The cover story of Time magazine of December 23, 1991, on the collapse of the Soviet Union, includes an interview of Gorbachev, the former President of the USSR, titled, 'A Man without a Country.'

Readers' impressions were published in letter form in the issue of January 13, 1992. One reader writes:

The epitaph of history of Mikhail Gorbachev may some day read: Here lies a good man and an idealist who abolished repression and tyranny in the Soviet Union, not comprehending that they were the glue holding that empire together. (George Podzamsky, Verwyn, Illinois).

This is a very apt commentary. It teaches us that the result of any step we take is not necessarily in accord with our wishes, but is more often dependent upon external factors.

Leaving aside the nature of the step taken by Gorbachev, there is an important lesson in its consequences for both individuals and nations. Whenever anyone is on the point of taking a practical step, he must fully realise that the step itself lies within his power and, as such, is subordinate to his wishes. But the results of that step are not, because the moment it is taken, external factors come into play. Only if all of those factors are favourable can the result of the step be as one desires. This is a law as immutable as all other laws of nature. Not even a superpower can alter it.