Heredity and Self-Conceit1

Whenever brought to task for misdemeanors, a certain cowardly boy invariably cried out: “Don't yer blame it on to me, I tell yer! Don't yer blame it on to me!” His sham defiance was tell-tale. His words represent fairly well the suspicious haste of mankind in general to part company even with peccadillos. A voice within urges the offender to shift the burden somewhere else, upon anything convenient. “Behold, there is the scapegoat of heredity; let us send our sins into the wilderness of oblivion.” Today, however, psychoanalysis bids fair to put an end to this diversion, and many others. Among them is one of which it may not come amiss to speak now. It is another form of self-defence in which one's ancestors can play an equally accommodating role. We refer to the use of heredity as a protective cover for self-conceit. There is a chance that the subject will repay elaboration; therefore, we will examine into the folly of a characteristic over-conscientious man of what we hope is a bygone period.

The prevailing frame of mind of such a man is similar to that of the earnest Christian when singing: “Oh, to be nothing, nothing ! “This popular mode of self-effacement was at one time highly commended, because it was supposed to indicate the limit of humility. The Christian might do wonderful things—work veritable miracles—but he must give God the glory and disclaim all the honor himself. Oh, to be nothing! Christ all, self nothing. Obviously one could not be less than nothing.

As an offset to this attitude, an alternative suggested itself. Heredity came to be regarded as of increasing importance. Many people feigned to believe heredity all, self nothing. Accordingly, in the midst of many abuses from which heredity suffered, there arose one frequent use, which on the surface appeared worthy of approval. To be explicit: it often happened that if a man suddenly felt in danger of becoming too puffed up, he would forthwith divest himself of everything in his favor by ascribing his