7 & 7: Powerful vs. Powerless

REFLECTION:

What could be worse than knowing what’s right and not having the power to accomplish it? How about having the power and trampling others without thought or purpose? Power is expressed by those with values, weak and strong alike. Power is as soon the companion of rudeness as goodness. Actions do discriminate while words may not. Those on the side of the good without the might, must bide their time, relying on the strength of their ideas to rise as the weakness of their opponents’ ideas fall. When that time arises, the accumulated passion and strength of purpose exposes the full power and allows the idea and it’s creator to prevail against opponents whose only purpose is their own self-importance. If not successful at first start, the ability to avert destruction today will make them stronger tomorrow. Tyrants are both evil and powerful. When they die, power is relinquished. Martyrs are both good and powerful. When they die, their power is enhanced.

MUSES:

“This is the worst pain a man can suffer: to have insight into much and power over nothing.”

Herodotus

“When elephants fight it is the grass that suffers.”

African saying

“Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength.”

Eric Hoffer

“If we are strong, our strength will speak for itself. If we are weak, words will be no help.”

John F. Kennedy

“If you can’t bite down, don’t show your teeth.”

Old saying

“A good indignation brings out all one’s powers.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be important.”
T. S. Eliot

“What does not destroy me makes me strong.”
Friedrich Nietzsche

“The tyrant dies and his rule is over; the martyr dies and his rule begins.”
Soren Kierkegaard