Did you ever wonder about buddies?

[rob62521]

Re: Did you ever wonder about buddies?

Folks just aren't accustomed to other people being silent and moving quietly.

Isn't that the truth! Silence is terrifying to a lot of people.

I was wondering (before your explanation) if you were referring to: "Walk softly and carry a big stick." Guess I'm showing my age!

[Mathew Green]

Re: Did you ever wonder about buddies?

I was wondering (before your explanation) if you were referring to: "Walk softly and carry a big stick." Guess I'm showing my age!

Well, Kwai Chang Caine certainly did (metaphorically) "Walk softly and carry a big stick," even though his preference was always to avoid or deflect rather than confront. And I must admit that in my 20's I certainly wished I could kick a** like him, because it would have made me feel a lot more secure, even if I never had to use it.

Now, in my 50's, I realize what a double-edged sword that kind of fighting ability is. It's easy, though frustrating, to turn away from a fight you know you can't win. It's a lot harder to ignore an insult or injury when you know you could easily flatten the jerk. So, knowing myself as I do, it's probably just as well that my abilities run more to Henry Thoreau instead of Bruce Lee.

[rob62521]

Re: Did you ever wonder about buddies?

Now, in my 50's, I realize what a double-edged sword that kind of fighting ability is. It's easy, though frustrating, to turn away from a fight you know you can't win. It's a lot harder to ignore an insult or injury when you know you could easily flatten the jerk. So, knowing myself as I do, it's probably just as well that my abilities run more to Henry Thoreau instead of Bruce Lee.

And it's good that you are wise enough to know what's best!

[Mathew Green]

Re: Did you ever wonder about buddies?

And it's good that you are wise enough to know what's best!

From verse thirty three of the Tao Te Ching:

Knowing others is wisdom;
Knowing yourself is enlightenment.

Mastering others requires force;
Mastering the self needs strength.

From verse thirty one:

Weapons are instruments of fear;
they are not a wise man's tools.
He uses them only when he has no choice.
Peace and quiet are dear to his heart,
And victory no cause for rejoicing.
If you rejoice in victory, then you delight in killing;
If you delight in killing, you cannot fulfill yourself.

and Carl Jung in speaking about the universal "hero's journey" myth said something like this:

In chapter one, he sets out to conquer the universe.
In chapter two, he learns that the universe is not about to be conquered by the likes of him.
In chapter three.... [etc.]
In the final chapter he comes to realize that now, at last, he has conquered himself.

I think I'm still stuck somewhere around 'chapter six'.