t*, and is often lost unconsciously. The first
surrender of it is prone to be final and lifelong. Indeed, in many cases,
the passion destined to be dominant has nearly reached the maturity of its
power previously to any outward violation of the expedient or the right.
Where the restraining influences of education and surroundings are strong,
where important interests are at stake, or where conscience has not been
habitually silenced or tampered with, the perilous appetite, desire, or
affection broods long in the thought, and is so largely indulged in
reverie and anticipation, that it becomes imperious and despotic before it
assumes its wonted forms of outward manifestation. Hence, the sudden
infatuation and rapid ruin which we sometimes witness,--the cases in which
there seems but a single step between innocence and deep depravity. In
truth there are many steps; but until they become precipitous, they are
veiled from human sight.

*Self-control*, then, in order to be effective, *must be exercised upon
the thoughts and feelings*, especially upon the imagination, which fills
so largely with its phantasms and day-dreams our else unoccupied hours.
Let these hours be as few as possible; and let them be filled with
thoughts which we would not blush to utter, with plans which we could
actualize with the approving suffrage of all good men. The inward life
which would dread expression and exposure, already puts the outward life
in peril; for passion, thus inwardly nourished and fostered, can hardly
fail to assume sooner or later the control of the conduct and the shaping
of the character. Let the thoughts be well governed, and the life is
emancipated from passion, and under the control of reason and principle.

Section IV.

Moral Self-Culture.

It is evident that, *whatever a man's aims may be, the attainment of them
depends more upon himself than upon any agency that he can employ*. If his
aim be extended influence, his words and acts have simply the force which
his character gives them. If his aim be usefulness, his own personality
measures in part the value of his gifts, and determines entirely the worth
of his services. If his aim be happiness, the more of a man he is, the
larger is his capacity of enjoyment; for as a dog gets more enjoyment out
of life than a zooephyte, and a man than a dog, so does the fully and
symmetrically developed man exceed in receptivity of happiness him wh