Chapter I: Preface

A wheel may have many spokes, but can have but one hub. So I may say of this volume of mine that there are many themes and chapter-headings, but there is but one central thought into which they all converge, and that is that the universe is good, and that it is our rare good fortune to form a part of it. As this collection of essays does not aim to be a systematic treatise on any one theme, but rather a series of sallies, excursions, into the world of semi-philosophical speculation, there is inevitably much repetition; there may even be some contradiction. But I have concluded to let them stand, as I find myself an interested spectator of the workings of my own mind when, in following different roads, it arrives at the same truth. As all roads lead to Rome, so in the realm in which my mind works in this volume, all roads lead to the conclusion that this is the best possible world, and these people in it are the best possible people.

The heart of Nature is sound. I feel toward the great Mother somewhat as a man does who takes out a policy in an insurance company: he believes the company is solvent and will meet its obligations. I look upon the universe as solvent and worthy of trust. In other words this is a book of radical optimism. It might be described as an attempt to justify the ways of God to man on natural grounds.

My reader need hardly be told that theological grounds do not count with me. I want nothing less than a faith founded upon a rock, faith in the constitution of things. The various man-made creeds are fictitious, like the constellations--Orion, Cassiopeia’s Chair, the Big Dipper; the only thing real in them is the stars, and the only thing real in the creeds is the soul’s aspiration toward the Infinite. This abides, though creeds and dogmas change or vanish.

Empedocles says:

“O, wretched he whose care
Is shadowy speculation on the gods.”

But is not speculation better than indifference? Curiosity about the gods may lead to a better acquaintance with them. I feel that each of these chapters might be called an altar to the Unknown God.

JOHN BURROUGHS

CONTENTS

I. SHALL WE ACCEPT THE UNIVERSE? 3

II. MANIFOLD NATURE 19

III. EACH FOR ITS OWN SAKE 30

IV. THE UNIVERSAL BENEFICENCE 54

V. THE GOOD DEVILS 73

VI. THE NATURAL PROVIDENCE 90

VII. THE FAITH OF A NATURALIST 112

VIII. A FALLACY MADE IN GERMANY 134

IX. THE PRICE OF DEVELOPMENT 138

X. TOOTH AND CLAW 158

XI. MEN AND TREES 173

XII. THE PROBLEM OF EVIL 193

XIII. HORIZON LINES:

I. THE ORIGIN OF LIFE 203

II. THE LIVING AND NON-LIVING WORLDS 205

III. THE ORGANIZING TENDENCY 207

IV. SCIENCE AND MYSTICISM 211

V. IS THERE DESIGN IN NATURE? 219

VI. OUR IMPARTIAL MOTHER 225

VII. BAFFLING TRUTHS 226

VIII. SENSE CONTRADICTIONS 230

IX. MAN A PART OF NATURE 233

X. THE FITTEST TO SURVIVE 237

XI. THE POWER OF CHOICE 238

XII. ILLUSIONS 239

XIII. IS NATURE SUICIDAL? 242

XIV. THE PERSISTENCE OF ENERGY 245

XIV. SOUNDINGS:

I. THE GREAT MYSTERY 253

II. THE NATURAL ORDER 257

III. LOGIC AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS 261

IV. A CHIP FROM THE OLD BLOCK 265

V. A PERSONAL GOD 266

VI. THE ETERNAL 270

VII. AN IMPARTIAL DEITY 275

VIII. FINITE AND INFINITE 278

IX. THE INSOLUBLE 280

X. PAYING THE DEBT 282

XI. DEATH 288

XII. HEAVEN AND EARTH 293

XIII. THINKING AND ACTING 296

XIV. THE TIDE OF LIFE 304

XV. FAITH FOUNDED UPON A ROCK 309