There is a destiny which makes us brothers; none goes his way

In the grand weaving of the universe, where the threads of fate intertwine and stretch across the span of time, there is a powerful truth that transcends individual existence: “There is a destiny which makes us brothers; none goes his way alone. All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own.” These words, spoken by the wise Edwin Markham, speak to the deep and inextricable connection that binds all of humanity. They remind us that our paths are not solitary; we are all part of a greater tapestry, woven together by the actions, kindness, and intentions we send forth into the world.

Markham’s message is one of unity and interdependence—that no person is an island, and that our fates are intertwined with those of others. The destiny he speaks of is not a random series of events, but a guiding force that shapes our lives through the relationships we form, the good we do, and the ways in which we lift others. It is the unseen law that what we give to others—be it love, help, or compassion—returns to us, often in ways we cannot predict. This truth is not merely a moral lesson, but a divine reality, one that has shaped the course of human history and the rise of civilizations.

Consider the ancient Greeks, whose very concept of community was built upon the notion that the welfare of one was tied to the welfare of all. The hero Odysseus, though a man of great personal strength, understood that his journey home could not be completed alone. He needed the support of his companions, the favor of the gods, and the wisdom of others. It was not just his strength, but the bonds he formed with others that led him to success. His story, like all the great heroes of mythology, teaches us that no one can walk their path without the help of others, and that what we send forth—whether it be strength, kindness, or wisdom—will eventually come back to us, either as a blessing or a burden.

The life of Mahatma Gandhi offers a modern testament to the power of interconnectedness. His commitment to nonviolence and compassion transformed an entire nation, but Gandhi did not simply change India—his efforts resonated across the world. The love and selflessness he sent into the lives of others returned to him in the form of global admiration and lasting influence. However, his journey was not without its sacrifices; his willingness to endure hardship for the good of others led to the freedom of millions, and the truth he embodied became a guiding light for generations to come. Gandhi’s life is proof that the actions we take towards others—however small or great—shape our destiny and are never truly lost.

Markham’s quote also speaks to the idea that no person stands alone in the face of challenges. Socrates, the great philosopher of Athens, spent his life teaching others, seeking to awaken their minds to the deeper truths of existence. Despite being a man of profound intellect, he too relied on others to question, to challenge, and to push him toward greater wisdom. His life reminds us that even the wisest among us cannot walk the path alone. His teachings—sent out into the world—continue to return to us, thousands of years later, shaping our thoughts and guiding our actions.

The lesson here is profound: the destiny of each is not isolated, but part of a grand and interconnected whole. We are bound by invisible threads to the lives of others, and every act we perform, whether in kindness, cruelty, or indifference, reverberates through the world and returns to us. It is a reminder that the quality of our lives is determined by the quality of our relationships and our interactions with those around us. The power of human connection, of brotherhood, is not a fleeting thing but a lasting, eternal truth. To serve others, to give to others, is to serve and give to oneself.

Therefore, let us take action in our own lives: seek to uplift those around us, to offer our strength and wisdom freely, knowing that what we send into the world will return to us. We should not be driven by selfish ambition but by the knowledge that true greatness comes not from isolating oneself, but from lifting others in the process. Embrace the idea of shared destiny, knowing that our fate is woven together with those we help, with those we love, and with those we guide. In this way, we shall walk in unity toward a future of mutual respect and understanding, and we shall find that the good we give out will indeed come back, often multiplied, into our own lives.