e it, and are
unable without it to see so clearly and distinctly as before.

The peril of wealth lies in the fact that it may ruin not only the
possessor, but the non-possessor. Language has not completely covered
the whole case, when it calls this dissatisfaction and unrest of soul,
envy, grudging, churlishness; it is not this at all, it is rather the
severe torment of the unanswered question, Why art thou not as rich?
No, this thou dost not desire; but why art thou not, at least, placed
out of the reach of anxious care? The struggles of human life are hard
enough, why must thou have, in addition, this wrestling with sordid
want?

The most cruel suffering which the perception of riches inflicts upon
the non-possessor is, that it produces in him an unwillingness to work,
a supineness, a consciousness of servitude, and yet worse, that it
makes all effort appear questionable. What avails all thy contriving,
thy aspiration, all thy superstructure of great thoughts, so long as
there are human beings near thee, inhabiting with thee the same earth,
and perishing with starvation!

The ant in the pathway is better taken care of, for there are no ants
who are glutted, while others near by are hungry. What is all labor,
so long as this monster still stalks in the midst of us! Has that
world-wisdom, has that religious doctrine, the victorious power of
truth, if it cannot annihilate this monster?

Eric shut his eyes, and dreamed in broad daylight that disturbed dream
of our age, which attends the clatter of the locomotive. The locomotive
rushed along with rapid piston-beat, making a strange accompaniment to
the meditation of the silent passenger. He had his eyes closed, and yet
he now perceived that they were passing through a tunnel. And as such a
plunge into the darkness of earth suddenly interrupts all conversation,
so does it break off the thread of silent thought.

When they emerged into the light again, the current of Eric's thoughts
became changed. A smile came over his countenance, which looked as if
he were asleep, as the thought occurred to him that a rich vein was
opened for a treatise upon the theoretical and practical treatment of
poverty, philosophically, religiously, politically, and morally, in
ancient times. The bitterness of the feeling of poverty was thereby
lessened and removed, for poverty itself came into the realm of
science. And his meditation proceeded farther; for to the historical
view of poverty th