Great Construction

Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction


  It goes without saying that all human beings wish to be in a state of satisfaction, but that cannot be realized as desired, which is the very nature of life, though. You may find this fact interesting depending on how you look it. On reflection, however, the drive to advance culture arises from dissatisfied human mind, so it is not possible to give a simple explanation of how the world goes. The more dissatisfaction people have, the more they improve and the more reforms and advancement can be made. However, too much dissatisfaction is likely to invite disaster. For example, to cause conflict, and even to lead to a catastrophe. Individually, family discord, breaches between friends and acquaintances, quarrels, desperation and troubles with the police, which can even become the cause of a dangerous situation not infrequently. Socially, to organize a radical group of people advocating a particular doctrine of ideology, developing into throwing firebombs and destructive activities, and possibly to start a rebellion. Such being the case, we cannot make light of it. 
  On the other hand, a person who is said to be good-natured or naïve seems to have little dissatisfaction and always to be satisfied. But this kind of person is the last one to have competence, so becomes useless to the world. Then it is concluded that neither satisfaction nor dissatisfaction is preferable, so you cannot know which is better. But that is not a very difficult matter. Since it is not good, after all, to go too far to one side, you should balance both sides properly. Still, it is easy to say but quite difficult to do, which may be what makes a life a life. In essence, if you have enough flexibility to adapt yourself to the ever-changing situation, and are sincere in the bottom of your heart (makoto), you will be of use to society and advance in the world, and will be able to obtain good fortune. 

Eikô, Issue 200, March 18, 1953
 translation by taki