Insensibility to Other’s Needs

The material world, just as it is, is very awkward at expressing the truth behind things. That is obvious. I believe we don’t need to reflect very deeply to perceive that, unless there are people… Yes, in “The Four Austerities” I speak of those who are perfectly adjusted in life and find everything wonderful, but I haven’t yet met many of these who can believe it all their life. I am speaking of optimists — one is optimistic so long as one is healthy and very young, and then, as soon as one begins to be less strong and less healthy, optimism vanishes. But still, if one has a little sense and sensibility, it is easy to see that everything is not for the best in the best possible world, for if you yourself are comfortable and have all you need, if you are getting on well and have no cares, that does not mean that there are not millions of beings in altogether painful and sad situations. Then, it may be very easy to think only of oneself. But it is not something very advisable. I knew people who were very rich and had never had the chance to come into contact with those who had nothing or hadn’t enough, and for them it was something unthinkable. I knew a lady (I knew many) who lived in a very fine apartment with many servants and all possible comfort — she had always lived thus and had never known any but easy circumstances — and one day I spoke to her about someone, a person of great worth and merit but who had nothing, hadn’t enough to eat — and I asked her to help that person, not with money for he would not have accepted it, but with some work or by inviting him to pass some time with her (for he had a philosophical mind and could have helped her intellectually). So I told her: “You know, he doesn’t always eat his fill.” I saw that she did not understand. I said, “Well, yes, he does not always have enough money to buy food — buy bread and the food he needs.” — “But surely there is always bread and food in the kitchen!” (Laughter) She said that so spontaneously!

17 February 1954