After Completion — 四九

The Line

Interpretation

In times of cultural flowering there always come from time to time shocks that uncover an inner damage of society and then at first arouse general sensation. But since the general situation is favorable, such damages let themselves be patched over without great difficulty and concealed from the public. Then everything vanishes again from memory, and it looks as though pure peace prevailed. To the thoughtful person, however, such occurrences are earnest hints that they do not neglect. Only thereby can one avert the evil consequences.