The home is the center of social and national character and from that
source issues the habits, principles and maxims that govern public as
well as private life. Examples of conduct even in apparently trivial
matters are of great importance, inasmuch as they are to become
interwoven with the lives of others and contribute to the formation of
the character for better or for worse.
We have first certain implanted principles of involuntary action. They
are the appetites which are tendencies toward things for bodily life and
continuance; the desires which are tendencies toward things necessary
for mental life and development, and the affections which are tendencies
toward social life and welfare.
The appetites are cravings produced by recurring wants and needs
necessary to the body and are seven in number: hunger, thirst, sex,
sleep, rest, exercise and air—all of which are necessary for our animal
existence. The appetites play a strong part even in our social and moral
life, and they may be lifted up to a higher plane of moral action or
they may be drawn down to a mere brute impulse. Every gift of the body
and soul can be moralized for good.