A Moral Dilemma

Moth: “I gave you my life.”

Flame: “I allowed you to kiss me.” ~ Hazrat Inayat Khan

There is always going to be suffering. It’s how you look at your suffering, how you deal with it, that will define you.

~ Mark Twain

We might sit in the privileged sector of the world looking aghast at the human cost of the pandemic. Is our life worth more than a single one of theirs? How can we and how do we deal with the harrowing realities of human tragedy unfolding across India?

Originally posted by backtothedrawingboardproductions.com

Blogger AussieEssays made the point that “many people today only imagine suffering as they have never truly experienced it and instead borrow the suffering of others to validate themselves. They punch holes in the air and scream in the wind as they follow a cause that simply doesn’t impact on their comfortable lives as they tell themselves that they have made a difference when they in reality have done little of any importance.“

Does feeling temporarily shocked and appalled help anyone?

Does paying lip service assist us to process a tragedy on the scale of India’s Covid 19 pandemic and allow us to continue with our daily tasks at work; eating our cheese sandwich and speaking with friends or other mundane activities, so that our conscience runs clear and we might continue functioning productively?

John Fowles has some sobering words for us:

“The human race is unimportant. It is the self that must not be betrayed.”

“I suppose one could say that Hitler didn’t betray his self.”

“You are right. He did not. But millions of Germans did betray their selves. That was the tragedy. Not that one man had the courage to be evil, but that millions had not the courage to be good.”

― John Fowles, The Magus

In the face of tragic circumstances be prepared to:

• Allow feelings of grief and shock
• Examine what can be learnt from the situation to better existence for all
• Think about what each one of us can do with that information
• Be proactive and follow through as your situation allows (ie. don’t be an armchair whiner)

I think Confucious has the final word:

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps”~Confucius

Sunday Sayings – Change

You cannot step in the same river twice

– Middle Eastern Proverb

Can ‘change’ be a cyclic force, or is it more linear, with a beginning and an end?

Weekly Quotes

“When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.”

-Ben Franklin

Confucius

“The superior man governs men, according to their nature, with what is proper to them,

and as soon as they change what is wrong,

he stops.”

― Confucius

What is your take on these sayings?

Do you agree with them?

Do you think change is always cyclic or linear, with a beginning and end?

Was Ben Franklin right? Or blind to contentment?

Everyone’s opinion is important. What is yours?

Join in the discussion by leaving a comment.

Background to Sunday Sayings

Several years ago, I created ‘Proverbial Friday’ on my blog. This morphed into Sunday Sayings.

I became fascinated with traditional proverbs and sayings, their metaphorical layers and the many different interpretations found within just a few, succinct words. I marveled at their ability to transcend race, religion, opinions and age.

Mostly anonymous, proverbs are a portal through time to generations past and echo a diverse range of cultures.

Proverbial Friday – Global Wisdom

 

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned. Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.

Each Friday, I post a Proverb or Saying and a Quote that I find thought-provoking. 

I hope you will too.

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
― Confucius

 

Have you ever been guilty of over-thinking a problem? It is something I think we are all capable of, and the concept of which intrigues me. Why do we opt for the more difficult scenario when a simple solution might rid ourselves of worry? Confucius was surely someone that was solution-focused.

The flip side of complicated situations might however, be seen to be over-clinical or lacking in empathy. It is then we must find a balance between our emotions and that of clear-thinking practicality. The endless battle between our heart and head. Is this one of the underlying messages in the following proverb?

 

“Eyes that do not cry, do not see.” ~ Unknown

 

Something to Ponder About this Friday

Proverbial Friday – Global Wisdom

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned. Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.

Each Friday, I post a Proverb or Saying and a Quote that I find thought-provoking. 

I hope you will too.

 

 

“Even a small star shines in the darkness.”

~ Unknown

 

 

A star in the darkness

Confucius is credited with writing and editing some influential Chinese classical literature. His principles had a basis in common Chinese tradition and beliefs. As a man, Confucius championed strong family loyalty, ancestor worship, respect of elders by their children and of husbands by their wives and in addition, family as a basis for ideal government.

 

 

His most famous adage for a good life is  “Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself”, the so-called Golden Rule.

 

The Golden Rule is well know throughout the world. Lesser known is the following Confucian quote:

 

 

“Attack the evil that is within yourself,

rather than attacking the evil that is in others.”

― Confucius

 

 

Do you sometimes catch yourself feeling envious, or jealous in your dealing with others? I have this week been pondering the origin of these thoughts. The world now has an overload of information at its fingertips. Information about what we might aspire to, what we might desire and seek to obtain.

 

 

We can never really possess anything, on a permanent basis. In truth, we have but a loan. A short term or long term loan. So why the feeling to have what another has been fortunate to possess on their short term loan?

Where does it stem from?

Join the discussion by leaving a comment below.

 

 

Proverbial Thursday – now posting on Fridays at Something to Ponder About

Proverbial Thurs/ Friday – Quotes

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned. Quotes, like proverbs, make me think more deeply about something. Each Thursday, I post  words that I find thought-provoking. I hope you will find them intriguing too.

This week, Proverbial Thursday is a little different, as I will post two quotes that are my response to the tragedy in Belgium –

“When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.”
― Confucius

“The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin.”
― Confucius

What is the message Confucius is trying to convey about a man’s character? Is this the portrait of a “superior” man?

Does a characteristic you might revile, or dislike, in your neighbour help you to see your own faults?

Something to Ponder About

 

Quotes Challenge – Week 2

After being nominated, I created a photo logo, seen above, for this challenge and anyone is welcome to use it, if they wish.

I have varied the challenge guidelines slightly, as I will post three quotes on each post – one post over each of three weeks. Please also note that I dislike the term, “Rules,” and so have also customized this aspect of the challenge. Thanks to Millie for the opportunity to showcase some fabulous quotes that I find inspirational.

 

Confucius is a fascinating character whose quotes have featured strongly for this challenge:

 

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
― Confucius

and more…..

“Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow his own rice and you will save his life.”
― Confucius

Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets – Leonardo Da Vinci

 

As this is the second week of the challenge, I have two nominees and both are in New Zealand:

IScrap2

Ineke has some excellent photography and fiction on her blog

DecocraftsDigicrafts

Pop on over to see Raewyn’s excellent photography.

 

Quotes Challenge Rules – Guidelines

 

The rules  guidelines are simple:

• Post three different quotes on consecutive days/weeks. They can be from any source, or your own.  All three quotes can be of a similar theme or can all be completely different/unconnected.

 

• I am going to post three quotes on each of the three posts, one post per week, but that is my variation on this challenge.

 

• Nominate 3 people for the challenge.  [ In doing this, I just wish to highlight their blog and place no pressure nor expectation that they need to accept or pass on the challenge. N.B. My variation is that I am going to incrementally nominate bloggers for this challenge, but do not feel bound to follow my example.]

Quotes Challenge – Week 1

Quotes give us profound words to Ponder About

Quotes Challenge – DAY 1

Millie Thom knows I adore quotes almost as much as proverbs, so she has nominated me to post on the Quotes Challenge. As the day after tomorrow is the Last Proverbial Thursday post for the year, I will post the Challenge across a few weeks, instead of days.

I have created a photo logo for this challenge that you may or may not wish to use, and I will also vary the guidelines slightly, as I have many quotes worthy I feel of sharing and so will post three quotes on each post. Please also note that I dislike the term, “Rules,” and so have also customized this aspect of the challenge.

Thanks to Millie for the opportunity to showcase some fabulous quotes that I find particularly inspirational.

Confucius is a fascinating character whose quotes will feature strongly for this challenge:

“Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.”
― Confucius

A fellow blogger Leya posted a profound comment, on one of my posts, that really struck a chord with me. She has kindly given me permission to post it again here:-

“Amateurs bring out qualities that professionals have forgotten…:-D

And a poignant quote about life to finish for today:

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” -Charles Swindoll

Quotes Challenge Rules – Guidelines

 

The rules  guidelines are simple:

1. Post three different quotes on consecutive days/weeks. They can be from any source, or your own.  All three quotes can be of a similar theme or can all be completely different/unconnected. I am going to post three quotes on each of the three days, but that is my variation on this challenge.
2. Nominate 3 people for the challenge.  [ In doing this, I just wish to highlight their blog and place no pressure nor expectation that they need to accept or pass on the challenge.]

So the first nominee is:

Sally at Lens and Pens by Sally

Sally has a mobile photography blog but also incorporates some wonderful quotes and inspirational words in her photographic posts. In addition, she has a page on writings from past years.

If you haven’t yet discovered Sally, and her photographic/poetic skill, her blog is so worthy of a visit, that I know it will give you Something to Ponder About.

 

Proverbial Thursday – Global Proverbs and Sayings

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned.  Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.

Each Thursday, I post a Proverb or Saying and a Quote that I find thought-provoking. 

I hope you will too.

This week the proverb comes from Denmark:

“The horse one cannot have, always has a fault.”

 

Confucius (551–479 BC) was a teacher, editor, politician, and Chinese philosopher. Confucius teachings deeply influenced East Asian life and thought.The philosophy of Confucius emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity  and this week, I am delighted to continue the series of Confucian sayings:

“I am not bothered by the fact that I am unknown. I am bothered when I do not know others.”― Confucius

 

Something Proverbial to Think About

 

 

Proverbial Thursday – World Sayings

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned.

Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something and this week it comes from Iceland a place of immense beauty and natural forces.

Iceland

 

 You do not really know your friends from your enemies until the ice breaks – Icelandic Proverb

and a really wonderful inclusive quote from Confucius………

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”
― Confucius

 

Proverbial Thursday – Something to Ponder About

Proverbial Thursday – Global Proverbs from Around the World

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned.

Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.

This week marks the beginning of a series of Swedish proverbs/quotes and the Confucian sayings continue:

The longest journey is the journey inward

–Dag Hammarsköld

 

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

― Confucius

 

Something to Ponder About

Proverbial Thursday – Global Proverbs

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned. Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.

“Eplet faller ikke langt fra stammen”

‘The apple does not fall far from the tree’

– Norwegian Proverb

The Confucian series continues this week:

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling,

but in rising every time we fall” ― Confucius

Something Proverbial to Ponder About

Proverbial Thursday – Global Proverbs

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures.They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned.

Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.

‘You are part of something bigger than yourself’

–  Afghani proverb 

Khaled Hosseini   

In Afghanistan, you don’t understand yourself solely as an individual. You understand yourself as a son, a brother, a cousin to somebody, an uncle to somebody. [Source: http://stevemccurry.wordpress.com ]

My series on Confucian sayings continues:

“To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.”
― Confucius

Something Proverbial to Ponder About

Proverbial Thursday – Global Proverbs

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct, in communicating messages, to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned. Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.

“Liten tue kan velte stort lass”–Little strokes fell great oaks.

Norwegian proverb

“It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.”
― Confucius

 

Something proverbial to ponder about