One man sits and does nothing; and eats himself up. Another labors alone without end; and eats himself up.
One folds his hands and refuses to grab anything; and his hands are empty. Another grabs whatever comes near with both hands; and in the end his hands are empty too.
One nation has the lowest per capita productivity on the UN charts, and life is miserable. Another has the highest per capita productivity, and everyone is dissatisfied with his portion.
This too is vapor and shepherding wind. And there is nothing better than to grasp and work with one hand, while leaving the other hand free to hold a mug.
Dear Reader,
Can I be direct with you?
War abroad. Socialists on the rise. AI upending human life. Endless uproar online. The modern attention economy doesn’t want readers — it wants users enslaved to the tyranny of the present.
First Things is the antidote: literary excellence, timeless truths, and a fixed point of reference in a culture that has lost its bearings.
But we can’t do it without readers like you.
Our goal: Raise $150,000 by November 1 to sustain First Things in the year ahead.
Your gift anchors readers in the permanent things.
Make your Fall Campaign gift now using the button below.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Giovanni Del Piero, Director of the Editor’s Circle, at gdelpiero@firstthings.com or 212-627-1985.
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