Published August 11, 2011 in the Pickens Progress
I’ve always coveted wisdom and yet it eludes me. Seeking to be a wise guy, I emerge a wiseguy.
But you play the hand you’re dealt. Indulge me by considering these random thoughts. Frankly, I can’t get rid of them:
I believe in both absolute truth and absolute freedom of thought. The two are not antithetical.
•••••
A stronger force than law is man’s inclination to obey the law. If compliance weren’t widespread and voluntary, there wouldn’t be enough cops. It is man’s basic decency that keeps us safe in our beds.•••••
We have tested the limits of power. Let us also test the limits of civility. For example, after defeating Germany and Japan in World War II, the United States began immediately to restore them to the family of nations.•••••
If there’s nothing you can do, do nothing. When it’s done right, nothing can be an active choice.•••••
Sanctimony is the worst thing you can do to faith. It is worse than heresy, whose practioners have at leave given the matter some thought.•••••
Most people argue to win; the wise argue to learn.•••••
Inspirit anyone you can, anytime it’s possible.•••••
Reason dictates that reason be suspended when it comes to faith. You believe viscerally or not at all.•••••
Virtue is more fascinating then evil. Virtue entails greater risk and is more exciting. And, generally speaking, you stay out of jail.•••••
“Kilroy was here.” Somehow this bit of 1940s G.I. doggerel makes sense. Kilroy was omnipresent and thus a spiritual force.
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Either nobody understands me, or too many people do. In other words, people who say nobody understands me are simply being indulgent. Try understanding others; it’s the key to being understood.•••••
It is important to learn the lessons of history. But someone has to make history, which means going where the lessons don’t apply.•••••
I’m in the process of field testing these ideas. It’s one definition of life: field testing potential forms of wisdom.
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