标题: [Clover] Issue170 by 辰 [打印本页] 作者: missingusa 时间: 2010-2-12 06:10:11 标题: [Clover] Issue170 by 辰
170"The surest indicator of a great nation is not the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists, but the general welfare of all its people."
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The need for general welfare of all its people to judge whether it is a great nation or not is undeniable but one can not underestimate the contribution of achievements of such individuals as rulers, artists, or scientists to it. As I have faith in the saying by Einstein that “The life value should be judged from his contribution rather than his profession”, I may claim that how much has a nation offered to the world is the main factor of being great, which is primarily based on the general welfare. And, at the same time, individual efforts may somewhat influence the general welfare, which determines a nation’s greatness.
Therefore, the welfare of all its people is required fundamentally for the nation to achieve greatness. Without feeling peaceful or satisfied physically, seldom are people able to focus on their work sedulously, let alone something of true value to the human race. According to the Maslow’s hierarchy, if the deficient needs, including breathing, food, security, family, which are at lower levels, are not met, one may tend to get bit of depression, strain, or some other negative attitude to life and consequently be affected on pursuit of personal values. So it is not difficult to imagine that when we feel hungry, we seek for food rather than perform as a workaholic. And when we are exposed to danger, it is more likely for us to escape or hide from it than enter the laboratories or studios to burst out our inspirations. What’s more, such matters as breaking up with lovers can also lead to despair and block our access to meaningful accomplishments. Thus, whether a nation is great or not is grounded on the welfare of all its people for it supplies space for us to think, explore, create, that is to say, to devote ourselves into constructing our earth. And the nation will be accepted then if some of its individuals succeed in blessing the world.
Furthermore, one’s achievements in such fields as medical and art promise the prosperity of the general welfare. Thanks to the discovery of Penicillin fungi. The development of this type of antibiotics firstly prevents death from serious disease, including the infections of syphilis and staphylococcus, saving millions of lives. And when it comes to art, those magnificent paintings, music, and poems are able to offer a colorful and enjoyable period of leisure time to us. As a result, not only the society is benefitted by these precious pieces of works, but also the nations of those manufacturers are remembered as great nations, which enable the entire world to progress in science, civilizations, etc.
As is discussed above, whether the nation is a great one or not may rely on two aspects. Namely, the achievements of a nation’s individuals reflect its greatness in essence, while we cannot deny the foundation of it is the general welfare of all its people.