Personal Peace and Privacy

In pursuing the subject of freedom and personal peace and the right of privacy, there are some interesting citations from some interesting sources. We all need times of quiet and composure and freedom from intrusion and confusion. T.S.Eliot provides a penetrating phrase as he refers to “…strained time-ridden faces distracted form distraction by distraction…” too often we make decisions in confusion and distraction. “No man can survive as an island, “wrote Ashley Montagu. “No man wants to be an island. But every human being wants and needs to replenish his resources…by having a room of his own, as it were, a sanctuary to which he can retire and in which he can be alone with him-self, undisturbed by the rumors and alarums of the outside world….The increasing loss of privacy,” he says, “serves…to reduce rather than to increase the chances of the individual being able to discover what those things are that are right and healthy for him…In whatever environment one may be, the opportunity of being quietly with oneself is inexorably diminishing, for there is no longer any time of the day during which one cannot be broken in on” in one way or another. “…ye ought to be quiet and to do nothing rashly,” is the good counsel recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Confusion and undue intrusion and persuasion often lead people to act rashly. This wise and considered comment comes from Thessalonians: “…that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands…” How wonderfully worth remembering: quiet—minding your own business—working with your own hands. And “…in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength…” “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” In all the making and doing and in all that is essential in the work of the world, there is much noise, and much impact of many people upon many people—and we need time and quiet to reach a deeper awareness, and to search and know ourselves. There must be times for peace and quiet, with respect for other people and their privacy.