On page 282 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the Christian Science text book, Mrs. Eddy, speaking of "figures of being," says, "The circle represents the infinite without beginning or end; the straight line represents the finite, which has both beginning and end." Because it is a symbol of infinitude, the circle represents the sum total of progress. Without constricting anything, it includes all in itself. Like other realities, however, the circle of infinitude has its counterfeit, which is in this case the "vicious circle" in which the mortal or carnal mind is prone to travel. Instead of representing progress, this latter so-called circle represents the lie about progress, that being the age-old belief that progress can ever find itself back at the starting point. The counterfeit circle is absolute zero, standing for the whole delusion of failure as reality. It is a diagram of the way of futile striving, as explored by the Persian cynic who so frankly confessed its utter futility in these words:—
I in my youth did eagerly frequent
Doctor and Saint, and heard great argument
About it and about, and evermore
Came out by the same Door wherein I went.
All this summing up of the situation in regard to the human mind is really useless, unless it be for the purpose of correcting the error. The only reason for thinking of any human vagary is to guard against its appearance. Now it would seem, at times, as though this particular be lief of the "vicious circle," ancient as it is, is still prevalent. Traveling in circles is still believed to be an in evitable experience of the wayfarer who strays ever so slightly from the right path. Moreover, it is an experience not always limited to individuals; for it is common to groups of people, organizations, even nations. The whole world, in fact, seems a prey to this belief in its various forms. There is, for example, the economic orbit: necessity, followed by renewed efforts at production, more efficient construction, invention, prosperity; then inflated values, dissension, struggle, panic, and so on back to "hard times" once more. Joseph's dream of the seven fat years, followed by the seven lean, finds a strange echo in the modern economist's expectation of "a panic every seven years." There is, again, the political circle of oppression, resistance rebellion, successful revolution, changed conditions, gratifying improvement; and then, with success, overconfidence or lassitude or corruption, resulting in oppression once more. Thus it is that mankind has come to expect, and therefore to experience, wars and rumors of wars at intervals more or less regular.
