Elbert Green Hubbard (June 19, 1856 – May 7, 1915) was an American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher. Raised in Hudson, Illinois, he had early success as a traveling salesman for the Larkin Soap Company. Wikipedia

The race has gained ground, made headway upon the whole; and thanks to the thinkers gone, there are thinkers now in every community who weigh, sift, try and decide.   We no longer accept the doctrine that our natures are rooted in infamy, and that the desires of the flesh are cunning traps set by Satan, with God’s permission, to undo us.  We believe that no one can harm us but ourselves, that sin is misdirected energy, that there is no devil but fear, and that the universe is planned for good.  On every side we find beauty and excellence held in the balance of things.  We know that work is needful, that winter is as necessary as summer, that night is as useful as day, that death is a manifestation of life, and just as good.

We have listened to Coleridge, and others, who said:  “You should use your reason and separate the good from the bad, the false from the true, the useless from the useful.  Be yourself and think for yourself; and while your conclusions may not be infallible they will be nearer right than the opinions forced upon you by those who have a personal interest in keeping you in ignorance.  You grow through the exercise of your faculties, and if you do not reason now you never will advance.  We are all sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be.  Claim your heritage!”

–“Little Journeys to the Homes of English Authors” by Elbert Hubbard (1910)