You rob them of the content which has made them
comfortable heretofore, and yet you offer them nothing better in return
for it. You would have society turned topsy-turvy, and all for what?
Why, simply to make a wrong thing right for yourself! If your example
were followed by all the unhappy people in the world, how would it end,
do you think? There must be moral laws, and it is inevitable that they
should press hardly on individuals occasionally; but it is clearly the
duty of individuals to sacrifice themselves for the good of the
community at large."
"I do not understand your morality," she said. "Do you think that,
although I love another man, it would be right for me to go back and
live with my husband?"
"Right, but, under the circumstances, not advisable. And, at any rate,
nothing would make it moral for you to go to that other man."
"Oh! do not fill my mind with doubt," she pleaded, piteously. "I love
him. Let me go."
I did not answer her, and after a while she began again, passionately--
"We _are_ free agents in these things. Individuals _must_ know what is
best for themselves.
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