South African author, human rights advocate, Christian thinker, and educator, Alan Paton (1903-1988) is best know for his book Cry, the Beloved Country. It’s a haunting book on the tragedy of race relations in South Africa, and one which shaped much of my thinking during my late teenage years. I still remember the opening two sentences of the book – perhaps because the countryside remains etched in my memory… There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it. I hope you enjoy some of Paton’s insights…
- Sorrow is better than fear. Fear is a journey, a terrible journey. But sorrow is at least an arriving. Alan Paton
- When a deep injury is done, we never recover until we forgive. Alan Paton
- The tragedy is not that things are broken. The tragedy is that things are not mended again. Alan Paton
- I shall no longer ask myself if this or that is expedient but only if it is right. I shall do this, not because I am noble or unselfish, but because life slips away, and because I need for the rest of my journey a star that will not play false to me, a compass that will not lie. I shall do this, because I cannot find it in me to do anything else. I am lost when I balance this against that. I am lost when I ask if this is safe. I am lost when I ask if men will approve. Therefore I shall try to do what is right, and to speak what is true. Alan Paton
As always, nice chatting…
Good.