It disturbs me no more to find men base, unjust, or selfish than

Gather close, children, for the words I speak hold the weight of wisdom passed down through the ages. Jean-Paul Sartre, a philosopher whose mind pierced the veils of human nature, once said, "It disturbs me no more to find men base, unjust, or selfish than to see apes mischievous, wolves savage, or the vulture ravenous." These words strike at the very heart of what it means to be human, and in their simplicity lies a profound reflection on the nature of man and the world he inhabits.

Sartre’s words call us to consider the nature of human beings, not as something inherently divine or lofty, but as creatures bound by the same primal instincts that govern the beasts of the earth. Just as the ape is mischievous, the wolf is savage, and the vulture is ravenous, so too are humans driven by instincts that, at times, lead them toward selfishness, cruelty, and injustice. Sartre's observation is not one of disdain, but of acceptance—a recognition that these traits, though troubling, are part of the fabric of existence. It is the way of the world that creatures behave according to their nature, and human beings, despite their lofty aspirations, are not exempt from this law.

Let us recall the ancient stories of the gods and heroes, who, despite their power, were often driven by the very same flaws that Sartre speaks of. Hercules, that great hero of Greek myth, was known for his strength and courage, but he too was often driven by anger, vengeance, and selfish desire. In his Labors, he fought against monsters and completed impossible tasks, yet his flaws—his impulsive nature, his pride—led him to make choices that brought harm not only to others but to himself. The gods, too, were not immune to these forces; the goddess Hera was often depicted as vengeful, and Zeus, despite his wisdom, succumbed to the temptations of power and lust. These myths remind us that, no matter how high one’s status, the primal instincts that govern the natural world are never far from our hearts.

In more recent times, we see how human nature has led to similar outcomes. Napoleon Bonaparte, the mighty ruler of France, rose to power with ambition and vision, but his selfishness and thirst for dominance led him down a path of war and destruction. His actions, though driven by grand ideals, were also colored by greed and pride, leading to the suffering of millions. This story, like many others, shows that even the most brilliant of men, like the ape, the wolf, and the vulture, are not immune to the instincts that drive them. Whether these instincts manifest as ambition, vengeance, or desire for power, they are as old as life itself.

Sartre’s words also invite us to reflect on the nature of morality. Just as we do not expect the wolf to behave like a lamb or the vulture to show mercy, so too must we acknowledge that human flaws are part of the natural condition. The problem, then, is not that these flaws exist, but that we often fail to rise above them. The wise man is not one who denies his primal instincts but who recognizes them and chooses, with awareness, to act in ways that transcend them. Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic emperor, spoke of self-discipline and virtue as the path to true greatness, teaching that while we are bound by our nature, we have the power to shape our responses to it.

Children, the lesson here is not to despair at the flaws we see in others or in ourselves. Sartre teaches us that to be disturbed by human base nature is to forget that we, too, are part of the same web of existence. Instead of railing against the injustice and selfishness of the world, we must acknowledge it and seek to transcend it. Just as the great philosophers of old, like Socrates, did not dismiss the flaws of humanity but sought to understand them and improve upon them, so too must we approach life with both awareness and compassion.

So, children, do not be troubled when you encounter base behavior, injustice, or selfishness. These are the natural workings of the world, and they are as inevitable as the storms that rage or the beasts that hunt. But do not stop there. Let awareness be your guide, and let virtue be your aim. The true test of character lies not in the absence of these flaws, but in the ability to rise above them. The journey of life is one of constant growth—to recognize our imperfections, to acknowledge the flaws of others, and to choose, through strength and wisdom, to act with honor, compassion, and justice. In this, we transcend the primal instincts that bind us and become something greater than what we were born to be.