They study books in order that they may better understand what others have thought concerning the mystery of existence; they discipline their minds in order that they may the better serve their fellow-men; they seek fineness of manner and beauty of expression to the end that their utterance of truth may be more persuasive and convincing.  Culture and the discipline of life are identical.  Consequently, the wise man chooses to put himself where he will best be taught by the events through which he passes, by what he sees, and by what he may learn from others.  It matters little who have been the teachers, or what have been the schools,—­the real teacher is always life, and the real university is the human experience.

I do not make light of the benefit which may be derived from books and institutions of learning, but I do insist on the recognition of the deeper fact that the lessons which no one can afford to neglect are those which can be taught only by overcoming obstacles.  We can learn how to live only in the school of life.  The most vital books are always those which tell us what others have done, and of the paths by which they have been led to power.  What shall the soul do for itself in order that it may promote its own growth?  It must first recognize where the sources of knowledge and strength are to be found, and then put itself where it will feel the touch of the vitality which can come only from other souls.  Quickly enough every man reaches the time in which he may determine his own environment.  When we are young others choose our circumstances for us, but when we become older we select them for ourselves.  That means much.  No monarch is mighty enough to compel me to associate with those who will hinder my progress.  He only is a slave whose mind and will are in bondage.  My body may be with boors but, at the same time, my spirit may be holding companionship with seers and sages.  I may be compelled to work in a mine like John the Apostle, but I, too, like him may hear One speaking whose voice is as the sound of many waters, and whose eyes are like a flame of fire.  Our real associates are ever our spiritual companions; and no one can force another to hold fellowship with those who are either intellectually or spiritually uncongenial.

And we also select our own subjects of thought.  Who can govern the thinking of another?  At the very moment when one, who is stronger, is rejoicing in what seems his supremacy, our thoughts may be ranging through the spaces, and finding companionships among the stars.  And we choose our own examples.  In youth they were put before us according to the will of others, but later our heroes come to us at our bidding, and no one can shut the gates against them.  Whom shall we admire?  Let them be men of the spirit, who have sought truth and hated lies, “who have fought their doubts and gathered strength,” who would rather suffer wrong than do wrong.  The perfection of being is the end of effort, therefore we will read what will best help our growth in vision, in moral earnestness, in spiritual sensibility; therefore our books shall treat of subjects which will ennoble; our amusements shall be pure and clean; and our chief companionships shall be with the prophets and masters, the noble and the good, because by associating with them we shall become like them.