The Moral Vision
The Will to Unite
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THE WILL TO UNITE
If an engine driver is to set his locomotive in
motion, he has to stand before the fire and endure
it’s fierce heat. This huge and complex machine,
built up of so many parts, will remain immobile
unless he is prepared to do so. The same goes for
society. It will not function unless the individuals
who have to make all its parts work are prepared to
sacrifice something of their own and are ready to
endure difficulties, if not actual hardship. And just
as all the moving parts of a locomotive have to be
kept regularly oiled, if they are not to be worn out
with friction, thus bringing the machinery to a
standstill, so tolerance must be a feature of society,
if it is to function as a harmonious whole. Tolerance
is the oil which will let the wheels go round. There
can be no teamwork without it.
When people work together in groups, it is
inevitable that there should be disagreements and
that complaints should be voiced. However well-
intentioned the individuals concerned may be, such
negative feelings are bound to surface sooner or
later. How is it possible then to work together in
