“It is our suffering that brings us together. It is not love. Love does not obey the mind, and turns to hate when forced. The bond that binds us is beyond choice. We are brothers. We are brothers in what we share. In pain, which each of us must suffer alone, in hunger, in poverty, in hope, we know our brotherhood. We know it, because we have had to learn it. We know that there is no help for us but from one another, that no hand will save us if we do not reach out our hand. And the hand that you reach out is empty, as mine is. You have nothing. You possess nothing. You own nothing. You are free. All you have is what you are, and what you give.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin, The Dispossessed
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11 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.That sounds too much like the naked truth! And it is sure easier to grasp when not in the throws of discord or grief!
Freedompath
Level 9
Feb 26, 2019
1
Only not every human is compassionate or less selfish to actually be like this.
Piece2YourPuzzle
Level 8
Feb 25, 2019
1
This is an excerpt from a book, so the context is missing, but the statements were made in the indicative mood, rather than imperative. It is saying that this is the state of things as it is, not this is the state of things that should be. That is, the author might be suggesting that our belief that we own something is a false belief, and that there is no other "help" that is coming for us, other than each other, and that we do not help others (that is, ourselves) with material things, but only with each other. The author is saying that is the case, and any belief system that tells you otherwise, might be false.
@KenChang I see.
To truly help yourself, you must be willing to help others. Makes sense to me.
RandyMoose
Level 7
Feb 25, 2019
1
Unfortunately, Brothers (siblings to be more accurate) don't always get along and sometimes even become bitter enemies.
JackPedigo
Level 9
Feb 25, 2019
2
This is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing this, Ken! ?
SleeplessInTexas
Level 8
Feb 25, 2019
3
If only life was that simple.
Fernapple
Level 9
Feb 25, 2019
2
It could be that simple. We spend so much energy making things so complicated. We create and maintain entire industries and groups dedicated to making things complicated. We tie ourselves in knots finding reasons not to help, not to care.
@Fernapple Without sharing her 'scope' or all of her point of view, one can still understand that our kind has busied itself with making life cruel and complicated for the last 6,000 years. When and if women ever return to parity or leadership, these seemingly complicated creatures will simplify a lot in life and fill it with love and nurturing.
We won't be around to see it, but a lot has been happening to facilitate that return in the last century.
@Silver1wun I think we need to move beyond physical gender as a deciding factor in expected roles. Science is quicker then many know or would likely believe moving to a world were children can be grown in artificial wombs and be tailor made for certain traits. Many men I have known are far better nurturers then some money and I know woman who can out "man" many men. Gay couples make fine parents. For the same reason many straight couples do. The act of parenting is the question not the nature of the parents. We still cling so hard to our assumptions about classes and groups of people and suffer for that.
@Silver1wun I don’t think looking back over the last 6,000 yrs, I can feel too optimistic about the next 6,000!
@Freedompath No.
Hmmmm. This quote is a bit out of context. This is from the "sci-fi" fiction by Ursula Le Guin. This is a speech from an "emissary" from a plant colonized by idealistic anarchist, who returns to his "home" planet in an attempt to bring the two worlds closer together. Interesting book. Interesting ideas. But I agree that the role of suffering is important, as it is inevitable. It cannot be ignored.
AtheistReader
Level 7
Feb 24, 2019
4
Interesting definition of connection. Whether it refers to a human connection or a psychological experience that "brothern", that shared experience is what helps us understand and associate empathy to ourselves and others.
Fibonacci1618
Level 7
Feb 24, 2019
3
Sorry my friend but I absolutely reject any idea that proposes making people suffer as a path to enlightenment. Poverty, whether monetary, emotional or other has lasting and damaging effects. Growth can be achieved without torment and I detest anything that demands suffering for "betterment".
Look at the geniuses and artists of the past. The ones who were not deprived of opportunities to learn grow and create were much more prolific on the whole. How many genuises and brilliant advances have we lost over the centuries to poverty and artificial hardship imposed to " purify souls"? I suspect we would weep if we knew.
OpposingOpposum
Level 9
Feb 24, 2019
3
I don't think that is talking about having to suffer, neither do I think it talks about suffering and enlightenment. It's talking about that we all suffer sometimes and when we do that is all we have,
@Jolanta on the surface, yes. I will argue that that sort of idea leads directly to the "suffering is good for you" mindset. A mindset that has been proven wrong over and over and over again in history.
@Jolanta @OpposingOpposum I appreciate the expression of perspective, especially shared so articulately from both of you. Reminds me of a quote by Allen Watts. It went something like this (not an exact quote): We experience life through 3 perspectives depending on our emotional security. Internally, like a microscope. Situationaly, in our Now. Through our own eyes, and Externally, like a telescope. All views are correct, but many vary in results and definition.
@Fibonacci1618 that is why it's best to see things from different perspectives.. or lenses. It takes time to develop this.. but it is very enlightening and humbling.
@AmmaRE007 I agree with your point. I really don't favor the verb "humbling" via it's definition. Humanizing is more fitting to me without having to lower one's self worth. But enlightening, absolutely!
@Fibonacci1618 Humanizing is a better word, thanks
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