Anche questo passerà. (This too shall pass.)

I was walking the streets of Manhattan yesterday admiring the remarkable product of man’s ingenuity, productivity and never-ending creative drive. New York City, the product of the latest empire to serve as world hegemon, is a technical, architectural social, economic and cultural marvel and I daresay that there are few places as interesting and delightful on a lovely spring day.

One of my stops was the incredible children’s toy store, FAO Schwartz, which sits at the southeastern edge of Central Park. After combing the isles for suitable presents for my four and six year old sons I came across an ant farm, the perfect gift for my youngest. I remember staring for ages at an ant farm a friend of mine had when I was young, watching the ants assemble, maintain and govern their city, with a drive and determination that is worthy of note.

In an 1859 address Abraham Lincoln told a short story about a proverb that has come to the aid of many men and women through history. He said:

It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: “And this, too, shall pass away.” How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!

The physical world and its related field of circumstance, whether perceived as good or bad, operates according to this proverb. Given time, all things change. The creative impulse is eternal, but the creative field which takes shape around the impulse is forever changing, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. How it takes shape is largely the product of the choices made by human beings.

Take comfort in this. Keep your head high and your spirits up in times of tragedy. Don’t get carried away when times are good.

Anche questo passerà.