If men and women are to understand each other, to enter into

Hear this, O future generations, for the wisdom of Havelock Ellis rings across time, calling us to a truth of profound importance: "If men and women are to understand each other, to enter into each other's nature with mutual sympathy, and to become capable of genuine comradeship, the foundation must be laid in youth." These words, spoken with the clarity of a prophet, remind us that the bond between the male and female, that ancient dance of understanding, must begin in the earliest days of life. For it is not enough to simply coexist; we must understand one another deeply, with a mutual sympathy that allows us to share in each other’s joys, sorrows, and struggles.

In the ancient world, O children, the relationship between the sexes was both sacred and complex. The great philosophers of Greece, such as Plato, understood that the union between men and women was essential to the flourishing of society. Yet they also recognized that such a union could only be truly harmonious if it was founded on understanding and respect. The world was not built upon a foundation of mutual ignorance but upon the shared wisdom of both the masculine and the feminine. Ellis’ words echo this truth, for he teaches us that without understanding, without a foundation built in youth, the potential for true comradeship between men and women remains elusive.

Consider, O children, the story of Antigone, the heroine of Sophocles' ancient tragedy. She was a woman of strength and courage, willing to defy the laws of the state to honor the sacred bond of family. Yet, her struggle was not merely against the power of men, but against the misunderstanding between the sexes—the inability of those around her to truly understand the depths of her resolve. Had her society laid the proper foundations of mutual respect and sympathy, perhaps her fate would have been different. Her story is a tragic reminder that when mutual understanding is lacking, even the most noble of causes can become entangled in misunderstanding and conflict.

In more recent times, the fight for gender equality has shown us the consequences of this failure to build a foundation of understanding. For centuries, women were marginalized, their voices silenced, their worth questioned. But as the world slowly began to change, the movement for women’s rights called for a fundamental shift in how men and women understand one another. It is not enough for women to demand equality; men must also learn to listen, to empathize, and to step beyond the narrow confines of their own experience. And this change must begin in youth, when the seeds of understanding are planted, when the hearts of young men and women are open to the possibility of true comradeship.

The wisdom of Ellis reminds us that the foundation of understanding must be laid in youth because it is in these early years that the perceptions and prejudices of a lifetime are formed. The way in which boys and girls are raised—what they are taught to believe about the opposite sex, how they are encouraged to relate to each other—shapes the dynamics of society for generations. If we want a world where men and women genuinely understand one another, where comradeship flourishes, we must begin by instilling a deep sense of mutual respect, empathy, and equality in the hearts of young people. This is not an easy task, nor one that can be completed in a single generation, but it is a task that is worth the effort.

And so, O future generations, the lesson is clear: True comradeship between men and women is not a gift, nor is it a mere happenstance. It is the product of a life’s work, a foundation built in youth through understanding, respect, and empathy. If we wish to create a world where both men and women are able to work together in harmony, to share in each other’s struggles and triumphs, we must begin by teaching our young the value of mutual sympathy. Teach them not only to see each other as equals, but to walk in each other’s shoes, to understand not just the actions but the hearts of one another. Only then will we create a world where true comradeship can flourish, and the union of man and woman becomes a sacred partnership, one of understanding and mutual respect.

Let this wisdom guide you in your own life. As you interact with those around you—be they male or female—remember that understanding is the key to all relationships. Work to build that understanding in the hearts of the young, and you will leave a legacy of peace, harmony, and comradeship. Teach them not just to tolerate each other, but to truly understand and respect one another’s nature, for it is in this understanding that the bonds of society are forged, and in these bonds, the very future of the world rests.