And then
you are a Man.
153. "What!" a wayward youth might perhaps answer, incredulously, "no
one ever gets wiser by doing wrong? Shall I not know the world best by
trying the wrong of it, and repenting? Have I not, even as it is,
learned much by many of my errors?" Indeed, the effort by which
partially you recovered yourself was precious; that part of your thought
by which you discerned the error was precious. What wisdom and strength
you kept, and rightly used, are rewarded; and in the pain and the
repentance, and in the acquaintance with the aspects of folly and sin,
you have learned something; how much less than you would have learned in
right paths can never be told, but that it is less is certain. Your
liberty of choice has simply destroyed for you so much life and strength
never regainable. It is true, you now know the habits of swine, and the
taste of husks; do you think your father could not have taught you to
know better habits and pleasanter tastes, if you had stayed in his house;
and that the knowledge you have lost would not have been more, as well as
sweeter, than that you have gained? But "it so forms my individuality
to be free!" Your individuality was given you by God, and in your race,
and if you have any to speak of, you will want no liberty.
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