AN AMERICAN RELIGION

¶ I believe that no one can harm us but ourselves; that sin is misdirected energy; that there is no devil but fear; and that the Universe is planned for good ❦ We know that work is a blessing, that Winter is as necessary as Summer, that Night is as useful as Day, that Death is a manifestation of Life, and just as good. I believe in the Now and Here. I believe in you and I believe in a power that is in ourselves that makes for righteousness ❦ ❦ ❦

THE
PHILOSOPHY
OF
ELBERT HUBBARD

THE ROYCROFTERS

Copyright, 1916, by
The Roycrofters

¶ Why not make this
a world of friends?

CONTENTS

The American Philosophy[11]
Freedom and Responsibility[25]
Corporal Punishment[30]
Purpled Ease[39]
Consecrated Lives[57]
Marriage and Divorce[65]
The Taxation of Church Property[79]
Free Motherhood[96]
Why I Am a Philistine[104]
Oral Righteousness[122]
The Health Habit[128]
The Elks’ Creed[134]
Remember the Weekday[143]
Reciprocity[148]
Vaccination[153]
Equal Suffrage[159]
Just Boys[163]
The Sea[168]
Epigrams[171]

CREDO

Elbert Hubbard

¶ I believe in the Motherhood of God. I believe in the blessed Trinity of Father, Mother and Child. ¶ I believe that God is here, and that we are as near Him now as ever we shall be. I do not believe He started this world a-going and went away and left it to run itself. I believe that we are all sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be. I believe the only way we can reach the Kingdom of Heaven is to have the Kingdom of Heaven in our hearts. ¶ I believe in freedom—social, economic, domestic, political, mental, spiritual ❦ I believe in every man minding his own business. I believe in sunshine, fresh air, friendship, calm sleep, beautiful thoughts. ¶ I believe in the purifying process of sorrow, and I believe that death is a manifestation of life. I believe the Universe is planned for good ❦

THE PHILOSOPHY
OF
ELBERT HUBBARD