Not once in a thousand
lives has a man such opportunity to prove his godship and bless himself
and the world.
CHAPTER IX.
THE LAW OF INDIVIDUALITY.
All growth is by _learning_.
All learning comes by the gratification of desire. Truly, experience is
not only the best teacher, but the _only_ infallible one.
The gratification of desire, good or bad, leaves always one imperishable
residue of wisdom. The rest of the experience goes with the chaff
for burning.
Desire points invariably according to the individual's intelligence. In
proportion as this is faulty his desires are "bad."
What _is_ a bad desire, anyway? In the main "bad" desires are self-made
or thoughtlessly accepted. Dancing is wicked to a Methodist and "good"
to an Episcopalian.
But aside from these personal standpoints which are legion there is an
immutable Law, to which intelligence is conforming all action and
thought--the Law of Individuality--the Law recognized and expressed by
Confucius and Jesus in negative and positive forms of the "golden rule";
"Do not unto others what ye would not they should do unto you."
Interference with the freedom of the individual is "bad"--that is, _it
invariably brings pain_ to the one who interferes, in thought or deed.
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