The Frontiersman

Insight

You can no longer expect too much of yourself when you are old, but you gain an overview of what you have or haven’t made of your life, given the circumstances.

That’s something - but is it enough?

What standard should be applied?

Whoever can credibly pretend to himself that he has achieved something great might be happy. But whoever takes note of his own relative insignificance comes closer to the truth. In any event, a high degree of restraint might be in order when judging one’s own importance.

A cat wouldn't dream of reproaching herself for having slept too much or for thinking only of food all the time. That's because the cat has never nibbled at the Tree of Knowledge.

(Text: Wolfgang Lettl)