Машина времени
Chapter 4
‘Butwiththischangeinconditioncomesinevitablyadaptationstothechange. What,unlessbiologicalscienceisamassoferrors,isthecauseofhumanintelligenceandvigour? Hardshipandfreedom: conditionsunderwhichtheactive,strong,andsubtlesurviveandtheweakergotothewall; conditionsthatputapremiumupontheloyalallianceofcapablemen,uponself-restraint,patience,anddecision. Andtheinstitutionofthefamily,andtheemotionsthatarisetherein,thefiercejealousy,thetendernessforoffspring,parentalself-devotion,allfoundtheirjustificationandsupportintheimminentdangersoftheyoung. Now,wherearetheseimminentdangers? Thereisasentimentarising,anditwillgrow,againstconnubialjealousy,againstfiercematernity,againstpassionofallsorts; unnecessarythingsnow,andthingsthatmakeusuncomfortable,savagesurvivals,discordsinarefinedandpleasantlife.
‘Ithoughtofthephysicalslightnessofthepeople,theirlackofintelligence,andthosebigabundantruins,anditstrengthenedmybeliefinaperfectconquestofNature. ForafterthebattlecomesQuiet. Humanityhadbeenstrong,energetic,andintelligent,andhadusedallitsabundantvitalitytoaltertheconditionsunderwhichitlived. Andnowcamethereactionofthealteredconditions.
‘Underthenewconditionsofperfectcomfortandsecurity,thatrestlessenergy,thatwithusisstrength,wouldbecomeweakness. Eveninourowntimecertaintendenciesanddesires,oncenecessarytosurvival,areaconstantsourceoffailure. Physicalcourageandtheloveofbattle,forinstance,arenogreathelp—mayevenbehindrances—toacivilizedman. Andinastateofphysicalbalanceandsecurity,power,intellectualaswellasphysical,wouldbeoutofplace.
