Suffering is inherent to our world. Yet it must remain within reasonable limits and for reasonable causes — and what counts as “reasonable” is for us to decide.
: The author acknowledges that suffering is an inherent part of our world, woven into the fabric of existence through natural processes, limitations, and the very conditions that make life possible. However, he insists that suffering must not be unlimited or arbitrary. It should be kept within reasonable bounds and arise only for reasonable causes.
Crucially, what counts as “reasonable” is not dictated by nature or fate, but something humanity must consciously define. This places profound moral responsibility on us. We are not powerless victims of suffering, nor are we obligated to accept it without question. Through reason, ethics, and collective will, we can reduce unnecessary pain, alleviate avoidable hardship, and set boundaries on what suffering we tolerate in our societies and in our own lives.
The statement is both realistic and empowering. Suffering may be inevitable, but its scale and character are not. Defining and enforcing reasonable limits on suffering is one of the central tasks of a mature civilization.