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THE MEMOIRS OF A CAT
so undefinable. Yet, it has become a fashionable slogan with the Congressman. He no doubt feels morally clevated when he takes the vow of truth. But he never inquires about the nature of the goddess he swears allegiance to. What is truth? I challenge any devotce of the goddess to answer this simple question.
When I am hungry, it is unquestionably true that I am hungry; nature testifies to it. I sec a bowl of milk, and lap it up without taking the trouble of asking the permission of the owner. Besides, there is very litile chance of the permission being granted even if solicited. So, here is another truth ; most human beings, with all their claim to moral superiority, are not inclined to sacrifice in favour of a hungry animal, unless this is uscful to them. Now, how would you characterise my act of lapping up the bowl of milk without the owner's permission ? It is stealing--an evidence of moral depravity ascribed to my species. But do you ever stop to think that this act of moral depravity is committed in a situation brought about by the combination of two truths ?
In order to wiggle out of this uncomfortable fix, you have invented other moral dogmasanother set of meaningless words. You preach selfcontrol and sacrifice. I must learn to control my carnal desires, so that I might resist the temptation of stcaling even when hungry. But the real motive behind this moral doctrine is not to cure me of my
