They themselves were to blame for being unhappy, and they could be happy if they wished.

This seemed so clear and simple that Max was dumfounded in his amazement at human stupidity.

Humanity reminded him of a crowd huddled together in a spacious temple and panic-stricken at the cry of "Fire!" Instead of passing calmly through the wide doors and saving themselves, the maddened people, with the cruelty of frenzied beasts, cry and roar, crush one another and perish--not from the fire (for it is only imaginary), but from their own madness.

It is enough sometimes when one sensible, firm word is uttered to this crowd--the crowd calms down and imminent death is thus averted.

Let, then, a hundred calm, rational voices be raised to mankind, showing them where to escape and where the danger lies--and heaven will be established on earth, if not immediately, then at least within a very brief time.
Max began to utter his word of wisdom.