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to their assertions； was supernatural。 But now we all possess a
very simple and clear definition of the activity of art and science；
which excludes every thing supernatural： science and art promise to
carry out the mental activity of mankind； for the welfare of
society； or of all the human race。
The definition of scientific science and art is entirely correct；
but； unfortunately； the activity of the present arts and sciences
does not come under this head。 Some of them are directly injurious；
others are useless； others still are worthless；good only for the
wealthy。 They do not fulfil that which； by their own definition；
they have undertaken to accomplish； and hence they have as little
right to regard themselves as men of art and science； as a corrupt
priesthood； which does not fulfil the obligations which it has
assumed； has the right to regard itself as the bearer of divine
truth。
And it can be understood why the makers of the present arts and
sciences have not fulfilled； and cannot fulfil； their vocation。
They do not fulfil it； because out of their obligations they have
erected a right。
Scientific and artistic activity； in its real sense； is only
fruitful when it knows no rights； but recognizes only obligations。
Only because it is its property to be always thus； does mankind so
highly prize this activity。 If men really were called to the
service of others through artistic work； they would see in that work
only obligation； and they would fulfil it with toil； with
privations； and with self…abnegation。
The thinker or the artist will never sit calmly on Olympian heights；
as we have become accustomed to represent them to ourselves。 The
thinker or the artist should suffer in company with the people； in
order that he may find salvation or consolation。 Besides this； he
will suffer because he is always and eternally in turmoil and
agitation： he might decide and say that that which would confer
welfare on men； would free them from suffering； would afford them
consolation； but he has not said so； and has not presented it as he
should have done； he has not decided； and he has not spoken； and to…
morrow； possibly； it will be too late；he will die。 And therefore
suffering and self…sacrifice will always be the lot of the thinker
and the artist。
Not of this description will be the thinker and artist who is reared
in an establishment where； apparently； they manufacture the learned
man or the artist （but in point of fact； they manufacture destroyers
of science and of art）； who receives a diploma and a certificate；
who would be glad not to think and not to express that which is
imposed on his soul； but who cannot avoid doing that to which two
irresistible forces draw him；an inward prompting； and the demand
of men。
There will be no sleek； plump； self…satisfied thinkers and artists。
Spiritual activity； and its expression； which are actually necessary
to others； are the most burdensome of all man's avocations； a cross；
as the Gospels phrase it。 And the sole indubitable sign of the
presence of a vocation is self…devotion； the sacrifice of self for
the manifestation of the power that is imposed upon man for the
benefit of others。
It is possible to study out how many beetles there are in the world；
to view the spots on the sun； to write romances and operas； without
suffering； but it is impossible； without self…sacrifice； to instruct
people in their true happiness； which consists solely in
renunciation of self and the service of others； and to give strong
expression to this doctrine； without self…sacrifice。
Christ did not die on the cross in vain； not in vain does the
sacrifice of suffering conquer all things。
But our art and science are provided with certificates and diplomas；
and the only anxiety of all men is； how to still better guarantee
them； i。e。； how to render the service of the people impracticable
for them。
True art and true science possess two unmistakable marks： the
first； an inward mark； which is this； that the servitor of art and
science will fulfil his vocation； not for profit but with self…
sacrifice； and the second； an external sign；his productions will
be intelligible to all the people whose welfare he has in view。
No matter what people have fixed upon as their vocation and their
welfare； science will be the doctrine of this vocation and welfare；
and art will be the expression of that doctrine。 That which is
called science and art； among us； is the product of idle minds and
feelings； which have for their object to tickle similar idle minds
and feelings。 Our arts and sciences are incomprehensible； and say
nothing to the people； for they have not the welfare of the common
people in view。
Ever since the life of men has been known to us； we find； always and
everywhere； the reigning doctrine falsely designating itself as
science； not manifesting itself to the common people； but obscuring
for them the meaning of life。 Thus it was among the Greeks the
sophists； then among the Christians the mystics； gnostics；
scholastics； among the Hebrews the Talmudists and Cabalists； and so
on everywhere； down to our own times。
How fortunate it is for us that we live in so peculiar an age； when
that mental activity which calls itself science； not only does not
err； but finds itself； as we are assured； in a remarkably
flourishing condition！ Does not this peculiar good fortune arise
from the fact that man can not and will not see his own hideousness？
Why is there nothing left of those sciences； and sophists； and
Cabalists； and Talmudists； but words； while we are so exceptionally
happy？ Surely the signs are identical。 There is the same self…
satisfaction and blind confidence that we； precisely we； and only
we； are on the right path； and that the real thing is only beginning
with us。 There is the same expectation that we shall discover
something remarkable； and that chief sign which leads us astray
convicts us of our error： all our wisdom remains with us； and the
common people do not understand； and do not accept； and do not need
it。
Our position is a very difficult one； but why not look at it
squarely？
It is time to recover our senses； and to scrutinize ourselves。
Surely we are nothing else than the scribes and Pharisees； who sit
in Moses' seat； and who have taken the keys of the kingdom of
heaven； and will neither go in ourselves； nor permit others to go
in。 Surely we； the high priests of science and art； are ourselves
worthless deceivers； possessing much less right to our position than
the most crafty and depraved priests。 Surely we have no
justification for our privileged position。 The priests had a right
to their position： they declared that they taught the people life
and salvation。 But we have taken their place； and we do not
instruct the people in life；we even admit that such instruction is
unnecessary；but we educate our children in the same Talmudic…Greek
and Latin grammar； in order that they may be able to pursue the same
life of parasites which we lead ourselves。 We say； 〃There used to
be castes； but there are none among us。〃 But what does it mean；
that some people and their children