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 very apt to "lose heart," become pessimistic and cynical, and decide to rest content with doing the minimum of work and securing mediocre results. It is then that a courageous optimism is necessary. For such an optimism means a refusal to acknowledge defeat, it involves a conviction that human nature is infinitely capable of improvement, and it is inspired by faith and hope that, if loyal service be rendered, failure will not always be its meed.

For further reading: C. F. D'Arcy: Short Study of Ethics, xii. and xiii.; Helen Bosanquet: The Family, x. and xiii.; J. Dewey: The School and Society, i. and ii.; J. H. Muirhead: The Service of the State, i.-iii.; J. R. Seeley: Ecce Homo, iii., vii., ix., xi., xiv., xvi.; Sir Henry Jones: Idealism as a Practical Creed, vi. and vii.; Graham Wallas: The Great Society, xi.-xiii.