LUSCIOUS LOVES: E.B. White’s reply to a man who’d lost his faith in humanity

This is nice, no? From the author EB White, to a man who wrote to him saying he’d lost his faith in humanity, which I am also struggling with (see previous post).

Dear Mr. Nadeau:

As long as there is one upright man, as long as there is one compassionate woman, the contagion may spread and the scene is not desolate. Hope is the thing that is left to us, in a bad time. I shall get up Sunday morning and wind the clock, as a contribution to order and steadfastness.

Sailors have an expression about the weather: they say, the weather is a great bluffer. I guess the same is true of our human society — things can look dark, then a break shows in the clouds, and all is changed, sometimes rather suddenly.

It is quite obvious that the human race has made a queer mess of life on this planet. But as a people we probably harbor seeds of goodness that have lain for a long time waiting to sprout when the conditions are right. Man’s curiosity, his relentlessness, his inventiveness, his ingenuity have led him into deep trouble. We can only hope that these same traits will enable him to claw his way out.

Hang on to your hat. Hang on to your hope. And wind the clock, for tomorrow is another day.

Sincerely,

E. B. White
March 30, 1973

Elwyn Brooks “E. B.” White was an American writer who contributed to The New Yorker magazine, was a co-author of the English language style guide, The Elements of Style, which is commonly known as Strunk & White to those of us in the writing and editing game, and famed children’s books such as Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, and Wilbur’s Great Adventure.

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Thank you to all the incredibly kind people who have been emailing me and leaving such thoughtful, generous comments. It means a great deal.

Natasha xx

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