The Ability to Persevere

"Die Fähigkeit, zu bestehen", Der Bund, Volume 97, Number 174, 13 April 1946, p. 7,8.

Google translate:

The Ability to Persevere

One usually embarks on a long journey well prepared and appropriately equipped. How much more so on an unknown path where one hardly knows the direction or has to first seek out the paths or perhaps even blaze them oneself! What about the spiritual equipment for the journey into life? In addition to the material prerequisites for a "happy journey," one primarily needs spiritual ones. In the struggle of life, the power of the mind—both good and bad—is more often decisive than physical strength. Therefore, it is important to consider before embarking on life: what am I taking with me on this journey? One strives to acquire as much knowledge as possible for vocational training—which is of utmost importance, because without a thorough prior education, no profession can be successful. But the failures that affect so many young people during their professional careers and also in their personal lives reveal the gaps in their education, not so much in their "technical education" as in their worldview. What false concepts they allow themselves to be guided by, both about their fellow human beings and about themselves! — Therefore, some experiences will be shared here that may be of use to some.

I

The life of every human being takes place in community with other human beings. A person is born into a family, raised and educated within it. He becomes its member. As an adult, he pursues a profession in community or society with others. He belongs to a particular people, with whose destiny he is bound for life; he becomes a comrade of the people. He is not an isolated being, but always a part of a whole. Thus, he becomes an ape-man of others. He must never forget: he is human to the extent that he is capable of being a fellow human being. This gives rise to the necessity of shaping his own destiny with consideration for his fellow human beings.

II

The close coexistence of humans is determined by the limitations of the qualities and abilities that each individual has been endowed with by nature. None of us enjoys the possession of all gifts; each has been endowed with them to a moderate, sometimes even incomplete degree. (One—the artist—has a talent for creative design, another for technical construction, a third, socially minded, capable of developing social relationships, etc.) As a result of this limitation, we are constantly dependent on one another, and our needs can only be met with the help of others. Humans cannot meet their needs as self-sufficient beings; only union makes them strong. To secure their existence, they require the support of others. It is said that what humans are, they owe to the union of one human being with another. This results in a relationship of reciprocity in which one is dependent on exchange: I take from another what I lack, and the other takes from me what they lack.

III

The interdependence of people means that people must get to know each other. "Who are you? What can you become to me? Friend or foe?" And other people have the same interest in me, in what I can do, in what I can offer them. Thus, I not only have an interest in getting to know others, but this also gives rise to an obligation for me to reveal myself to them. However, getting to know each other can only be fruitful if we do not want to deceive each other.

IV

Human coexistence can only be prosperous through peaceful means. And it can only prosper peacefully if everyone follows certain principles in their interactions with others. The first principle is to grant everyone else the same rights that one claims for oneself. (Judge others' mistakes with the same leniency as one's own.) Generally, others only want the same things as oneself: a secure existence, recognition, love. Therefore, it is important to grant others their place in the sun. This relationship of reciprocity compels us to behave in a certain way toward others, especially to maintain "civilized" manners.

V

Nowhere are etiquettes more important than with those closest to one's heart, the members of one's own family. Good manners begin at home. There are people who behave rudely in their homes (toward their wife, children, sisters, parents) and believe they only have to observe "social etiquette" with strangers. They are at a low level of personal culture. One can only attain truly refined etiquette when one has cultivated it among those closest to one's heart.

VI

We should therefore do everything that binds people together and unites them. Joint work binds, and assistance provided binds. If someone approaches us with a request, we should try to fulfill it if possible. For such a request may be a sign of someone else's need that we should alleviate, and at the same time, an appeal to our social conscience.

VII

Do nothing that can alienate us from our fellow human beings! Failure to acknowledge the merits and goodwill of others, lack of consideration and willingness to help in times of need, arouse bitterness, if not even feelings of revenge, in others. Harsh words can have the same effect as bad deeds.

VIII

If a disagreement has arisen between us and others that could lead to a separation, we should ask ourselves what contributed to it? Are there differences in the appreciation of intellectual goods? Is it envy of the other person's success? Did our impulsiveness cause it? Were we unjust? Is it simply a confluence of unfavorable circumstances? Did we perhaps behave inappropriately? Did we correctly assess the other person's motives? And do we ourselves perhaps tend to think too highly of ourselves and too low of others? In all disputes, we should first seek the blame, or part of it, within ourselves. In this way, we arrive at a just judgment of ourselves and others.

IX

It is absolutely necessary to be able to hear the truth about yourself, otherwise you force others to lie to you. Anyone who cannot bear the truth about themselves has no right to tell others the truth about them.

X

The more independent a person is in their thoughts, actions, and behavior, the more spiritually mature they are. Independent thinking means not uncritically accepting the judgments of others, but rather forming one's own opinion about everything. Being able to compare and reflect, and being able to appreciate the consequences of one's own actions and omissions, as well as those of others.

XI

Take full responsibility for all your actions. This means standing by what you have said and done and accepting the consequences, no matter how embarrassing. You must be able to bear the costs of your own carelessness or lack of education. You must also always keep in mind that you must take responsibility for every task, no matter how seemingly insignificant. This means a commitment to performing it to the best of your ability and, if necessary, making amends for what you have done poorly.

XII

For everything in the world, one must pay in one way or another; be it with work and effort, or with a certain behavior. Nothing is given to you for free, nothing is given for nothing. This should remind us of caution in all our actions. But: Don't be afraid of life! — True courage in life lies in the willingness to face danger and defy it, seeking ways to avert or overcome it. Fleeing from the difficulties that confront us impoverishes us spiritually. Struggle enriches us and increases our strength, as long as it doesn't exceed our strength. Even failure should not deter us or dampen our spirits. Every failure can become a path to success if we only evaluate it correctly, i.e., recognize our mistakes in it. Experience is a costly school, but it is a school nonetheless!

XIII

Set high goals. Seek not only to acquire material goods that secure physical existence, but also to attain a higher moral standard. The prosperity of human society depends primarily on the positive character traits of each individual. Ultimately, a person's true worth is determined solely by character. Humans generally possess many weaknesses and faults, to which they can easily succumb if they do not monitor themselves and do not strive to overcome them. Hence the need for character development. This is the most difficult task for human beings. Practicing honesty, decency, and justice is much more difficult than acquiring technical skills. And it is precisely this ambition that we should possess to a high degree: to be full of character.

Dr. Franziska Baumgarten