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logist. This can be proved in several spheres of life, not least when he wishes
to show what he can do as a business man. There are Swedes, and not so few
either, who look wellnigh with contempt on everything that can be called bu«
siness. It does not appeal to his unselfish disposition and ideal nature. This
may be a fault or a merit in his character. It is certain that many a great deed
and noble work would never have been done in our country, if the »economical
sense» had been as strongly developed with us, as in some other nations. A lack
of flexibility in the spiritual life, a want of knowledge of its finer shades, is
apparent in the Swede, when he tries to characterise other people. He often draws
in black and white. In the spiritual life we lack the shades that come between.
The intellect of the Swede is alert in nearly every sphere of life. He is
blessed by Nature with great intelligence. He can easily understand and absorb
new ideas and even initiate new lines of thought. He is both receptive and
productive, perhaps at the latter, he is stronger than any one else.
It has been asserted, that one of the Swedes’ greatest faults lies in »their lack
of national temperament» (Sundbärg), but such an assertion certainly rests on very
weak ground. When Sweden’s existence has been threatened by external or in«
ternal enemies the Swedish people have given proof of possessing both a national
temper and the instinet of selfipreservation. »We have toiled, we have hungered,
we have frozen to protect the land, that has always been our own. During this
strife for Sweden and its welfare, the Swedes have grown«up to become a nation
of gentry. The nature of slaves has no place in our people. Neither with rich
or poor, high or low.» (E. Trygger).
Lastly, it may be sufficient to say, that Sweden is the oldest independent
kingdom in Europé. High«minded deeds hawe been accomplished by Swedes in
all times, to the advantage and glory of their own native land.
L.
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