Men's Duties

Men's proper business in the world falls mainly into three divisions:— First, To know themselves and the existing state of the things they have to do with. Secondly, To be happy in themselves and the existing state of things. Thirdly, To mend themselves and the existing state of things, as far as either are marred or mendable. These, I say, are the three plain divisions of proper human business on this earth. For these three, the following are usually substituted and adopted by human creatures. First, To be totally ignorant of themselves and the existing state of things. Secondly, To be miserable in themselves and the existing state of things. Thirdly, To let themselves and the existing state of things alone (at least in the way of correction).—John Ruskin