All the technology of our production was still pre-War. They

Hear now the voice of Gianni Agnelli, a titan of industry, who recalled the hardship of his nation’s renewal after the fires of war: “All the technology of our production was still pre-War. They were sort of ’38, ’39 and the War had been stable and so we were infinitely behind whatever had been going on in the United States for instance.” In these words, Agnelli revealed not only the struggles of factories and machines, but the deeper truth of a people rebuilding from ruin. For when war passes, the fields may be replanted, the cities rebuilt, but the spirit of technology, if left stagnant, becomes a chain that binds progress.

Before the Second World War, Italy, like many nations, labored with machines that were the marvels of their age. Yet the war froze them in time. While the United States raced forward, turning its forges toward ever newer methods, Italy remained bound to the technology of yesterday. Thus Agnelli speaks of a gap—not merely of machines, but of vision, of innovation, of daring. To be “infinitely behind” was not just to lack the tools, but to feel the weight of standing still while the world surged ahead.

Consider, O listeners, the tale of Japan after that same war. The nation lay in ashes, its industries shattered, its people hungry. Yet with humility and discipline, they studied the advances of others, embraced new methods, and rebuilt with a swiftness that astonished the world. In two decades, they rose from ruin to become masters of electronics and automobiles. The lesson is clear: stagnation is death, but the will to renew—though painful—can transform ashes into triumph.

Agnelli’s words also reveal the peril of complacency. For when nations or people believe they may rest upon the tools of yesterday, they awaken to find themselves surpassed. This truth is not confined to factories alone. In every art, every craft, every pursuit, the one who clings only to the old ways without growth will be left behind. The blacksmith who refused to learn steam found his forge empty. The scholar who mocked electricity found himself teaching in shadows while others lit their halls. Thus, the story of Fiat and Italy’s post-war industry is the story of all who must choose between decay and renewal.

Yet let us not despise the old entirely, for it is the foundation upon which the new is built. The pre-war production methods were not evil, but insufficient for a world transformed. So too in our own lives: the skills and wisdom of yesterday must be honored, but they must also be sharpened, expanded, and reborn. To cling too tightly to what once served is to deny the possibility of growth. To step boldly into new learning, even at the cost of discomfort, is to remain alive.

The heart of Agnelli’s remembrance, then, is not despair, but warning and inspiration. He acknowledged how far behind they were, yet from that acknowledgment came the fire to rebuild, to push forward, to strive for excellence. It is in admitting weakness that strength begins, for only by knowing how far one has fallen can one rise again. In this, his words carry the ring of wisdom for all generations: confess where you are behind, and let that confession ignite your determination to catch up, and even to surpass.

What then must you do, O hearers of this teaching? Do not grow stagnant in your work, your studies, or your art. Ask yourself often: “Am I working with the tools of yesterday while the world has moved on?” Be unafraid to learn anew, even if it humbles you. Welcome innovation, but temper it with wisdom, so that it serves life and not destruction. In small acts—whether in your craft, your home, or your service—let your mind remain open, your spirit eager, and your hands ready for renewal.

Thus, let Gianni Agnelli’s words echo in your heart: that to fall behind is not shame, but to remain behind is. The gap between what was and what is can only be closed by courage, humility, and persistence. If you walk this path, then no matter how far you begin behind others, you too may rise, rebuild, and leave a legacy that endures beyond the ruins of time.