Intro
Another word that means almost the same as manliness is “maturity”. You are mature not when you can take care of yourself – plants can do that – but when you can take care of others. You begin to mature when you begin to produce more than you consume.
What you produce can be termed “wealth” i.e. when you make things (or people) more valuable or useful because of work (constructive effort) you put into them whether in a factory, farm, classroom, office or at home. Thus, cleaning the house or putting your wardrobe in order is true work, as much as manufacturing a chair or a computer is, even if you’re not paid for it. Entertaining your family or friends is work as much as settling accounts for a client. They’re definitely different types of work, but they both increase the value or usefulness of something or someone.
The excess of what you produce is usually what takes care of others. This is where your usefulness sprouts from.
Short Exercise 13
- Read the annex to Part 13. It is an article by David Wong titled 6 harsh truths that will make you a better person. (Language is flowery...)
- Better have a seat for this one...
Commentary
More of a self-evaluation actually…
- Infants – babies – consume and only consume. It is possible to be a big baby. In the last 3 weeks for example, have I effectively been a big baby?
- Where I live (or work), are there things I do or produce for others? Do I in any way make their lives easier or more pleasant (by expending effort, by working)?
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