The socialists as their own critics when they denounce the
actual motives of the able man as he is and as they say he
always has been. They attack the typically able man of all
periods as a monster of congenital selfishness, and it is men of
this special type whom they propose to transform suddenly into
monsters of self-abnegation.

Their want of faith in the efficacy of their own moral suasion
and their proposal to supplement this by the ballot.


CHAPTER X

INDIVIDUAL MOTIVE AND DEMOCRACY

Exaggerated powers ascribed to democracy by inaccurate thinkers.

An example from an essay by a recent philosophic thinker, with
special reference to the rewards of exceptional ability.

This writer maintains that the money rewards of ability can be
determined by the opinion of the majority expressing itself
through votes and statutes.

The writer's typical error. A governing body might enact any
laws, but they would not be obeyed unless consonant with human
nature.

Laws are obliged to conform to the propensities of human nature
which it is their office to regulate.