I know full well that growth and progress only happen if we are willing to stretch ourselves, striving toward a desired objective. Yet how we are getting there matters, too. I believe that this is the question we each must consider as we face and embrace this new millennium - if we are to regain any of the 'wisdom' we have lost in our 'knowledge'. The lot of man is ceaseless labor, Or ceaseless idleness, which is still harder, Or irregular labour, which is not pleasant. I have trodden the winepress alone, and I know That it is hard to be really useful, resigning The things that men count for happiness, seeking The good deeds that lead to obscurity, accepting With equal face those that bring ignominy, The applause of all or the love of none.
All men are ready to invest their money But most expect dividends.
So, you see, if we are to move 'towards' the wise and just society, then we must take seriously not only our goal but the ways in which we are aiming to get there. The modern world needs to heed Eliot's warning. As difficult and at times unrealistic as it may seem, we need to learn to pay as much attention to the seeds that we are sowing for our own and future generations as we do to the 'harvest' of reward we hope or expect to receive. The perpetual struggle of Good and Evil. Like it or not the fabric of our society, like all others, is an intermingling of good and bad.