But to compass in permanent form its aspirations in this direction, as in many others, nature is incompetent.

The terrible if wonderful success of Sparta is what can be attained, and tells at what cost.

The economy of the bee-hive, which kills or drives away its superfluous members, and the polity of Sparta, which put the cripples and the aged to death, are essential to permanent success in the venture of communism in the natural order.

"Sweetness and light" are enjoyed by the few only at the sacrifice of the unwholesome and burdensome members of the hive.
Brook Farm, however, was not conceived in any spirit of cruelty or of contempt of the weaker members of humanity; the very contrary was the case.

Sin and feebleness were capable, thought its founders, of elimination by the force of natural virtue.