But to make freedom an end in itself is to pass to the other extreme and incur new bondages of a peculiarly strenuous sort. Freedom is attained by pursuing a purpose that is ennobling. If I love my associates I need not guard every action for fear that I am not granting them liberty to be themselves. The way to receive freedom from others is to be free in spirit. It is more important to grant freedom than to seek it. Really to grant it is no small accomplishment, requiring a large-minded attitude. If I steadily grant it to my fellows they in turn will accord liberty to me. Freedom is not strictly speaking an end in itself but is one of the fruits of the efficient life.

The free man preserves a certain independence not only of what people say but of what they are likely to think. On occasion he is impelled to break from tradition and become a pioneer, well aware that his action will be condemned and that he will be misjudged. Convinced that his initiative is right, he is willing to cast in his fortunes with righteousness, and take whatever consequences may come. Again, his courage is seen in readiness to be inconsistent, if need be, whatever flaws may be found in his statements. For his loyalty is to truth, not to verbal consistency.

The free man need not, however, make radical departures from custom, cultivate peculiar ways and odd habits of dress, to prove his independence.