自分の真実の姿に進んで向き合おうとする態度には、ある種の諦めが伴っている。この種の諦めは、初めのうちは痛みを伴うかもしれないが、最終的には、自己欺瞞に陥っている人が陥りやすい失望と幻滅に対する防御 －－事実、唯一可能な防御－－を与えてくれる。長い目でみれば、日毎に信じがたくなる事柄を日々信じようとする努力ほど疲れるものはないし、苦痛をつのらせるものはない。
A certain kind of resignation is involved in willingness to face the truth about ourselves; this kind, though it may involve pain in the first moments, affords ultimately a protection - indeed the only possible protection - against the disappointments and disillusionments to which the self-deceiver is liable. Nothing is more fatiguing nor, in the long run, more exasperating than the daily effort to believe things which daily become more incredible.
Source: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930, by Bertrand Russell
More info.: https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE06-030.HTM
＜寸言＞
自分自身への揺るぎない自信には、良い面と悪い面があります。自分を十分理解した上での自信は、自分がやりたいことを行い、自分が望むことを成就する上で大きな力になります。
しかし、「弱気を見せれば相手に敗ける」と思い込んで強気を貫き、客観的な事実を無視したり、自分の非を一切認めない態度は、相手だけでなく、最終的には自分自身をも傷つけることになります。
「本日のラッセルの言葉」は、もちろんトランプ大統領に向けた言葉ではありませんが、不思議なことに、ラッセルの批判の多くはトランプ大統領に当てはまってしまいます。
ただし、「長い目でみれば、日毎に信じがたくなる事柄を日々信じようとする努力ほど、疲れるものはなく、苦痛をつのらせるものはない。（Nothing is more fatiguing nor, in the long run, more exasperating than the daily effort to believe things which daily become more incredible.）」というラッセルの指摘は、多くの政治家に当てはまる言葉です。ただ、神経が図太く、どこまでも自己を信じて疑わないトランプ大統領には、当てはまらないのかも知れません。
Unshakable confidence in oneself has both positive and negative aspects.
When such confidence is grounded in a deep understanding of oneself, it can become a powerful force for doing what one truly wants and achieving what one desires.
However, when one clings to a strong facade out of the belief that "showing weakness means losing to the other," and in doing so ignores objective facts or refuses to admit any fault, such an attitude ends up harming not only others, but ultimately oneself as well.
Of course, today's "Words from Russell" were not directed at President Trump. And yet, strangely enough, many of Russell's criticisms seem to apply to him.
That said, Russell's observation --
"Nothing is more fatiguing nor, in the long run, more exasperating than the daily effort to believe things which daily become more incredible." --
is a remark that fits many politicians.
But perhaps it does not apply to President Trump, whose nerves seem made of steel and who appears to believe in himself without the slightest doubt.