Some people are born with a vital and responsive energy.
It not only enables them to keep abreast of the times; it qualifies them to furnish in their own personality a good bit of the motive power to the mad pace. They are fortunate beings. They do not need to apprehend the significance of things. They do not grow weary nor miss step, nor do they fall out of rank and sink by the wayside to be left contemplating the moving procession.
Ah! that moving procession that has left me by the road-side! Its fantastic colors are more brilliant and beautiful than the sun on the undulating waters. What matter if souls and bodies are falling beneath the feet of the ever-pressing multitude! It moves with the majestic rhythm of the spheres. Its discordant clashes sweep upward in one harmonious tone that blends with the music of other worlds to complete God’s orchestra.
It is greater than the stars that moving procession of human energy; greater than the palpitating earth and the things growing thereon. Oh! I could weep at being left by the wayside; left with the grass and the clouds and a few dumb animals. True, I feel at home in the society of these symbols of life’s immutability. In the procession I should feel the crushing feet, the clashing discords, the ruthless hands and stifling breath. I could not hear the rhythm of the march.
Salve! ye dumb hearts. Let us be still and wait by the roadside.
This profound statement, followed by a poignant reflection on the nature of human existence and societal progress, encapsulates a deep philosophical contemplation on the human condition. It speaks to the inherent differences in human nature, the relentless march of progress, and the often overlooked beauty in stillness and contemplation.
The opening lines paint a vivid picture of those individuals who seem naturally attuned to the pulse of life and progress. These are the people who effortlessly keep pace with the ever-changing world, not merely following but often driving the change themselves. They are described as “fortunate beings,” possessing an innate energy that propels them forward without the need for deep introspection or the risk of falling behind.
This description raises questions about the nature of success and fulfillment in our fast-paced society. Is it truly fortunate to be swept along by the current of progress without pause for reflection? Or is there a hidden cost to this constant forward motion?
The narrative then shifts dramatically, as the author positions themselves as an observer left behind by this “moving procession.” This metaphor for societal progress is described in vivid, almost hallucinatory terms. The procession is at once beautiful and terrible, with “fantastic colors” that outshine even natural wonders, yet it moves forward relentlessly, heedless of the “souls and bodies” falling beneath its feet.
This imagery evokes the double-edged nature of progress. On one hand, there’s the allure of being part of something greater, a collective human endeavor that moves with “the majestic rhythm of the spheres.” On the other, there’s a sense of the individual being crushed beneath the weight of this unstoppable force.
The author’s perspective, from the sidelines of this grand procession, offers a unique vantage point. While expressing a sense of loss and longing at being left behind, there’s also a recognition of the value in this position. Away from the “crushing feet” and “clashing discords,” the observer can hear a harmony that those caught up in the march might miss.
This passage touches on a fundamental human dilemma: the tension between participation and observation, between progress and reflection. It suggests that there’s a cost to being constantly in motion, always striving to keep up with the pace of change. In the rush forward, we may miss the subtle harmonies, the quiet truths that can only be perceived from a place of stillness.
The author finds solace in the company of nature and “dumb animals,” symbols of life’s immutability. This connection to the unchanging aspects of existence offers a counterpoint to the ceaseless motion of human progress. It suggests that there’s wisdom and peace to be found in aligning oneself with the timeless rhythms of the natural world.
The final line, “Salve! ye dumb hearts. Let us be still and wait by the roadside,” is a powerful call for contemplation and patience. It proposes an alternative to the frantic pace of progress – a willingness to be still, to observe, and to wait. This stance is not presented as defeat or resignation, but as a conscious choice to engage with life in a different, perhaps deeper way.
This passage raises important questions about the nature of progress and the human experience. Is constant forward motion truly progress, or do we lose something essential in our rush to advance? Is there value in stepping out of the procession, in taking time to observe and reflect?
In our modern world, where the pace of change seems to accelerate constantly, these questions are more relevant than ever. The pressure to keep up, to stay “abreast of the times,” can be overwhelming. We’re bombarded with information, expected to adapt to new technologies and social paradigms at an ever-increasing rate. In this context, the idea of choosing to step aside, to be “left with the grass and the clouds,” can seem almost revolutionary.
Yet, this passage suggests that such a choice might offer its own rewards. From the sidelines, one might perceive truths and beauties that are invisible from within the procession. There’s a suggestion that true wisdom might lie not in constant motion, but in the ability to be still, to observe, to connect with the immutable aspects of existence.
This perspective challenges our societal values of constant productivity and progress. It asks us to consider whether there’s a different kind of strength in choosing stillness, in resisting the pull of the “ever-pressing multitude.” It proposes that there might be as much value in being an observer as there is in being a participant.
Moreover, this passage speaks to the diversity of human experience and the different roles we might play in the grand narrative of human progress. While some may be born with that “vital and responsive energy” that propels them to the forefront of change, others may find their purpose in observation, reflection, and providing a different kind of wisdom.
In conclusion, this profound meditation on human nature and progress offers a valuable counterpoint to our culture’s often unquestioning embrace of forward motion. It reminds us of the importance of pause, of reflection, of connecting with the timeless aspects of existence. It suggests that true wisdom might lie in finding a balance between motion and stillness, between progress and contemplation. In a world that often seems to value speed and achievement above all else, this passage offers a gentle reminder of the power and beauty of choosing to “be still and wait by the roadside.”
