of which lie so ready to our hands.

But, if I must say, furthermore, any words that seem like words of
practical advice, I think my task is hard, and I fear I shall offend
some of you whatever I say; for this is indeed an affair of
morality, rather than of what people call art.

However, I cannot forget that, in my mind, it is not possible to
dissociate art from morality, politics, and religion. Truth in
these great matters of principle is of one, and it is only in formal
treatises that it can be split up diversely. I must also ask you to
remember how I have already said, that though my mouth alone speaks,
it speaks, however feebly and disjointedly, the thoughts of many men
better than myself. And further, though when things are tending to
the best, we shall still, as aforesaid, need our best men to lead us
quite right; yet even now surely, when it is far from that, the
least of us can do some yeoman's service to the cause, and live and
die not without honour.

So I will say that I believe there are two virtues much needed in
modern life, if it is ever to become sweet; and I am quite sure that
they are absolutely necessary in the sowing the seed of an ART WHICH
IS TO BE MADE BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE, AS A HAPPINESS TO
THE MAKER AND THE USER. These virtues are honesty, and simplicity
of life. To make my meaning clearer I will name the opposing vice
of the second of these--luxury to wit. Also I mean by honesty, the
careful and eager giving his due to every man, the determination not
to gain by any man's loss, which in my experience is not a common
virtue.