Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII THOUGHT IN ITS MORAL ASPECTS "Moral culture must begin with a change in the way of thinking, and with the founding of a character."--Kant. The Orientals have a theory that thoughts are things composed of a certain kind of "spiritual substance," and are capable of being transmitted from one mind to another. Hence a man who thinks bad thoughts all day long is filling the intellectual atmosphere with odious exhalations to the detriment of his fellows. "The more pure thought there is," says the Orientalist, "the less likely are men's brains to be invaded by evil ideas, and when unscrupulous thinkers have ceased to exist the long-expected reign of purity will begin." We are not disciples of this Eastern Philosophy, but we are disciples of that teaching which says that mental action is capable of moral consequences. When the imagination is allowed to run riot the injury is moral as well as intellectual. One pities the poor hypochondriac who is afraid to walk abroad lest some tame animal should devour him, and the madman who imagines he is William the Conqueror or Charles the Bald; but just as an overstrain may beget abnormal mental conditions, so may an indulgence in libidinous fancies work sad mischief in debasing character. This is what the Hebrew writer meant when he said: "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." There is a close relationship between thought and action. Many of those hostilities which have taken place between rival parties in Science, Religion, and Politics have been the outcome of prejudiced or careless reasoning. The progress of Science may be hindered by personal jealousy; one wrong argument may wreck the interests of a church; and the peace of a country may depend on a...