Specialization

This [specialization] is the huge modern heresy of altering the human soul to fit its conditions, instead of altering human conditions to fit the human soul. If [soap factories] are really inconsistent with brotherhood, so much the worst for manufacturing soap, not for brotherhood. If civilization really cannot get on without democracy, so much the worse for civilization, not for democracy. Certainly, it would be far better to go back to village communes, if they really are communes. Certainly it would be better to do without soap rather than to do without society. Certainly, we would sacrifice all our wires, wheels, systems, specialties, physical science and frenzied finance for one half-hour of happiness such as has often come to us with comrades in a common tavern. I do not say the sacrifice will be necessary; I only say it will be easy.

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