The critical problem of Japan is, in a word, to continue to keep its life simple, as it takes its place with the other great political powers of the world. Simplicity of life is a state of mind quite as much as a condition of environ ment. But it is concerned with environment as well as with the mental state. The simple life is the interpretation of life in terms of the spirit, and not of the flesh or of the purse. It stands for the negation of the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. It knows not pride, and it does know humility, quietness, gentle ness. It is free from and absolutely above all desire to make display. It represents direct ness, honesty, decorum. It incarnates the cardi nal graces quite as well as the cardinal virtues, — and even these virtues it does not neglect.
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