PARTISAN REVIEW
I believe that physical evolution must be topped by spiritual
involution, to complete the sphere.
And just as that sphere is an image of the world, so an apple
is an image of that sphere. It is in the nature of a fruit, as in the
nature of a world, that while it is growing it is hard and bitter. When
that period is over, and the aggressive, expansive spirit has departed,
then
it
can begin to ripen. Its conception of virtue changes complete–
ly; it becomes more kindly and tolerant.
So I believe that the human race will eventually, perhaps in
the next few hundred years, reach the point where it will cease to
expand and will begin to ripen. There will be fewer children, less
competition and more cooperation, wars will be a horror of the
past, and kindness will be the rule instead of the exception. Art will
become simple again. I am not sure that this will happen in the
next few centuries, but I am sure that it will happen some day, for
sooner or later
all
living things grow tired of selfishness. Eventually
they reach the crest of the hill, and pass over it to take the downward
way.
And the fact that this downward way leads ultimately to death
is nothing against it. Death is the appointed resting place for all of
us. It is not required of a world, or of a fruit, that it should live
forever; only that it should grow ripe before it dies.
