超验主义（Transcendentalism），其核心观点是主张人能超越感觉和理性而直接认识真理，强调直觉的重要性，认为人类世界的一切都是宇宙的一个缩影。“相信你自己”这句爱默生的名言，一度成为超验主义者的座右铭。在上一篇Nature里面，爱默生给我们综述了他关于自然和超验主义哲学的主要观点，接下来的几个章节他将从不同层面论述自然和人类的精神。
Whoever considers the final cause of the world, will discern a multitude of uses that result. They all admit of being thrown into one of the following classes; Commodity; Beauty; Language; and Discipline.
Under the general name of Commodity, I rank all those advantages which our senses owe to nature. This, of course, is a benefit which is temporary and mediate, not ultimate, like its service to the soul. Yet although low, it is perfect in its kind, and is the only use of nature which all men apprehend. The misery of man appears like childish petulance, when we explore the steady and prodigal provision that has been made for his support and delight on this green ball which floats him through the heavens. What angels invented these splendid ornaments, these rich conveniences, this ocean of air above, this ocean of water beneath, this firmament of earth between? this zodiac of lights, this tent of dropping clouds, this striped coat of climates, this fourfold year? Beasts, fire, water, stones, and corn serve him. The field is at once his floor, his work-yard, his play-ground, his garden, and his bed.More servants wait on man than he'll take notice of.
▍生词好句
admit of: 允许某种可能性的发生
temporary: adj. 暂时的，临时的
mediate: adj. 居间的；居间的
ultimate: adj. 最终的；极限的
petulance: n. 任性；易怒
prodigal: adj. 丰富的
ornament: n. 装饰品
zodiac: n. 黄道带；星带
fourfold: adj. 四季的；四重的
