing in these particulars
can do so habitually only as the result of a fine moral sentiment
underlying the whole nature. And those who possess or have cultivated in
themselves this fine moral sentiment of unselfishness, justice, and
considerateness, will be surrounded by an atmosphere of culture though
their dwelling-place be an uncarpeted cabin, while those who lack this
restraining grace will be "uncultivated" though their surroundings
afford every comfort, beauty, and luxury. It should be a thought of
encouragement to us, and an inspiration of hope that we may possess the
true and imperishable riches of a cultivated spirit, however poor and
struggling our lives may be, or however barren of external beauty our
surroundings. Culture depends not on material possessions. In fact, the
very abundance of conveniences and comforts and elegances often seems to
have an injurious and deteriorating effect on individuals and families
by producing in them a selfish love of personal ease and exclusiveness.
On the other hand, the painful and patient economizing of humble toilers
often produces an unselfishness and patience and gentleness of demeanor
which is in effect the very finest culture.