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There is no 'schoolmaster abroad' who will tell them of their

faults, or inspire them with the higher sense of duty, or with

the ambition of a true success in life; no Socrates who will

convict them of ignorance; no Christ, or follower of Christ, who

will reprove them of sin. Hence they have a difficulty in

receiving the first element of improvement, which is

self-knowledge. The hopes of youth no longer stir them; they

rather wish to rest than to pursue high objects. A few only who

have come across great men and women, or eminent teachers of

religion and morality, have received a second life from them, and

have lighted a candle from the fire of their genius.