Make yourself necessary to the world, and mankind
will give you bread, and if not store of it, yet such
as shall not take away your property in all men's
possessions, in all men's affections, in art, in na-
ture, and in hope.

You will not fear that I am enjoining too stern
an asceticism. Ask not, Of what use is a scholar-
ship that systematically retreats? or, Who is the
better for the philosopher who conceals his accom-
plishments, and hides his thoughts from the wait-
ing world? Hides his thoughts! Hide the sun
and moon. Thought is all light, and publishes it-
self to the universe. It will speak, though you
were dumb, by its own miraculous organ. It will
flow out of your actions, your manners, and your
face. It will bring you friendships. It will im-
pledge you to truth by the love and expectation of
generous minds. By virtue of the laws of that Na-
ture which is one and perfect, it shall yield every
sincere good that is in the soul to the scholar be-
loved of earth and heaven.

-454-