Dangerous Vitality

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 4, 6 January 1939, Page 3

Dangerous Vitality

regards Nazi vitality, to some people most attractive in its reckless aggressiveness, we still will say that vitality in itself is undoubtedly preferable to sickliness, but at the ssme time the question of whose vitality it is and what purpose it serves canrot be evaded. To resort to a somewhat grim simile: the cells of a cancerous turner reveal a perfectly amazing vitality, only we do not happen to like that kind of vitality. We are bent on stepping that growth in spite of its magnificent elan, and we support the emaciated and failing organism with its commonplace inexpensive cells. Naturally this Choice— apart from other reasons—is

not independent of the fact that the carcinomatous tissue is precipitating the end of all life and organic form around it, even its own. The revival of spiritual barbarism in the same way, embodies a threat to material civilisation, and life gone mad, though it may afford a splendid pageant for a time, is bound for death. Aurel Kolnai in “The War Against the West” (Viking Press).