330 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
giving of loose rein to appetite and passion thwarts success in undertakings and sacrifices real welfare to monetary gratifica- tion. It is realized that there can be no progress toward max- imum individual happiness, save as desires are thinned out by weeding, and arranged into a kind of a system of majors and minors. This integrating of life into large harmonious wholes by the aid of an inhibitive power which weeds, prunes, and reg- ulates the inclinations to this purpose, constitutes the sway of reason in the sphere of conduct. It is the chief desideratum of all systems of private morality.
The growth of self-control and integrity furnishes as such no guarantee to society, for the ends so systematically pursued may remain wholly selfish. The domination of purpose over impulse is nearly as striking in great knaves apd criminals as in heroes, in a Borgia or a Cagliostro as in a Livingstone. Yet it is not from benevolence merely, but from a keen regard for its own welfare that society through its official teachings encourages the rule of prudence and set purpose in the lives of its members.
In the first place the slaves of appetite and impulse are of little social efficiency, while men of self-mastery and fortitude, even though self-seeking, avail for the building of the common- wealth. Again, reflection and self-control are presupposed in the systems of sanction legal and supernatural that society attaches to conduct. Until foresight and inhibitive power have been gained it is useless, even cruel, to inflict punishment for acts springing from anti-social impulses. It is idle to supply the unreasoning with artificial reasons for right doing. Finally, the sway of reason in the choices of life makes possible the control of men by enlightenment. The more the foaming torrent of desires is brought to a smooth, even flow, the more readily it can be canalized by moralists.
The only light men can receive in respect to conduct is light on its consequences. It has been widely held that light can be thrown on the nature of actions, and much time has been spent in investigating the Tightness or wrongness of acts and acquaint- ing people with the conclusions. But this is futile. There is no
