Martinus: Livets Bog, vol. 5, sect. 1754

1754. The sympathy that separates the "human being" from the "animal" is thus a phenomenon that has nothing to do with the drive for self-preservation. On the contrary, this true sympathy does not allow its source to seek its own good. It makes it willingly sacrifice itself if, in so doing, it can save other beings, which in this case means anyone at all, from mortal danger or another unhappy state. It is just as great a contrast to the animal's nature as day is a contrast to night. By virtue of this it can thus be shown that the "human being" is an entirely different species of being and has another basis for living than the "animal". This willingness to suffer rather than allow others to suffer if and when required to do so, and willingness to risk their lives to free others from suffering have of course not yet become generally applicable to terrestrial mankind, but it cannot be denied that even if the ordinary terrestrial human being has not yet reached the point where it willingly risks its very life for the welfare of others, there are already greater or lesser tendencies in this direction in its psyche. What are philanthropic phenomena? What are all the many relief measures that are set in motion by private people as well as public institutions, to help poor and needy people, including children orphaned by war and other war victims? What is the public hospital service and the medical help they provide? What are the state's disability pension and old age pension? And what is the general public's strong demand to make these even bigger so as to safeguard life better than they do now? What are police protection and the protection of the law? What are the state's free schooling and free school meals? What are the statutory hygiene and health conditions? What is the core and strength of the great world religions? What is the energy and strength behind in the construction of wonderful churches and temples all over the world? What is the strength and purpose of all the many cultural phenomena that exist where war does not rage, and where one can therefore live one's life in peace? What is the purpose of the big engines, elevators, electric light, water and gas services, central heating, the laying out of beautiful public parks and gardens embellished with ingenious works of art? What are the state's museums or art collections, its academies, universities and colleges and so on? Is there any one of these phenomena that does not ultimately manifest exactly the opposite of the animal or selfish principle? Are they not all manifestations that cannot possibly be created or maintained by animal faculties, that is to say the faculties that create antipathy or war, mutilation and death? Is it not a fact that these phenomena cannot possibly be the result of anger, war or hatred? Is it not easy to see, even without cosmic consciousness, that it is a far milder mental atmosphere that forms the basis for the appearance of these phenomena than the violent, animal atmosphere, whose egoistic consequences are inevitably loss of liberty, camouflaged or obvious enslavement, terror, mutilation, death and ruin? Is it not an equally true fact that people would prefer a mild atmosphere to a the violent, belligerent one? What is their present chronic cry for lasting peace?