er leads to many exercises and
efforts that have no ulterior result. The mathematician will turn aside
from his course of study to master a problem, which involves no new
principle, but is merely difficult and perplexing. The reading of books
obscurely written, or in languages that task the utmost power of analysis,
frequently has no other result, and probably no other object, than the
trial of strength. What can be attained only by strenuous mental labor, is
for that very reason sought, even if it promise no utility.

In the affairs of practical life, every man desires to make his influence
felt. With persons of the highest character, the love of power is manifest
in connection with the aim to be useful. Even the most modest men, while
they may spurn flattery, are gladdened by knowing that they are acting
upon the wills and shaping the characters of those around them.

The love of property belongs in great part under this head. Money is
power, preeminently so at the present day. Property confers influence, and
puts at one's command resources that may be the means of extended and
growing power alike over inanimate nature and the wills of men. Avarice,
or the desire of money for its own sake, is not an original desire. Few or
none are avaricious in very early life. But money, first sought for the
power it confers, from being a means becomes an end, to such a degree
that, in order to possess it, the miser will forego the very uses for
which he at the outset learned to value it.

*5. The Desire of Superiority.* This is so nearly universal in all
conditions of society, and at all periods of life, that it must be
regarded as an original element of human nature. Without it there would be
little progress. In every department of life, men stimulate one another
toward a higher standard of endeavor, attainment, or excellence. What each
does, his neighbor would fain outdo; what each becomes, his neighbor would
fain surpass. It is only by perversion that this desire tends to evil. It
finds its proper satisfaction, not in crushing, depressing, or injuring a
rival, but barely in overtaking and excelling him; and the higher his
point of attainment, the greater is the complacency experienced in
reaching and transcending it. On the race-ground, I do not want to compete
with a slow runner, nor will it afford me the slightest satisfaction to
win the race by tripping up my competitor; what I want is to match myself
with the best runner on