Observations

Northern Advocate, 13 May 1939, Page 1 (Supplement)

Observations

JN the privacy of his own thoughts, a man experiences many complexes. Though he is working towards a predetermined goal,' or is embarking on an ambitious scheme, there comes to him moments when he questions the wisdom of his intentions and envies those of less ambitious motive. F he is a man of leisure to whom energetic enterprise is foreign, there still comes to him moments when activity and the expression of pent-up energy are searched for. Whatever a man’s manner of living may be, he possesses tendencies to have it otherwise. QhiE complex dominates a man’s mind. All other thoughts submit to the superior demands of a particular complex, although at times they seek a position of authority in his mental structure. The complexity of quiet thought becomes the simplicity of one mental objective when the man moves out among fellow men. When he does so he finds that these other

by “The Man on the Look-Out”

men also have their complex natures, from which have arisen one superior outlook. If his ruling complex is of similar nature to that of the men he meets, he makes friends of such men; if contrary, then he makes enemies of them. JN his friendships, however, he finds as he has found within himself, that varied complexes tend to conflict with his dominant nature. As he has experienced mental conflict Avith himself, so does he now experience it with other men. He cannot express difference of opinion regarding himself to himself when in company; his disagreement is expressed in open conflict of words! and from this open conflict of words; and from this open conflict of cal force. N OT the most perfect household is devoid of its moments of disagreement; even the finest friends experience instances of discord; there are few relationships between men that are altogether harmonious. Time discovers flaws in the comeliest nature. As a man finds flaws in his own nature

and discovers conflict of his own views and complexes, so also does he find them existing between himself and other men. As he finds them in the intimacy of his family circle, he finds them doubly so in the casual friendship of acquaintance.

jpROM this beginning of individual discord has developed the wider sphere of national discord. What man, being unable to find perfect harmony in his own family group or in his own most cherished and valued friendships, or within the fold of fellow men, ostensibly ruled by identical complexes, can expect- nations of men similarly constructed as himself to be in perfect harmony?

JpROM this deduction follows the conclusion that prevention of international dispute becomes a fundamental impossibility while the individual who is a unit of those nations remains unable to harmonise his own mind with his own circumstances or to find perfection of friendship among men he has known a lifetime. It remains therefore for peace-seekers first to analyse the degree of peace that is possible within an individual.