Chapter XVI · ELEMENT OF WILL IN FORMATION OF CHARACTER. CHARACTER COMMONLY HOW ACCOUNTED FOR.

FORMATION OF CHARACTER.

In accounting for the existence and formation of peculiarities of character, individual, social, and national, two elements only are commonly taken into consideration, the natural propensities, and the circumstances and influences under which those propensities are developed and controlled. The doctrine of Necessity permits us to take nothing else into the account. Undoubtedly, these elements have very great efficacy in determining character. In many instances, little else need to be taken into consideration, in accounting for peculiarities of character, as they exist around us, in individuals, communities, and nations.