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is the main object of man's existencework for subsistence
and glorying in their wasted time。 To argue with such is impossible； to
leave them is the only resource。
This our earth this day produces sufficient for our existence。
This our earth produces not only a sufficiency； but a
superabundance； and pours a cornucopia of good things down upon
us。 Further； it produces sufficient for stores and granaries to
be filled to the rooftree for years ahead。 I verily believe
that the earth in one year produces enough food to last for
thirty。 Why； then； have we not enough？ Why do people die of
starvation； or lead a miserable existence on the verge of it？
Why have millions upon millions to toil from morning to evening
just to gain a mere crust of bread？ Because of the absolute
lack of Organisation by which such labour should produce its
effect； the absolute lack of distribution； the absolute lack even of the
very idea that such things are possible。
Nay； even to mention such things； to say that they are possible； is criminal
with many。 Madness could hardly go farther。
That selfishness has all to do with it I entirely deny。 The
human race for ages upon ages has been enslaved by ignorance and
by interested persons whose object it has been to confine the
minds of men； thereby doing more injury than if with infected
hands they purposely imposed disease on the heads of the people。 Almost
worse than these； and at the present day as injurious； are those persons
incessantly declaring； teaching； and
impressing upon all that to work is man's highest condition。
This falsehood is the interested superstition of an age
infatuated with money； which having accumulated it cannot even
expend it in pageantry。 It is a falsehood propagated for the
doubtful benefit of two or three out of ten thousand； It is the
lie of a morality founded on money only； and utterly outside and
having no association whatever with the human being in itself。
Many superstitions have been got rid of in these days； time it is that this；
the last and worst； were eradicated。
At this hour； out of thirty…four millions who inhabit this
country； two…thirdssay twenty…two millionslive within thirty
years of that abominable institution the poorhouse。 That any
human being should dare to apply to another the epithet 〃pauper〃 is； to me；
the greatest； the vilest； the most unpardonable crime that could be
committed。 Each human being； by mere birth； has a birthright in this earth
and all its productions； and if they do not receive it； then it is they who
are injured； and it is not the 〃pauper〃oh； inexpressibly wicked word！it
is the well…to…do； who are the criminal classes。
It matters not in the least if the poor be improvident； or drunken； or evil
in any way。 Food and drink； roof and clothes； are the inalienable right of
every child born into the light。 If the world does not provide it
freelynot as a grudging gift but as a right； as a son of the house sits
down to breakfastthen is the world mad。 But the world is not mad； only in
ignorancean interested ignorance； kept up by strenuous exertions； from
which infernal darkness it will； in course of time； emerge； marvelling at
the past as a man wonders at and glories in the light who has escaped from
blindness。
CHAPTER XI
This our earth produces not only a sufficiency a superabundance； but in one
year pours a cornucopia of good things forth； enough to fill us for many
years in succession。 The only reason we do not enjoy it is the want of
rational organisation。 I know； of course； and all who think know； that some
labour or supervision will always necessary； since the plough must travel
the furrow and the seed must must be sown； but I maintain that a tenth；
nay； a hundredth； part of the labour and slavery now gone through will be
sufficient； and that in the course of time； as organisation perfects itself
and discoveries advance； even that part will diminish。 For the rise and fall
of the tides alone furnish forth sufficient power to do automatically all
the labour that is done on the earth。 Is ideal man； then； to be idle？ I
answer that； if so； I see no wrong； but a great good。 I deny altogether that
idleness is an evil； or that it produces evil； and I am well aware why the
interested are so bitter against idlenessnamely； because it gives time for
thought； and if men had time to think their reign would come to an end。
Idlenessthat is； the absence of the necessity to work for subsistenceis
a great good。
I hope succeeding generations will be able to be ideal。 I hope that
nine…tenths of their time will be leisure time； that they may enjoy their
days； and the earth； and the beauty of this beautiful world； that they may
rest by the sea and dream； that they may dance and sing； and eat and drink。
I will work towards that end with all my heart。 If employment they must
haveand the restlessness of the mind will insure that some will be
followedthen they will find scope enough in the perfection of their
physical frames； in the expansion of the mind； and in the
enlargement of the soul。 They shall not work for bread； but for
their souls。 I am willing to divide and share all I shall ever have for this
purpose； though I think the end will rather be gained by organisation than
by sharing alone。
In these material things； too； I think that we require another circle of
ideas； and I believe that such ideas are possible； and； in a manner of
speaking； exist。 Let me exhort every one to do their utmost to think outside
and beyond our present circle of ideas。 For every idea gained is a hundred
years of slavery remitted。 Even with the idea of organisation which promises
most I am not satisfied； but endeavour to get beyond and outside it； so that
the time now necessary may be shortened。 Besides which； I see that many of
our difficulties arise from obscure and remote causesobscure like the
shape of bones； for whose strange curves there is no familiar term。 We must
endeavour to understand the crookedness and unfamiliar curves of the
conditions of life。 Beyond that still there are other ideas。 Never； never
rest contented with any circle of ideas； but always be certain that a wider
one is still possible。 For my
thought is like a hyperbola that continually widens ascending。
For grief there is no known consolation。 It is useless to fill our hearts
with bubbles。 A loved one gone is gone； and as to the futureeven if there
is a futureit is unknown。 To assure ourselves otherwise is to soothe the
mind with illusions； the bitterness of it is inconsolable。 The sentiments of
trust chipped out on tombstones are touching instances of the innate
goodness of the human heart； which naturally longs for good； and sighs
itself to sleep in the hope that； if parted； the parting is for the benefit
of those that are gone。 But these inscriptions are also awful instances of
the deep intellectual darkness which presses still on the minds of men。 The
least thought erases them。 There is no consolation。 There is no relief。
There is no hope certain； the whole system is a mere illusion。 I； who hope
so much； and am so rapt up in the soul； know full well that there is no
certainty。
The tomb cries