ABSTRACT
The natural inequality of men, which explains so much to the sociologist, is nowhere more strikingly manifested than in the ascendency which certain persons are able to gain over their fellows without reliance on the ordinary means of procuring obedience. Of mental qualities strength of will is, of course, requisite; but faith in one's self and imagination are the real architects of vast personal authority. Outside the heroes of religion, the pure charm of personality is rarely seen in history, so much is it blended with the boundless admiration extorted by distinction and achievement. As the social environment becomes rich and varied we can distinguish a development of man's feelings, judgments, and choices, which may be termed the evolution of personality. Denied power over the body it must wield all the more skilfully those great instruments of "spiritual" ascendency—religion, ideals, and personality.
