CHAPTER 31

COMPARATIVE TREATMENT THE WORLD ACCORDS TO THEM, AND SUMMARY

The world pays no heed to the efforts and struggles of such men, often neglects to reward their good achievements, yet it never fails to avail itself of their benefits.

The Monetary reward meted out by the world to even the most successful inventors is insignificant, compared to the benefits bestowed upon it by the beneficiary of its gratitude.

The world is full of monuments and statues to them who have or have tried to benefit it by destruction and slaughter, and by the making of widows and orphans, but one would have to use "Diogenes' Candle," to find the monuments to them who have benefited the world, by giving it untold wealth and happiness, without sorrow or suffering, except to themselves, through scientific and mechanical research and invention.

The feeling of having benefited our fellows, of having helped to improve the world for others, as others have done for us, the sweet consciousness of having given the world "What was best in us," is the true and only adequate reward to him who has given his best efforts to lighten human burdens and increase their happiness.

Transcriber's note: Minor spelling inconsistencies, mainly hyphenated words, have been harmonized. Obvious typos have been corrected. An "Illustrations" section has been added as an aid for the reader.

End of Project Gutenberg's Inventors & Inventions, by Henry Robinson