“What is the object of human life? The enlightened conservative does not believe that the end or aim of life is competition; or success; or enjoyment; or longevity; or power; or possessions. He believes instead, that the object of life is Love. He knows that the just and ordered society is that in which Love governs us, so far as Love ever can reign in this world of sorrows; and heknows that the anarchical or the tyrannical society is that in which Love lies corrupt. He has learnt that Love is the source of all being, and that Hell itself is ordained by Love. He understands that Death, when we have finished the part that was assigned to us, is the reward of Love. And heapprehends the truth that the greatest happiness ever granted to a man is the privilege of being happy in the hour of his death. He has no intention of converting this human society of ours into an efficient machine for efficient machine-operators, dominated by master mechanics. Men are put into this world, he realizes, tostruggle, to suffer, to contend against the evil that is in their neighbors and in themselves, and to aspire toward the triumph of Love. They are put into this world to live like men, and to die like men. He seeks to preserve a society which allows men to attain manhood, rather than keeping them within bonds of perpetual childhood. With Dante, he looks upward from this place of slime, this world of gorgons and chimeras, toward the light which gives Love to this poor earth and all the stars. And, with Burke, he knows that "they will never love where they ought to love, who do not hate where they ought to hate.”
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Quote Analysis:
In this quote by Russell Kirk, the enlightened conservative is portrayed as valuing love above all else in human life. He sees love as the governing force in a just and ordered society, contrasting it with anarchical or tyrannical societies where love is corrupted. The enlightened conservative believes that love is the source of all being, even present in death as a reward for a life well-lived. The ultimate goal for the enlightened conservative is to struggle, suffer, and contend against evil in order to aspire toward the triumph of love. This perspective emphasizes the importance of allowing individuals to attain manhood and live fully in a society that values love over efficiency and control.
With this in mind, the enlightened conservative views life as a journey filled with both struggles and ultimately, the privilege of finding happiness in the hour of one's death. The quote also references the idea that true love involves both affection and righteousness, as one cannot truly love without also knowing when to hate what is destructive.
Modern Relevance
In a world where competition, success, and material possessions often take precedence, the timeless wisdom of Russell Kirk reminds us of the true object of human life: Love. Kirk's belief in the power of Love to govern society and lead individuals towards their true purpose serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of compassion, empathy, and human connection in today's world. Let us reflect on Kirk's words and strive to create a society where Love reigns supreme, guiding us towards a more fulfilling and purposeful existence.
Example of Usage:
In this passage, Russell Kirk explores the concept of Love as the true object of human life and how it should govern society. He emphasizes the importance of striving for manhood, contending against evil, and aspiring toward the triumph of Love. Kirk's words serve as a reminder of the fundamental values that should guide our actions and relationships with others.
Reflection Questions:
Reflecting on the excerpt from Russell Kirk, consider the following questions:
- What do you believe is the ultimate object of human life?
- Do you agree with the idea that Love should govern our actions and decisions in society?
- How do you interpret the concept that Hell itself is ordained by Love?
- In what ways can society be structured to allow individuals to attain manhood or womanhood?
- How can we balance the struggle and suffering inherent in life with the pursuit of happiness and Love?
Take some time to contemplate these questions and consider how your own beliefs and values align with the principles outlined by Kirk.
Similar quotes
“The libertarian thinks that this world is chiefly a stage for the swaggering ego; the conservative finds himself instead a pilgrim in a realm of mystery and wonder, where duty, discipline, and sacrifice are required-and where the reward is that love which passeth all understanding.”
“The world in which we live is held together by love. The world in which we love is held together by fate. The world in which we die is of our own making. Death comes from hatred and man is the only creature who hates, stronger than he loves.”
“There is an efficiency inspired by love which goes far beyond and is much greater than the efficiency of ambition; and without love, which brings an integrated understanding of life, efficiency breeds ruthlessness. Is this not what is actually taking place all over the world? Our present education is geared to industrialization and war, its principal aim being to develop efficiency; and we are caught in this machine of ruthless competition and mutual destruction. If education leads to war, if it teaches us to destroy or be destroyed, has it not utterly failed?”
“He said that men believe the blood of the slain to be of no consequence but that the wolf knows better. He said that the wolf is a being of great order and that it knows what men do not: that there is no order in this world save that which death has put there.”
“he believed that there is no end to the mischief and hatred which men harbor deep in themselves and unknown to themselves and no end to their capacity to deceive themselves and that though they loved life, they probably loved death more and in the end thanatos would likely win over eros.”
“Man should not be in the service of society, society should be in the service of man. When man is in the service of society, you have a monster state, and that's what is threatening the world at this minute. ...Certainly Star Wars has a valid mythological perspective. It shows the state as a machine and asks, "Is the machine going to crush humanity or serve humanity?" Humanity comes not from the machine but from the heart. What I see in Star Wars is the same problem that Faust gives us: Mephistopheles, the machine man, can provide us with all the means, and is thus likely to determine the aims of life as well. But of course the characteristic of Faust, which makes him eligible to be saved, is that he seeks aims that are not those of the machine. Now, when Luke Skywalker unmasks his father, he is taking off the machine role that the father has played. The father was the uniform. That is power, the state role.”