Chapter I: Front Matter

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A Man's Value to Society

By NEWELL DWIGHT HILLIS

_Eighth Edition_
GREAT BOOKS AS LIFE-TEACHERS
STUDIES OF CHARACTER, REAL AND IDEAL
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_Nineteenth Edition_
THE INVESTMENT OF INFLUENCE
A STUDY OF SOCIAL SYMPATHY AND SERVICE
12mo, vellum, gilt top, $1.25

_Eighteenth Edition_
A MAN'S VALUE TO SOCIETY
STUDIES IN SELF-CULTURE AND CHARACTER
12mo, vellum, gilt-top, $1.25

_Tenth Edition_
FORETOKENS OF IMMORTALITY
STUDIES FOR "THE HOUR WHEN THE IMMORTAL HOPE
BURNS LOW IN THE HEART"
Long 16mo, 50 cents; art binding, gilt top,
boxed, 75 cents

_Eighth Edition_
HOW THE INNER LIGHT FAILED
A STUDY OF THE ATROPHY OF THE SPIRITUAL SENSE
Quiet Hour Series, 18mo, cloth, 25 cents

BOOKLETS

RIGHT LIVING AS A FINE ART
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THE MASTER OF THE SCIENCE OF RIGHT LIVING
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ACROSS THE CONTINENT OF THE YEARS
16mo, 25 cents, net.

A Man's Value to Society

Studies in Self-Culture and Character

Newell Dwight Hillis Author of "The Investment of Influence," "Foretokens of Immortality," etc.

"_Spread wide thy mantle while the gods rain gold._"
--FROM THE PERSIAN.

TWENTY-FIFTH EDITION

Chicago New York Toronto Fleming H. Revell Company MCMII

Copyright, 1896, by Fleming H. Revell Company

Copyright, 1897, by Fleming H. Revell Company

_TO MY WIFE_

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE

I The Elements of Worth in the Individual 9

II Character: Its Materials and External Teachers 33

III Aspirations and Ideals 55

IV The Physical Basis of Character 77

V The Mind and the Duty of Right Thinking 99

VI The Moral Uses of Memory 123

VII The Imagination as the Architect of Manhood 143

VIII The Enthusiasm of Friendship 165

IX Conscience and Character 189

X Visions that Disturb Contentment 213

XI The Uses of Books and Reading 235

XII The Science of Living with Men 259

XIII The Revelators of Character 281

XIV Making the Most of One's Self 301

THE ELEMENTS OF WORTH IN THE INDIVIDUAL

"There is nothing that makes men rich and strong but that
which they carry inside of them. Wealth is of the heart,
not of the hand."--_John Milton._

"Until we know why the rose is sweet or the dew drop
pure, or the rainbow beautiful, we cannot know why the
poet is the best benefactor of society. The soldier
fights for his native land, but the poet touches that
land with the charm that makes it worth fighting for and
fires the warrior's heart with energy invincible. The
statesman enlarges and orders liberty in the state, but
the poet fosters the core of liberty in the heart of the
citizen. The inventor multiplies the facilities of life,
but the poet makes life better worth living."--_George
Wm. Curtis._

"Not all men are of equal value. Not many Platos: only
one, to whom a thousand lesser minds look up and learn to
think. Not many Dantes: one, and a thousand poets tune
their harps to his and repeat his notes. Not many
Raphaels: one, and no second. But a thousand lesser
artists looking up to him are lifted to his level. Not
many royal hearts--great magazines of kindness. Happy the
town blessed with a few great minds and a few great
hearts. One such citizen will civilize an entire
community."--_H._