'Blessed are the merciful--blessed are the pure in heart--blessed are the peacemakers.' It is all strikingly unpractical, Dyce, my boy; you can't, again in to-day's sweet language, 'run' the world on those principles.

They are utterly incompatible with business; and business is life." "But they are not at all incompatible with the civilisation I have in view," Dyce exclaimed.
"I am glad to hear it; very glad.

You don't, however, see your way to that civilisation by teaching such axioms." "Unfortunately not." "No.

You have to teach 'Blessed are the civic-minded, for they shall profit by their civism.' It has to be profit, Dyce, profit, profit.
Live thus, and you'll get a good deal out of life; live otherwise, and you _may_ get more, but with an unpleasant chance of getting a good deal less." "But isn't it unfortunately true that Christianity spoke also of rewards ?" "Yes, it is true.

The promise was sometimes adapted to the poorer understanding.