Amazing quotes today :-) Keep bringing on the existentialist :-)
Yes it is possible to resist internalising the very traits we seek to destroy. BUT, I think we come right up to the line sometimes. As the saying goes, if you get down into the mud, you will get muddy....but mud washes off!!! We also have the quote "to fight fire with fire", "an eye for an eye". These quotes seem to suggest that to fight egregious behaviour, we perhaps have to engage in something close to that behaviour, especially if those enacting the egregious behaviour do not respond to reason. Where someone does not respond to reason, what are we left with? Just let them spread their filth? I don't think so, but I also don't think it needs to make us a monster in the process, we must be sure to remain moral and ethical.
"As of 8 April 2025, over 52,000 people – 50,810 Palestinian and 1,706 Israeli – have been reported killed in the Gaza war according to the official figures ..." (Wikipedia). Do the maths and that makes almost 30 Palestinians dead for every one Israeli - 30 Palestinian 'eyes' for every one Israeli 'eye'.
Matt 5:38-40 -- "38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well."
I have no idea how this biblical advice could be applied in a situation confronting evil - taking, for example, the current Israeli extermination of Palestinians in Gaza - all while many of the world's leaders stand quietly by and turn the other way - whilst America supplies a disgusting range of bombs to mangle human Palestinian bodies.
Amazing quotes today :-) Keep bringing on the existentialist :-)
Yes it is possible to resist internalising the very traits we seek to destroy. BUT, I think we come right up to the line sometimes. As the saying goes, if you get down into the mud, you will get muddy....but mud washes off!!! We also have the quote "to fight fire with fire", "an eye for an eye". These quotes seem to suggest that to fight egregious behaviour, we perhaps have to engage in something close to that behaviour, especially if those enacting the egregious behaviour do not respond to reason. Where someone does not respond to reason, what are we left with? Just let them spread their filth? I don't think so, but I also don't think it needs to make us a monster in the process, we must be sure to remain moral and ethical.
"As of 8 April 2025, over 52,000 people – 50,810 Palestinian and 1,706 Israeli – have been reported killed in the Gaza war according to the official figures ..." (Wikipedia). Do the maths and that makes almost 30 Palestinians dead for every one Israeli - 30 Palestinian 'eyes' for every one Israeli 'eye'.
Matt 5:38-40 -- "38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well."
I have no idea how this biblical advice could be applied in a situation confronting evil - taking, for example, the current Israeli extermination of Palestinians in Gaza - all while many of the world's leaders stand quietly by and turn the other way - whilst America supplies a disgusting range of bombs to mangle human Palestinian bodies.
It's nice to see the "abyss" quote in its proper construction.
He who climbeth on the highest mountains, laugheth at all tragic plays and tragic realities.
Glattes Eis ein Paradeis für den der gut zu tanzen weiss. . so he sang to us.