Humans are liable to experience a variety of afflictions,
but they are commonly endowed with a capacity for happiness and respectability.
There is no guarantee, however, that they will exercise this capacity at all
times and to the maximum, whatever happens. Depression and shame remain a
possibility, which increases with the severity of their afflictions and the
difficulty of living up to the values that are necessary for their happiness
and respectability: courage, efficiency, wisdom, and nobility.
Living up to these values is never easy, even under
extremely favourable circumstances. It requires an effort of will. To make or
not to make this effort is the question, central to the human existence. This
question is difficult in proportion to the weight of suffering that bears on
humans, while their dignity hangs in the balance. The more burdensome this
weight, the more tempting it is for them to take the easy way out. The fear of
losing their dignity, however, is a strong deterrent. There is no greater loss
than that of dignity, save the loss of life itself. Yet, the easy way out is a
very powerful temptation in extremely unfavourable circumstances. Giving up
instead of living up to the values mentioned above is then deplorable but
understandable. Excruciating circumstances are extenuating ones.
Amazingly enough, despite the burden of suffering that is
oppressive to many, the incidence of moral collapse – in the form of errant
ways like carelessness, vagrancy, and crime, often accompanied by alcohol or
drug abuse to fuddle the conscience – is small in comparison with the incidence
of worthy behaviour. Furthermore, a moral collapse is remediable, except when
the person concerned shows an inveterate or congenital weakness, or a mental
illness that is beyond cure. On the whole, dignity can be lost and regained.
As for those who resist quitting the struggle for
worthiness, they rarely do their best. In many instances their spirit is
tainted with some degree of indulgence in laziness, cowardliness,
ineffectiveness, foolishness, selfishness, and meanness. It has the greyness of
dawn. Even those who shine like a late morning sun have a shadow of
imperfection at their heels. In short, humanity has yet to fulfil its
potential. While there is much courage, efficiency, wisdom, and nobility in the
world, much happiness and respectability, there could be a whole lot more. The
key to this rise is an effort of will.
Comments