essed in truthful
delicacy. Not only are all the people in the world training their
hands, but they are, as we have already said, training them in
countless different ways.

Have you ever stopped to think of another matter: that all things
about us, except the things that live, have been made by hands? And of
the things that live very many are cared for by the hands. These
thoughts will suggest something to us. Those things which are good and
beautiful suggest noble use of the hands; while those which are of no
service, harmful and destructive, show an ignoble use. But noble and
ignoble use of the hands is only another evidence of thought. Thought
that is pure in the heart guides the hands to beautiful ends. And if
the heart is impure in its thoughts, of course you know what follows.

I have always been impressed in reading the books of John Ruskin to
note how many times he speaks about the hands. Very truly, indeed,
does he recognize that back of all hand work there is heart-thought,
commanding, directing, actually building. It shows everywhere. The
building of a wall with the stones rightly placed demands _honor_. The
builder may be rude, but if his hands place the stones faithfully one
upon another, there is surely honor in his heart. If it were not so
his hands could not work faithfully.

If the work is finer, like that work in gold which many have learned
eagerly in former times, in Rome and Florence, still the spirit must
be the same. So we see, that be the work coarse or fine, it is in
either case prompted by the same kind of heart-thought.

Many times in these Talks I have spoken of Ruskin's words to you; for
two reasons: first, his words are always full of meaning, because he
was so full of thought when he wrote them; and second, I would have
you, from the first days, know something of him and elect him to your
friendship. Many times he will speak to you in short, rude words,
impatiently too, but never mind that, his heart is warm and full of
good.

Now from what was said a moment ago about the stone work and the gold
work we can understand these words:

"No distinction exists between artist and artisan, except that of
higher genius or better conduct."

Learn from this then, be the work of our hands what it may, its first
quality and the first things for which it shall be judged are its
honor, its faithfulness, and its sincerity.

Of themselves the hands are absolutely without power. They cannot
move