SPEECH AT THE BANQUET IN STOCKHOLM, SEPTEMBER 24th, 1887

Ladies and Gentlemen:

MY most sincere thanks for all the friendliness and good understanding which I have also at this time received proofs of here. A great happiness is experienced in the feeling of possessing a greater country. But to reply fully to all the words of praise of which I have just been made the object lies beyond and above my power. There is, however, one particular point in these utterances which I should like to consider for a moment. It has been said that I, and that in a prominent manner, have contributed to create a new era in these countries. I, on the contrary, believe that the time in which we now live might with quite as good reason be characterized as a conclusion, and that from it something new is about to be born. For I believe that the teaching of natural science about evolution has validity also as regards the mental factors of life. I believe that the time will soon come when political and social conceptions will cease to exist in their present forms, and that from their coalescence there will come a unity, which, for the present, will contain the conditions for the happiness of mankind. I believe that poetry, philosophy and religion will be merged in a new category and become a new vital force, of which we who live now can have no clear conception.

It has been said of me on different occasions that I am a pessimist. And so I am in so far as I do not believe in the everlastingness of human ideals. But I am also an optimist in so far as firmly believe in the capacity for procreation and development of ideals. Especially, to be more definite, am I of the opinion that the ideals of our time, while disintegrating, are tending towards what in my play “Emperor and Galilean” I indicated by the name of “the third kingdom.” Therefore, permit me to drink a toast to that which is in the process of formation, — to that which is to come. It is on a Saturday night that we are assembled here. Following it comes the day of rest, the festival day, the holy day — whichever you wish to call it. For my part I shall be content with the result of my life’s work, if this work can serve to prepare the spirit for the morrow. But above all I shall be content if it shall serve to strengthen the mind in that week of work which will of a necessity follow.

I thank you for your attention.