from Verse Fifty-SevenSanity and perversity hurt each other, desire and essence harm each other. They cannot stand together; when one rises, the other passes away. Therefore sages reduce desire to follow essence.~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~
Abraham Lincoln stated much the same thing when he said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
For so many of us, we seem to be in a constant state of war with ourselves. Different aspects of our being pull us in different directions simultaneously. It's like an internal tug of war: the selfish versus the selfless and, too often, the former wins.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
For so many of us, we seem to be in a constant state of war with ourselves. Different aspects of our being pull us in different directions simultaneously. It's like an internal tug of war: the selfish versus the selfless and, too often, the former wins.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
I like myself.
ReplyDeleteI don't like myself.
I decided, way back, to be what I admired. To become admirable in my own eyes. To do nothing, and be nothing, that I did not like.
Wish not to be like the master.
Be the master.
Master Yoda said much the same thing. Don't try; do.
ReplyDelete