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Maeterlinck, Maurice – Wisdom and Destiny – On happiness
Identifier
013865
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
WISDOM AND DESTINY - MAURICE MAETERLINCK translated by ALFRED SUTRO
Humanity up to this day has been like an invalid tossing and turning on his couch in search of repose; but therefore none the less have words of true consolation come only from those who spoke as though man were freed from all pain.
For, as man was created for health, so was mankind created for happiness; and to speak of its misery only, though that misery be everywhere and seem everlasting, is only to say words that fall lightly and soon are forgotten.
Why not speak as though mankind were always on the eve of great certitude, of great joy?
Thither, in truth, is man led by his instinct, though he never may live to behold the long-wished-for to-morrow.
It is well to believe that there needs but a little more thought, a little more courage, more love, more devotion to life, a little more eagerness, one day to fling open wide the portals of joy and of truth. And this thing may still come to pass.
Let us hope that one day all mankind will be happy and wise; and though this day never should dawn, to have hoped for it cannot be wrong.