uxury. Still, society as a whole has some voice in directing the
judgment of individuals. Public opinion is an effective check upon
desires. The good will of the multitude is more important to the mass of
men than any particular gratification. It is proper, therefore, to discuss
at any time and at all times the limits of luxury, both for ourselves and
for our neighbors. The sole cure for imprudent expenditure in luxuries is
individual culture of mind and heart and conscience, so that each may do
his best to secure, not only the good will of his neighbors, but their
welfare.

_Wasteful consumption._--Wasteful expenditure through ignorance or
recklessness is more common and more weakening than luxury. Its limits
cannot be described, since it covers expenditures of every kind, from the
simplest provision for food and clothing to the most elaborate structures
and wildest schemes of development. Though noticeable wastes are seen in
the households of the rich, they are relatively larger among the poor.

Yet any attempt to regulate such waste by law is futile, chiefly from the
fact that it ignores the personal responsibility and wants which make
individual character. It is properly applied to the imbecile and the
insane, as well as to children and youth, through the appointment of a
prudent guardian. Society can protect itself only by fostering more
complete systems of education in the arts of life. The tendency of our
times toward a more technical education, especially in reference to the
home and the common industries of life, marks the growth of public opinion
toward a clearer ideal of prudence against waste. The study of economic
principles in every department of life, and especially the clear
understanding of everyday facts as to the things men handle and use,
cannot but give wisdom for preventing waste.

_Vicious consumption._--It is customary to distinguish from all other forms
of imprudent consumption of wealth such vicious indulgence of appetites as
not only consumes accumulated wealth but diminishes power in production.
Such vicious indulgence is the result of cultivating unnatural and
destructive appetites. Familiar illustrations are those connected with the
drink habit, the opium habit, or any other vice whose chief effect is seen
upon the individual life of the one indulging himself. These involve the
very highest wastefulness, because they destroy not only wealth, but
ability. Nobody can begin to compute in term