APRIL 7th
The full value of this life can only be got by fighting; the violent take it by storm. And if we have accepted everything we have missed something—war. This life of ours is a very enjoyable fight, but a very miserable truce.
'Charles Dickens.'
APRIL 8th
The old religionists tortured men physically for a moral truth. The new realists torture men morally for a physical truth.
'Tremendous Trifles.'
APRIL 9th
'I sincerely maintain that Nature-worship is more morally dangerous than the most vulgar Man-worship of the cities; since it can easily be perverted into the worship of an impersonal mystery, carelessness, or cruelty. Thoreau would have been a jollier fellow if he had devoted himself to a green-grocer instead of to greens.'