Full text : An address to the Swindon Branch of the Workers' Educational Assn. 28 Oct. 1916

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middle section. Every man is born with a
* desire of Beauty ’ or of ¢ Good ’ in some degree
and in some kind, and he instinctively feeds that
desire or liking on what is agreeable to it. He
selects. Consider any object presented to the
senses, how various and almost infinite its
qualities are, and how impossible it is for any
man, even the most trained observer, to perceive
them all. Each will first perceive those qualities
that are most nearly related to him and that
appeal to his liking. And in this way he feeds
his own strength, and develops his native faculty.
And this unconsciously growing self gradually
comes to observe itself, becomes conscious, and
takes Reason for its guide.
The purpose of education is to draw out or
educate this inborn love of Beauty. And if any
of you doubt whether there is such a thing, I do
not think that it matters what you call it, if you
admit (what you cannot deny) that you have
a desire, and that that desire is for something
‘better’ or ‘good’. That desire—whatever
you may call it—the Greeks called the Desire
of Beauty or the Desire of Good ; and you will
            
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