All For One and One For All

All For One and One For All

1989 3 March 14 All For One and One For All (396) Every individual must, in the shaping of his own life, keep the larger interests of society in view, just as society must, in its general development, work towards the betterment of individuals. Thus the objectives and functioning of both society and individuals should be strictly in consonance with each other.

In such matters, excellent coordination is essential if harmony is to prevail. If we wish to have an example on which to model ourselves to the best advantage, we do not have very far to look for it. We have it there before our very eyes in the shape of the universe, for God has set us an example of harmonious living on the most colossal of scales. We need only observe how all of the innumerable forces in nature function with unerring precision and complete predictability to understand what is meant by perfectly coordinated interaction. As Emerson has so aptly put it, ‘‘Nature works on a method of all for each and each for all.” This sums up the divine scheme of the universe, the workings of which make a permanent appeal to mankind to maintain an equilibrium of interests, whether at the individual or at the societal level. If man were to heed this universal message, he would surely never stray from the straight and narrow path which leads him so felicitously to finding favour in the eyes of God; he would never do anything of a damaging nature to the structure of society, for it is from society itself that man derives his physical sustenance.

In this respect, he is just like the tree in relation to the universe. The tree needs sunlight, warmth, moisture, air, soil and gravity if it is to survive, let alone grow and develop into a monarch of the forest. All of these requirements are met by elements which are already permanent features of the universe. And our world, in turn, benefits from the things the tree has to offer us-fruit, flowers, timber, oxygen, conservation of soil and moisture, shade, and so on. There is a chain of reciprocity, which, if it were broken would be disastrous for both man and his environment. Similarly, man and society must have a constant interchange of the benefits each has to offer. Without this, society would descend into chaos; and the very survival of the individual would be in grave jeopardy.