Yet, as I have shown, no man rises above bad environment unless he is helped by good environment.
Those who dread the power of environment cannot have given much thought to the subject.
Instead of being a menace to the human race, the power of environment is the source of our brightest hope.
Environment has shaped evolution, and has raised man above the beasts. Environment has created morality and conscience.
Environment, feared as a power for evil, is also a power for good. If bad teaching, and evil surroundings make bad men; then good teaching, and good surroundings will make good men.
If bad food, bad air, ignorance, and vice, degrade mankind; then good food, good air, knowledge, and temperance will uplift mankind.
If men and women are largely that which environment makes them, then, by improving the environment we can improve men and women.
And here I come into touch with a certain school of dismal scientists who would have us believe that it is useless to improve environment, because men are what heredity makes them, and because we cannot control heredity.
Let us dispose of these pessimists before we go any farther. Happily, the cases in which heredity is stronger than environment are few.
Environment cannot make a model citizen of the "born criminal," or atavist. But good environment will make the worst man better than he would be under bad environment.