Along with our natural instincts as animals, we have the ability to choose whether we will submit to our animal urges or follow the true path of the soul. This is once again an example of the difference between man and animal. The soul exists universally among men and is the basis of deriving the basic laws of government. Emerson writes, "Justice we see and know, Love, Freedom, Power. These natures no man ever got above, but they tower over us, and most in the moment when our interests tempt us to wound them." Through the soul, the importance of the ideals of justice, love, freedom, and power, are seen. The general laws in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, concerning the justice and freedom of men, all carry hints of moral, or nearly religious attributes. All of our U.S. mint is inscribed with the phrase "In God We Trust." There are many similar laws in other free countries that carry nearly the same intent and purpose as our laws of freedom and justice. The hints of morally and spiritually derived laws of the United States are justifiable, due to the amiable and pious characters of its drafters. These men were unquestionably of good moral values, seeing truth in the idea that all men deserved freedom and justice. Their desire to oppose that which forcibly limited their freedom was greatly influenced by the soul. They embodied these truths into the laws and rights formulated in our government.
The idea of the soul is evident in, and greatly influences religion and faith. Emerson writes, " there is no screen or ceiling between our heads and the infinite heavens, so there is no bar or wall in the soul where man, the effect, ceases, and God, the cause, begins." Emerson believed that God was forever influencing, but not forcing, man to do what is right. Constantly mentioning "God" in his writings, Emerson's beliefs were greatly influenced by religion. The ability to see what is true is always present; one must only look hard enough to see the truth.
