of society, for to them right and wrong were but relative
terms. Definition is always limitation--the "fixed" and
"unchangeless" are but terms expressive of a stoppage of
growth. Said Kuzugen,--"The Sages move the world."
Our standards of morality are begotten of the past needs of
society, but is society to remain always the same? The observance
of communal traditions involves a constant sacrifice of the
individual to the state. Education, in order to keep up the
mighty delusion, encourages a species of ignorance. People
are not taught to be really virtuous, but to behave properly.
We are wicked because we are frightfully self-conscious.
We nurse a conscience because we are afraid to tell the truth
to others; we take refuge in pride because we are afraid to tell
the truth to ourselves. How can one be serious with the world
when the world itself is so ridiculous! The spirit of barter is
everywhere. Honour and Chastity! Behold the complacent
salesman retailing the Good and True. One can even buy a
so-called Religion, which is really but common morality
sanctified with flowers and music. Rob the Church of her
accessories and what remains behind? Yet the trusts thrive
marvelously, for the prices are absurdly cheap, --a prayer for
a ticket to heaven, a diploma for an honourable citizenship.
Hide yourself under a bushel quickly, for if your real
usefulness were known to the world you would soon be
knocked down to the highest bidder by the public auctioneer.
Why do men and women like to advertise themselves so much?
Is it not but an instinct derived from the days of slavery?

The virility of the idea lies not less in its power of breaking
through contemporary thought than in its capacity for dominating