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Wells, H. G. (Herbert George), 1866-1946

"First and Last Things"

Men and women have lived in and
by them. Men and women still do. Only they are not true for me to live
in them. I have, I believe, to live in a new edifice of my own
discovery. They do not work for me.
These schemes are true, and also these schemes are false! in the sense
that new things, new phrasings, have to replace them.

2.15.
Such are the essential beliefs by which I express myself. But now comes
the practical outcome of these things, and that is to discuss and show
how upon this metaphysical basis and these beliefs, and in obedience to
the ruling motive that arises with them, I frame principles of conduct.

BOOK THE THIRD.
OF GENERAL CONDUCT.

3.1. CONDUCT FOLLOWS FROM BELIEF.
I hold that the broad direction of conduct follows necessarily from
belief. The believer does not require rewards and punishments to direct
him to the right. Motive and idea are not so separable. To believe truly
is to want to do right. To get salvation is to be unified by a
comprehending idea of a purpose and by a ruling motive.
The believer wants to do right, he naturally and necessarily seeks to do
right.


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