SIXTEENTH MEETING
Social Relations
I. The Avoidance of Bitter Partisanship:
a. Take sides, not with persons, but with causes.
b. Use all. Be for all, and against none.
II. Social Sympathy:
a. Humanity as a vast Self:
1. Democracy means we have all the right to be equal:
α. Faith and reverence for self in all.
β. Service is larger self-service.
γ. Each does his part; hand and head.
2. To keep well, to be satisfied, we must care for the sick and miserable:
α. Starvation.
β. Old age.
γ. Contagion.
b. To care for the weak strengthens the strong:
1. To destroy the weak is dangerous loss. (Rome and Sparta.)
c. In passing judgment on crimes, hate not persons but their acts:
1. Each acts according to his desire or needs.
2. Punishment as preventive and cure.
III. Truth in Personal Relations:
a. Truth-telling not the whole of Truth:
1. Malicious truth-telling is not truth.
2. Worth of kind, true criticism and praise.
b. Our judgments of people judge us:
1. Our limited understanding.
2. Say: “I am one who hates, or loves,” etc.
c. Whom shall we please, and how?
1. The morality of good manners.
2. Vanity, the pretended worth; and true worth or loveableness.
3. “Prettiness” in manner, pleasing those who cannot understand us.
4. Social frivolity, overdress and luxury, and its result of friendship.
α. Show is for those we do not love. (Resembles “costly material” in art.)
[IV. Women and Work:
a. The true preparation for marriage.
b. Social life and service.
c. Knowledge as mere show; or as power.]