The same impulse carried further causes kings to engrave their victories on monuments of stone, poets to relate old sorrows in words whose beauty (they hope) will make them immortal, and philosophers to invent systems providing that time is no more than illusion. Vain effort! The stone crumbles, the poet's words become unintelligible, and the philosopher's system are forgotten. Nonetheless, striving after eternity has ennobled the passing moment.
Source: Bertrand Russell: On old friends (written in Jan. 4, 1933 and pub. in Mortals and Others, v.1, 1975
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When considering the relationship between society and the individual, there is neither a necessity nor an obligation for society to forcibly conform to a particular individual (such as those in power), nor for individuals (such as myself) to forcibly conform to society. However, since society must take into account the well-being, welfare, and safety of many people, it cannot adopt a nihilistic stance. In contrast, individuals should be granted greater freedom as long as they do not negatively impact society (or others). At the very least, there should be no restrictions placed on thought.
Those who do not share this perspective will likely struggle to understand the words of Bertrand Russell that I quoted today. After making various nihilistic statements, he said, "Nonetheless, striving after eternity has ennobled the passing moment." Such people would neither comprehend nor resonate with this sentiment.
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