The Three Gifts of Life; A Girl's Responsibility for Race Progress (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV THE GIFT OF CHOICE CHOICE is such a wonderful gift, and can be made of such great value to the human being if used in the best and wisest way, that it is important for everyone to be taught its use so that he may progress and get the most out of life. Choice concerns every part of life, but I am going to speak only of those choices that are in some way concerned with the reproductive instinct; for in both animal and human life the reproductive instinct is, in some respects, the most important instinct there is. The other instincts affect the individual, while the reproductive instinct concerns not only the individual, but also future generations. In animal life, this instinct has become so perfect that it may truly be called the race instinct, because it makes animals do those things that are for the well-being of their species; even to sacrificing their own lives, if necessary, in order that their young may live. But in human beings, instinct cannot be depended upon as a guide, because there is a gift that is better; and one that, if used rightly, will enable them to progress much farther than is possible in animal life. In human beings too, the reproductive instinct can be made into a race instinct by means of the gift choice, to the benefit both of the individual and of the race as a whole. Choice always involves two things, knowledge or understanding, and determination or will. First then you must know about the reproductive instinct; what it is, how the uncontrolled instinct brings ruin to human beings, and how the same instinct when controlled by the gift choice can be made into the greatest blessing; then you must know how to use your will so as to make the reproductive instinct a real race instinct; one that will make for progress and w...