Chapter V: The Flag of the World Summary and Analysis

Pessimism and optimism both assume that man has some choice in the world in which he lives. The better attitude to have towards the world is one of love and loyalty, almost as a person loves his country. To love something is not, however, to approve of everything about it. If one loves a town, one will approve only of what is good in it while recognizing that its flaws should, and even must, be remedied. In fact, unless someone has this attitude, a thing can never be changed. Those who hate it, like the pessimist hates the world, will do nothing to help; the optimist, on the other hand, cannot see anything wrong with the world, and, likewise, has no motivation to help. He who truly loves can...