that we shall see it emerge from the study and analysis of it, and from the clash of the opinions of the various currents upon it, to the loftiest and highest point the world has reached.
And if there is anything that warms the heart, spreads gladness in the soul, and points to the goodness of this country and the fineness of its human element, it is that gentle, spontaneous acquiescence among all its circles to whatever measures and conceptions truth imposes, the moment that truth here becomes clear.
Yet the inquiry brings me, in any case, to a grave side of my subject, touching the estrangement, wariness, and shrinking into oneself that sometimes result between circles whose opinions have clashed and whose conceptions have differed over certain questions laid upon the carpet of discussion; so that a kind of intellectual polarization takes place, leading to a blocking-together that often makes one fear for the unity of this country and the solidarity of its sons. For there sometimes escapes from the mouths of some, or from their pens, a wave of rancor, of love of domination, and of the imposing of certain conceptions over others by the force of partisanship and in the name of its majority; and certain quarters strive to stoke this rancor or this repulsion, confusion is sown, and the specter of division rears its horn, until the sons of a single homeland become as strangers to one another, enemies to one another — so that the superficial observer supposes there is no possibility of true and sincere solidarity among the sons of this country.
And while we are in this dangerous, fevered atmosphere, we see the Lebanese character, with its singular vitality and the fineness of its human element, triumph over
all these pettinesses and come forth with watchwords pulsing with humanity and eagerness, boiling over with dignity and pride, drawing upon all that has passed upon tongues or run from pens — so that all the elements gather around them in a near-miracle, since they come expressing the various currents, suited to all desires — desires that meet in the end upon the plane of the love of goodness and of truth — and they come, above all that, in keeping with all
that is new in the world and with every development being realized. Here is the positive face of the multiplicity of its currents.
So if we boast, and if we take pride in the fact that "we are in Lebanon," then our boasting and our pride have legitimate grounds, which we ought to take as a spur to love this country with a deep, conscious love — one that understands all its traits and takes care that these traits be never disfigured.
(Published on page 23)
(Give a point for each answer; the total of the points you choose is your mark)
1 - False: this attitude may keep the partner in the marriage from making the effort to overcome the difficulties threatening the marital bond.
2 - False: while common interests support the marital foundations, we observe that many couples successful in their life differ in interest and in taste; indeed, similar interests may be dangerous to a marriage, since they lead to psychological strain and irksome rivalry.
3 - False: this helps somewhat, but couples who believe in the authority of the mind can do without it.
4 - False: if our answer to this were yes, we would have strayed toward something resembling error and incompetence, which harms the shared happiness.
5 - False: this feeling may change, but it need not weaken.
6 - False: what shall we say of those advanced in years? That attraction fades away, and in its place come complete reliance, respect, mutual friendship, and shared inclinations.
7 - False: routine is tedious, and forced effort exhausts the strength of both.
8 - False: as the statistics have shown.
9 - False.
10 - False: neglecting the side of love weakens the marriage vows.
11 - False: this helps, but many women are not skilled at cooking and have nevertheless become ideal wives.
12 - False: spending a holiday now and then each in a separate direction helps to strengthen the marital foundations.
13 - The truth lies in letter (c), for it points to the noblest aim of an ideal marriage.