THE PERSONAL EQUATION IN SHAW
ONE word more. Bernard Shaw, the prophet and the puritan, lives in
his work. But the passion which gives him uniformity and purpose
as a public figure has not impaired his personal humor, his
tolerance for all that is sweet and commendable, his broadness of
view and eagerly inquisitive outlook upon life, his candor and
honesty of mind, his generous welcome of new ideas, his love of
beautiful things, his ability to appreciate and sympathize even
with those forces which are banded to destroy him. These are the
qualities which have obscured from contemporaries the essential
simplicity of his mind, and have warmly endeared him to the younger
generation of authors and critics who have learned from their
master how profitably they may supersede him. This younger
generation, though it very frequently turns the weapons of Bernard
Shaw against himself, will never forget or neglect the debt it owes
to the helpful, patient, and wise counselor it has been privileged
to observe and know.
