In March 1973, the
author E. B. White wrote this reply to a Mr.
Nadeau, who sought White’s opinion on what he saw as a bleak future for the
human race.
As long as
there is one upright man, as long as there is one compassionate woman, the
contagion may spread and the scene is not desolate. Hope is the thing that is
left to us, in a bad time. I shall get up Sunday morning and wind the clock, as
a contribution to order and steadfastness.
Sailors have an
expression about the weather: they say, the weather is a great bluffer. I guess
the same is true of our human society — things can look dark, then a break
shows in the clouds, and all is changed, sometimes rather suddenly. It is quite
obvious that the human race has made a queer mess of life on this planet. But
as a people we probably harbor seeds of goodness that have lain for a long time
waiting to sprout when the conditions are right. Man’s curiosity, his
relentlessness, his inventiveness, his ingenuity have led him into deep
trouble. We can only hope that these same traits will enable him to claw his
way out.
Hang on to your
hat. Hang on to your hope. And wind the clock, for tomorrow is another day.
Sincerely,
E. B. White
From Letters of Note, by Shaun Usher
