Understand this too, do what you will, you can only procure
momentary relief, and every relief procured means an increase of
population. Whatever your methods of labor are, however the fruits
of it are distributed, you will never produce up to the satisfaction
of your wants; and the sweat of your brow will always be in vain if
you set yourself against the hostile forces of nature."
Wilhelm paused a moment in the deep stillness which now reigned in
the hall, and then went on:
"I do not deny that your lives are troublesome and hard, but I
believe that you make your pain unnecessarily difficult to bear, and
add to it by imagination. You feel your lot to be hard because you
see rich people, who in the distance appear to you to be happy. I
have already told you that the rich are an exception, and that the
world cannot guarantee the existence of a millionaire of to-day for
long. At most you can make the few rich men poor, but you cannot
make all the poor men rich. But why compare yourselves with such
people? Why not with those who have gone before us? Look back, and
you will find that your lives are not only easier but very much
richer than the generations who have gone before you. The poorest
among you live better, quieter, and pleasanter lives than a well-to-
do man a thousand years ago, or than a prince of primitive times.
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