Howstrangeisthelotofus mortals!Each ofus is here for a bricfsojourn;for what purposo he knowsnotthough hesometimesthinks he senses it.But without deeper reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people-first of all for those upon whose smiles and
well-being ourown happiness is wholly dependent,and then for the many,unknown to us,to whose destinies wearebound bythe ties of sympathy.A hundred times every day I remind myselfthatmyinner and outerlife are based on the labors of other men,living and dead,and thatImustexertmyselfinorderto give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.Iamstronglydrawn to a frugal life and am often oppressively aware that Iam engrossing an undue amount ofthe labor of my fellowmen.I regard class distinctions as unjustifiedand,inthe lastresort,based on force.I also believe that a simple and unassuming life is good for everybody,physically and mentally.
I do not atall believe in human freedom in the philosophical sense.Everybody acts not onlyunder externalcompulsion but alsoin accordance with inner necessity.Schopenhauer's saying"Aman can do what he wants,but not want what he wants,"has been a very real
inspirationtomesincemyyouth:ithas been a continual consolation in the face of life's hardshipsmyownandothers'and anunfailing wellspring of tolerance.This realization mercifully mitigates the easilyparalyzing sense ofresponsibility and prevents us from taking
ourselvesand otherpeopleallooseriously;itis conducive to a view oflife which,in particular gives humor its due.
Toinquire afterthemeaning or object ofone's own existence or that of all creatures has always seemedto me absurdfrom an objective point of view.And yet everybody has certain idealswhich determinethe direction ofhis endeavors and his judgments.In this sense I have neverlooked upon case and happiness as ends in themselves-this ethical basis I call the idea ofapigsty.The ideals which have lighted my way,and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully,have been Kindness,Beauty,and Truth.
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