“Selig, wer sich vor der Welt
Ohne Hass verschliesst,
Einen Freund am Busen halt
Und mit dem geniesst.”
For others, though it is different. For one thing, the reader might care to reflect that if an attempt resulted in the synthesis of a structure of thought, which at least is coherent and original, what results would the successful interpenetration of two minds be likely to bring about; probably something dramatically different and far more all-embracing. A few, with spirit, might think it worth the risks involved. I would not presume to offer them any advice. They must just take their courage in both hands, and set out into the unknown. On the other hand many people nowadays, I suspect because they have never faced the prospect of being annihilated, despise the notion that good manners make character; and that someone should actually choose sacrifice is beyond their comprehension. My only comment is that if someone does, it is a bonus.
I am aware of the theory that earth is just a factory for producing souls, who live happily ever after in heaven. And I might be asked whether I deny that the souls of the faithful live on. My answer is that I am not concerned with what happens hereafter; the faithful simply have to trust in God, they do not know; agnostics and atheists simply do not know. We are all in the same boat. The Church's task and mankind's task is to build the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, so far as is practicable; that means solving the problem of how to live. So, is the way to live just enlightened self-interest, or is it sacrifice? It depends whether you believe in immortality. For myself I find it impossible to believe that immortality can dawn in this world, and then be snuffed out. Either it doesn't dawn, or it lasts. I am tempted to say it did dawn once, and it has not been snuffed out.