On Thoughts and Aphorisms

Aphorism - 76

76—Europe prides herself on her practical and scientific organisation and efficiency. I am waiting till her organisation is perfect; then a child shall destroy her.¹

When these Aphorisms were published in the Bulletin you said that this one should be omitted. It is a rather mysterious Aphorism, which I would very much like to understand. But I would like to know whether now we should publish it or not?

Where did Sri Aurobindo write that?

In the Aphorisms.

Yes, but he did not write a special book; these texts were collected from here and there.

No, no, not at all. Sri Aurobindo had a special notebook in which he wrote the Aphorisms as they came.² And this one was among the others.

(Silence)

"A child"... What did he put in English at the beginning?

"Prides herself."

Prides herself...

I would put it in.

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But what did he mean?

I don't know.

Of course, only the power can be destroyed, because one cannot destroy the earth.

Yes, the earth cannot be destroyed, but a civilisation can be destroyed.

Yes.

He says: Europe will be destroyed.

Yes... but which child?

I have the impression that it came as something absolutely true, an absolutely true prediction—but I don't know.

You had said that it would be better to leave it out.

But now, on the contrary, I feel that it must be said.

But I do not think that the time has come yet, I mean "come" for the realisation; the time has come to say it, but not for the realisation.

"The child"... perhaps it is the child of the new world—with a smile, he will bring the whole thing tumbling down.

Yes, it is possible—it is possible.

(Silence)

There is a terrifying power in it... something tremendous. You cannot imagine the power that is in it; it is really as if the Divine himself were speaking: "I am waiting... I am waiting..."

11 December 1971

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