Kearsney College Chronicle Vol. 5, No.3 July, 1961 EDITORIAL We have heard of a recent utterance made on the question of the indispensibility—or otherwise—of the individual in any society. It is an interesting theme, worthy of a httle moralising. The theme "The King is dead, long live the King" is age-old. As the Tempter says in "Murder in the Cathedral", kings rule, barons rule—but when they die, others take their places, and life goes on. Thinking in general terms we would imagine that no-one is really indispensible, unless we except the highest-grade scientist or mathematician, and. Heaven knows, he has caused enough trouble. Or, perhaps, a really good spin bowler. As for the rest of hoc mortale genus, anyone who considered himself indispensible would be guilty of an inexcusable act of presumptuousness, placing himselfin line with the Deity. The duty of all, from highest to lowest, is to get on with his job,doing humbly,rehably,and as efficiently ashecan,the work that is entrusted to him. This applies to all, from the King or President down to the lowest fag in the prep school. Ifsome attain responsi bilities denied others, it is presumably because they have better qualifications at the time; but when they move out, others will move in and the work will go on. Undoubtedly every individual can find some piece of work which,rendered in the service ofothers, he can do with good effect. If he does this, no matter how minor it is, with full energy and a reasonable modicum ofself-effacement, he is doing his bit for the community. When he feels himselfno longer adequate or reliable, let him step out and another will step in. Life will go on! But it will go on better, we hope,for what we individually have done, be it lowly or important. In that sense we are all of us indispensible. 127
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