When I am down and out, I often think of Ludwig von Mises - what a brilliant man, and how neglected, throughout such a long and productive life. I get comfort from his motto, "Tu ne cede malis," which is from Virgil, and which means, "Do not give in to Evil, but proceed ever more boldly against it." Ludwig von Mises said that the Science of Human Action is all about "means and ends." Now, this choosing of means towards ends is firstly a Moral Question - and Adam Smith was a Professor of Moral Philosophy, for there were no "economists" then. Adam Smith therefore encouraged our "natural propensity to truck, barter and exchange," and proposed a System of Natural Liberty as a Moral Solution to Life. But Socialists have done otherwise, and have encouraged Aggression - which even Sigmund Freud told us to "sublimate" - through their System of Legal Plunder.
Now, Ludwig von Mises said that, whereas the choice between means and ends is directed at short term goals, there are what he called "ultimate ends," and Mises said that the choice of ultimate ends are "a matter of the soul and the will."
When I am down and out, I often think of what were the ultimate ends of Ludwig von Mises. If he chose to steadfastly battle Evil throughout his long life, with his motto from Virgil quoted above guiding him, then, perhaps, his Ultimate End was to go to Heaven after his death. Maybe. For this is "metaphysics," and Ludwig von Mises has never written a word about metaphysics, except to say that this too represents man's eternal search for knowledge.
In Hullsman's biography of Ludwig von Mises, there is mention of a deeply pessimistic conversation he had with George Reisman, some days before his death. And, during this conversation, Mises told Reisman, "Perhaps they will discover my writings a thousand years later like the Dead Sea Scrolls."
Now, the Dead Sea Scrolls are Holy Books.
So Mises' works are all Holy Books, too.
So, Mises must be right now seated in Paradise, "in the Company of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, who was an Honest Trader himself."
Yesterday, Sunday, was a very bad day for me - although things did improve after sundown, thanks to the Mango Man, Ramalingam, who advanced me another loan.
Yesterday began with a Big Hangover - a Huge Headache. Then, a young fellow named Kumar stopped by, and we entered into conversation. Turned out he was a businessman - selling newspapers, and having them home-delivered through his employees. And so, I gave him a copy of my The Essential Frederic Bastiat - and told him where he could obtain thousands of copies for free, or for cheap, and thereafter sell them for a profit. He accepted my gift. All I asked for in exchange was two bottles of Carlsberg - to get rid of the hangover. But Kumar never showed up again.
The sweet lady who gave me some packets of cigarettes on credit the previous night did show up - and she gave me some more packets, which helped me clear my head somewhat. I requested her to get me some beer - but later, I found out, to my shock and horror, that she was being harassed by The Police because she was befriending me.
This morning, I awoke to find that all my cigarettes were stolen.
I awoke to find that the Tea Shop was closed.
Luckily, I found another tea shop - and the good owner of this shop gave me some cups on credit, and some cigarettes, too. And a cup for the sadhu as well.
We got talking about Heaven and Hell - which, in my opinion, are ULTIMATE ENDS.
I asked him, and the people around, the question:
Will Policemen go to Heaven?
Or will Policemen go to Hell?
Except for Beant Singh and Satwant Singh, of course, whose garlanded photos are to be seen in the Sikh Heroes Museum in the Golden Temple at Amritsar.
What are Ultimate Ends?
Ludwig von Mises said they are "a matter of the Soul and the Will."
I would like my good reader to ponder over this issue today.
Matters of the Soul and the Will are NOT "short-term goals" - like your next promotion, your next car, or silly things like that.
The Ultimate End is either Heaven of Hell.
And I do draw a lot of Strength and Comfort from the Company of my good friend, the saintly sadhu, who sleeps next to me, in the afternoon as well as the night. He has no possessions. When he awakes, he spends considerable time rubbing vibhuti all over himself. Sometimes, he sits upright, looking squarely at the passers-by, and asks for alms - but most people pass him by. He reminds me much of that Leonard Cohen song, "Oh Please Don't Pass Me By." But most people pass him by.
Someone came and gave him a packet of fried rice yesterday - but he did not touch it. He just went to sleep. And I went to sleep, too. With my Big Headache. I am sorry - but I simply could not do my Daily Work yesterday, which was a Sunday, and so I hope I will be excused.
I awoke in the early evening. I smoked some cigarettes. Cleared my head a bit. Then the sadhu awoke, too. I went to the Tea Shop and drank some teas - and brought back a cup for the sadhu. He drank it - and then proceeded begging, for now there were many cars about, and lots of rich people had gathered there to enjoy an evening on Beach Road.
An hour or so later, the sadhu returned - with two little bottles of alcohol, one for me. Such a kind soul. We drank the stuff - and it was horrible. I told him about Goan feni - and I do think Goan feni is a Great Drink for Poor People.
Anyway, the rest of the evening passed off quite well, thanks to the loan I received from the Mango Man, Ramalingam. The sadhu and I had some good Tuborg beers, and some Royal Stag whiskey. And some cigarettes, too.
We enjoyed the evening - during which I sang him some Bob Marley, like:
Why can't we roam this Open Country,
Why can't we be what we want to be,
We wan't to be Free.
Hey Mr. Cop,
Got no Birth Cerfiticate on me now.
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