And then should we gain by abolishing the struggle for the daily bread of ourselves and those dependent on us? It is very doubtful. [[57]]We should be getting rid of this world’s two great joys, work and the family, the only joys that give any value to life; we should be stifling exactly that which makes our greatness. And the result of this bestial sacrilege would be a community of human caterpillars. Thus does the Pine Processionary teach us by his example. [[58]]
[1] In the course of an essay on aberration of instinct in a certain Mason-wasp which is not yet translated into English.—Translator’s Note. [↑]
[2] A predatory insect, akin to the Locusts and Crickets, which, when at rest, adopts an attitude resembling that of prayer. Cf. Social Life in the Insect World: chaps. v to vii.—Translator’s Note. [↑]
[3] The order of insects embracing the Bees, Wasps, Ants, Saw-flies, Ichneumon-flies, etc.—Translator’s Note. [↑]
[4] Cf. The Mason-bees, by J. Henri Fabre, translated by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos, passim.—Translator’s Note. [↑]
[5] White Ants.—Translator’s Note. [↑]