systemoftheuniverse,althoughwemaynotbeabletounderstandthis
by our restricted thinking.
* * *Itmaybeobjectedthatallindividualsmayhavethesamecharacterist-
ics,talentsandabilities,butthatbecauseoftheneedsofsocietytheyare
forced to divide theirlabour amongthemselves. The answer to thisis
thatifthiswerethecase, thosewho seekaneasy lifewouldchoosethe
easieroccupation,andthedifficultandlaboriousoccupationsandmeni-
altaskswouldbeleftwithnoonetodothem;fornoonewouldbeready
to do them, since they all think the same way.
Thespiritofmanmustpassthroughvariousstatesinordertoobtain
moralperfection. Gradually,calmly andwithout haste, through facing
difficultiesandcomforts, tastingthe bitter andthesweet, hisspiritbe-
comes more perfect.
Itistheseupsanddownsthatteachemantoacquirepleasure;some-
timesheisthe kingofthe castle,andsometimes heisthrowninto the
dungeons.Happyistheonewhouseswhateversituationhefindshim-
selfintoperfecthissoul.Ifheiswell-off,hecanfollowthewayofper-
fectionbyhelpingthepoorandtheorphans,thusacquiringagreat,hu-
manitarianspirit, althoughhecouldbe using hisrichesfor easyliving
and luxury without putting them to any spiritual use.
Similarly, if he is poor, instead of encroaching upon other people's
property and rights, he can be contented with his lot, be patient and
cultivateself-respect,thusrollingawaythestoneoflife'sdifficultieswith
the hand of activity and patience. Thus all the vicissitudes of life are
waystoperfection,andwemustfollowthisway,whetherthepassageis
narrow or wide.
Ourmeaningisnotthatweshouldwilluponourselvesdifficultiesand
sufferings.Itisclearthatthiswouldbeverydifficultbecausewewould
notbeusingthenaturalabilitiesthatGodhasbestoweduponus.What
wemeanisthat,ifwetryourbest,butdonotreachourobjectiveorfall
fromprosperitytohardship,weshouldnotconsiderourselvestobeun-
fortunate.Rather,weshouldregardthevicissitudes,easeanddifficulty,
asnewfieldsforthebuildingof oursoulsandtheuseof ourmindsin