The times., 1900-12-27

test against the false idea of altruism,
which has spoilt many lives since it be-
gan its insistent way. In his Ethics of
the Dust" he makes his lecturer reply
to the wondering query why one should
not sacrifice ones self for others,
why not rather others for you7''
The sensitive listener replies:
"oh, but couldn't bear that!''
Then the lecturer quietly rejoins:
'And why should they bear it?''
There is certainly little reason, in the
majority Of homes, foI one person to
sacrifice his tastes. pleasures, and well
fare wholly to those of another. The
needs of An invalid, of little children. or
of the aged and helpless, are, of course.
to receive all possible consideration, and
there is enough Of this service needed to
occupy the energies of most people dur
ing sumo part of their time. But for a
healthy person. in possession of all his
faculties, to demand the absorption of
another life in his or her own is mere
selfish folly. What this world needs is
less self-sacrifce and more justice.
Suppose one member Of family has
strong talent for music, while another has
an equally marked talent for business. Is
either one of these persons to demand the
suppression of the others ability to be
useful. on the plea that such suppression
is an act of altruism? What becomes CT
the victims duty to the world? Is 1t not al
truism to do the things one can do we'll,
with view TO the good of others. as well
as to give up all ones natural inclinations
to do distasteful duties for the sake of one
other person? Moreover, what is likely to
be the effect on the character of the person
who demands and accepts such sacrifice?
Most candid Observers Of human nature
will agree that it generally promotes
not only selfishness. but unhappiness.
The man whose wife sacrifices herself
entirely to his whims is apt to think
himself ill-used II he does not get
the same Difference from others-and
he is not likely ever to get it. The wife
who has wrecked her husbands career by
continual demands upon his strength, time,
and emotional nature is apt 10 fret herself
miserable because her children love their
father better than they do her, and to feel
aggrieved if they perceive at an early age
ths fact that their father is always giving,
and their mother always demanding. II
there is ever a reason for one human being
sacrificing possible career for the sake of
another 1t exists in the relations Of hus-
band and wife, since no success can wholly
compensate a woman for the loss of do
nestle happiness, and the success OF her
husband. if attained through her help. gen.
orally gives her even greater pleasure than
any which she might win for herself Yet
even in this relation arbitrary demands for
such sacrifice can be carried too far.
There is no reason why homo in which
all the members have strong End individ-
ual interests should not be happy one.
The home interest and the business inter-
est are separate. at best. and people are
generally HAPPIER when they can escape
shop" during their leisure hours. More
over, compulsory sacrifice Of tastes does not |
result in real companionship. Would any
one wish to take to concert a companion
who went only from sense of duty, or
read aloud to one who listened from a de- |
sire to be thought appreeiative and affee-
iionate. rather than from real interest in
the book?