Madam, – History tells us that major problems of the day are often solved by drawing on action taken or counsel given by renowned predecessors and not necessarily on related issues. It was while pondering recently over our dire situation that I recalled reading a little piece written by world-renowned genius scientist and humanist extraordinaire, Albert Einstein, which had to do with his thoughts on life.
I dug it out and was heartened and enthralled with the re-reading. It was titled “The world as I saw it” and comprised no more than a few hundred words. Obviously written towards the end of Einstein’s illustrious career, he pointed to the things in life which he considered ideals for mankind to cherish and savour. Here are a few extracts: “One knows from daily life that one exists for other people – first of all for those upon whose smiles and well-being our own happiness is wholly dependent and then for the many, unknown to us, to whose destinies we are bound by the ties of sympathy. A hundred times a day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labours of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.
“The ideals that have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty and Truth . . . The trite objects of human efforts – possessions, outward success and luxury – have always seemed to me contemptible”.
Might I suggest that this piece be drawn to the attention of all those entrusted with responsibility for the well-being of all our citizens (not forgetting those holding positions of high office across the spectrum of other business activities in our community). The way back to good business behaviour and moral rectitude can only benefit from the way Einstein saw the world and life within it.
At our peril, we ignore his thoughts on life. – Yours, etc,