XIII. The Value of Life (Optimism and Pessimism)

Whoever starts from this point of view will find it easy to lay down the direction which human action must follow, in order to make its contribution to the greatest good of the universe. All that man need do will be to find out the counsels of God and to behave in accordance with them. If he knows what God's purposes are concerning the world and mankind, he will be able to do what is right. And he will be happy in the feeling that he is adding his share to the other good in the world. From this optimistic standpoint, then, life is worth living. It is such as to stimulate us to interest and co-operation.