Date: 10 June 1931
Location: London
Speaker: Aga Khan III
Source: Speeches of Aga Khan III – K K Aziz
Full Text
The objective of life – freedom for the individual – optimism for the future of mankind – the value of sports.
He was optimistic about the future of the race provided the individual had an opportunity for free development. If the world in the future were to avoid past shortcomings and a repetition of the pain and sorrow through which the race had been evolved, it was essential that the mind as well as the body of the individual should be free to act according to its own independence, its inner conviction and nature for the welfare of all other individuals. He was optimistic as to the future of mankind, and would place no limit to human development, provided the elements out of which they had developed to the present stage were not crushed.
Alluding to a reference by Sir Ernest Benn to his attachment to “the finest of British sports,” the Aga Khan added that he was convinced that the day when the Englishman became less of a sportsman than now would set a great barrier to the development of the higher and better world and the greater and more happy humanity of which he had spoken. Sport could be pursued without interference with the happiness of others, and he thought there was no other single propensity which more pro moted, not only our physical and mental well-being, but also our sense of responsibility towards others.
Source: The Times, London, 11 June 1931.
This was a philosophic address ( The Times’ description) entitled “The One and the Many” delivered at the monthly luncheon of the Individualist Bookshop held at the Hotel Victoria, Northumberland Avenue, London.