historical thoughts June 16, 2009

i was in history class yesterday and my prof said something that set me thinking:

when Tsar Nicholas II knew that the war on the Eastern Front was not going well for him, and that defeat was imminent, he could not focus on politics.  When his minister of agriculture came to him to report the agricultural details of the country to him, the Tsar could not be interested.  Instead he was more concerned about the simpler, and finer joys of life such as the minister’s family, children, and the like. 

it was the same with Hitler, when he knew that there was no way Germany would win the war.  Then, he was more interested in architecture. 

i guess the pressure in them was so great that they needed another avenue to try to bring back joy in their lives.  i guess whoever it is, it is very important to keep balance in life.  in persuing your dreams and visions, it is important not to let these things consume your life. the situation of the Tsar and Hitler were probably fundamentally different.  The Tsar was responsible for his position because of his lack of competence, but he was probably there in the first place because of the circumstance.  He was the heir to the throne by birth and was fundamentally a good man who probably was in the wrong position, and doing many wrong things at the wrong time. Hitler in my opinion was just consumed by his own hurts, prejudices, and bitterness.  When success came he just got more and more trapped.  I guess it’s really true that whatever that is built on negative emotions will not last.  only what that is built on love lasts.

both man tried hard. but both ended void of joy and a serene peace in their hearts, that they needed escape routes.  and could not focus on the real dream any longer, with no more perseverance to press on.  in my opinion, one is the combined result of wrong person, wrong actions, and wrong time. the other is probably the trap of trying to build a lasting empire through negative emotions.

Advertisement