Reach… to the Invisible World

There is much to be said at Commencement, and at other times also, to those who

are deciding on careers and moving into more permanent pursuits. But in all that is said,

remember that there must be balance. In the urgent search for material success, there

must be a balance of mind and spirit, of morals and manners and solid qualities of

character. Do not be satisfied merely with the visible world,” said Edward S. Martin.

“The things of which your senses alone make you aware are not enough. You may

satisfy all your senses and still not be satisfied… Go out on a clear night and look at

the sky. It is as though an ant came out of an ant hill and climbed a tree and looked

around… You have to work with tangible, finite things… but after one has considered

all the improvements… all the increases of knowledge… what is the main resulting

conclusion?… that the important thing of all is man… The great thing is to live…”¹

Some of our predecessors in human life knew a surprising amount about living… but for

one reason or another… their civilizations pretty well perished with them… The

great difficulty man has found has been in being good… The great reason usually

given why civilizations did not last better is, that human creatures never learned the great

lesson of deportment completely enough to endure prosperity… If we can learn to be

good there is a fair chance that civilization will be permanent. If we cannot… it will

break down under us.”¹ With all the knowledge, all the improvements, all the physical

progress, still there has not been found a better set of standards, a better code of conduct

than given by the Master of mankind. Knowledge, talents, tools, manners, things of the

spirit, and solid qualities of character. So this we say to you who are young and have

much of your lives left to live: There must be balance. And whatever else you do, be a

kind, compassionate, honorable, moral and responsible person. You may satisfy all your

senses and still not be satisfied.”