John is a drunkard from heredity and environment
Thomas was a drunkard from heredity, and was saved by environment.
William was always steady from heredity and environment.
Stephen was steady from heredity, almost became a drunkard from environment, and was finally saved by new environment.
John owed his ruin to his grandfather and his shopmates.
Thomas owed his safety to his shopmates, who rescued him from the taint of his grandfather's evil legacy.
William owed his safety to his blood.
Stephen, after being endangered by his companions, was saved by his wife.
Assuming all other conditions to be equal, and all other traits of character similar, how are we to blame one or praise another of these four brothers? Each is what descent and surroundings have made him.
An apple tree cannot bear bananas. A rose tree cannot bear lilies. A rose tree in good soil bears well; a rose tree in bad soil bears poorly. In times of drought the crops perish for lack of water. In rainy weather the hay rots instead of drying.