“This is the true joy in life:
The being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake.
Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”
Hmm. He’s not pulling any punches, is he?
So: Is the sum of your life to be that of a splendid torch burning brightly as it’s handed on or more like a candle that, once lit, glowed briefly and sputtered before being extinguished for ever?
Deep and meaningful stuff – we’ll go into light-hearted mode next week!
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