Ideals, Study, and Love Mailbox for Young People (I); A "Bad Check" and Cash

Abstract

For many years we have been constantly educated in this way: A young person should foster the lofty ideal of communism; one should not be shortsighted or excessively concerned with one's immediate interests. However, it is the feeling of myself and some other young friends that communism, as good as it is, can hardly be realized in any forseeable future — neither in our lifetime nor in the next generation. Such being the case, isn't communism nothing but a bad check that cannot be cashed? Conversely, one's immediate personal enjoyment is cash on hand. Only a fool would not opt for enjoyment when it is available. This idea, I know, is not quite right. But it seems to me that one actually benefits from it. I would like to hear from you on how one should treat a problem like this. I hope you can discuss it in your letter of reply.