On suffering and malevolence by J. B. Peterson.


What is the antidote to the suffering and malevolence of life?

The highest possible goal.

What is the prerequisite to pursuit of the highest possible goal?

Willingness to adopt the maximum degree of responsibility - and this includes the responsibilities that others disregard or neglect.

You might object:

“Why should I shoulder all that burden? It is nothing but sacrifice, hardship, and trouble.”

But what makes you so sure you do not want something heavy to carry?

You positively need to be occupied with something weighty, deep, profound, and difficult. 

Then, when you wake up in the middle of the night and the doubts crowd in, you have some defence:

“For all my flaws, which are manifold, at least I am doing this.

At least I am taking care of myself. At least I am of use to my family, and to the other people around me.

At least I am moving, stumbling upward, under the load I have determined to carry.”

From:
J. B. Peterson. Beyond Order. Rule IV. p134

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