“The
man who does good service to the state is not only he who brings forward
candidates for public office, defends accused persons, and gives his vote on
questions of peace and war, but he who encourages young men in well-doing, who
supplies the present dearth of good teachers by instilling into their minds the
principles of virtue, who seizes and holds back those who are rushing wildly in
pursuit of riches and luxury, and, if he does nothing else, at least checks
their course—such a man does service to the public though in a private
station.”
However engrossed we are in the
world, whether in the middle of the fray or looking on from the edges, our
nature calls us to always work for the good of the whole. We may assume that
only the person who does grand and imposing things will do his duty, but this
need not be the case. Each contribution, however humble or unassuming, plays
its part, and each part is necessary.
For something to be important does
not mean that it must be the biggest, or the most visible, or the most admired
element. If I look at the workings of an old mechanical clock, every little
screw, gear, and spring on the inside is as essential to the workings as the
beautiful face on the outside.
Many people will assume they have to
be like the hands that everyone can see, or the chimes that everyone can hear,
but this confuses the merit of worth with the mere appearance of glory.
Remember, for want of a nail the
kingdom was lost. It makes no difference if the part is large or small, public
or private, recognized or ignored; what matters is that it adds something of
itself to the harmony.
When I feel discouraged about what I
can do, or disappointed in the value of my efforts, as I am sure Serenus must
have felt, I can turn to this truth. It will become more than just a platitude
for me if I recognize the fundamental order of Nature itself, and if I can
think beyond my own impressions to the purpose of the whole.
There isn’t even a “me” beyond that
unity, and there is ultimately no unity without me. That perspective in my
judgment will shape everything else about the motivation in my practice.
Yes, a few people will be involved
in epic political decisions, or argue monumental cases in the courts of law, or
fight as heroes in noble wars. They will play their parts. Some other people,
all the rest of us, will help a friend stand up during a hardship, commit to
wisdom in the midst of ignorance, or keep ours heads on straight when others
are consumed by passion. They will also play their parts.
“But I’m not getting anywhere! I’m
treading water! It’s not making any difference!” Are you sure you aren’t just
looking for the results in all the wrong places? At the very least, your efforts are improving
your own character, and that is a worthy achievement indeed.
Now think also of all the people who
have been essential to helping you improve your life in the tiniest of ways,
and how they were probably never even aware of that fact. You can have that
very same effect on others, just by sticking to what you know is right and
good, and not worrying about anything else. That is your part, and it is just
as important as any other part.
Are the big folks with their big
deeds any happier or better than the little folks with their little deeds? The
grass is always greener on the other side, because the rich man will struggle
with his doubts just as much as the poor man. To even think of “big” and
“little” in this way is terribly misleading. Considered from the proper human
measure of virtue and vice alone, every person is significant, for good or for
ill, regardless of all the accessories and trappings.
Written in 6/2011
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