The philosophy of Elbert Hubbard

Chapter 2: THE RADIANT LIFE

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About This Book

A collection of short essays and aphorisms outlining a practical, optimistic creed focused on personal responsibility, honest work, and self-improvement. It elevates science and economics as bases for thought, critiques organized religion and superstition, and champions freedom, health, reciprocity, and moral integrity. Many pieces urge a simple, radiant life that accepts sorrow and death as parts of existence while advocating civic concerns such as suffrage, public health, and education. The writing blends personal credo, pragmatic counsel, and epigrammatic observation intended to guide individual conduct and communal relations.

THE RADIANT LIFE

Elbert Hubbard

¶ I wish to be simple, honest, natural, frank, clean in mind and clean in body, unaffected—ready to say “I do not know,” if so it be—to meet all men on an absolute equality—to face any obstacle and meet every difficulty unafraid and unabashed ❦ I wish to live without hate, whim, jealousy, envy or fear. I wish others to live their lives, too—up to their highest, fullest and best. To that end I pray that I may never meddle, dictate, interfere, give advice that is not wanted, nor assist when my services are not needed. If I can help people, I will do it by giving them a chance to help themselves; and if I can uplift or inspire, let it be by example, inference and suggestion, rather than by injunction and dictation. I desire to Radiate Life ❦ ❦ ❦