One of the more beneficial events that has occurred as a result of being here at The Ranch, largely alone for three weeks, is that one has a great deal of silence. It does make you ponder about speaking.
Yes, speaking in any time or venue. But in these times more than ever, saying anything at all.
A sword, it has been said, is most dangerous when it is in its sheath, because everyone else does not know what the next action is. Draw the sword, and one has committed, not only to a course of action but to a limited series of attacks and cuts. Show me how how have your sword held - high, middle, low, behind you, to the right or left - and I will have a fair idea of the number and kind of attacks you can make.
Words are like this.
Not merely in the dredging up of old comments (although that is a real fear now), not merely in the off comment that spills unthought from our lips, but in the conversations and discussions (and more and more, screaming sessions) that dominate our public and in some cases, our private life. Expose your words thoughtlessly, let them run like a river either from a lack of care or too much, and you have given all your unfriends all they need to know and predict how you will act.
Remain the King on the Board. Remain the sword in the sheath. React only when you are ready to act, and not before.
Until then, be silent.
Good advice in a troublesome time...
ReplyDeleteIndeed STxAR, indeed.
DeleteVery true.
ReplyDeleteWould that more of us practiced it, Ed.
DeletePerhaps. Maybe in situations where you have codes of conduct, rules of engagement, and at least some semblance of civility being imposed on the conflict - that strategy might be wise.
ReplyDeleteOur adversaries lie, steal, and cheat. They kill people and burn cities to score political points. Their zealotry condones and encourages it. In your capitol, the armed forces have been emplaced to defend against "far right extremism" while all last year, BLM and Antifa have looted, riotted and burned. (Feel free to delete this, TB, I know you abhor politics) - but I bring that up to ask you this:
When do we actually draw our swords?
"The skillful warriors in ancient times first made themselves invincible and then awaited the enemy's moment of vulnerability." - Sun Tzu
DeleteOne doesn't eat a donut from the center, one nibbles around the edges, and then suddenly, the center disappears.
DeleteJust So - That is a brilliant analogy!
DeleteSadly easier said than done.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Leigh. A discipline to be practiced like any other for me.
DeleteUsed to be even the Mob had a code of honor, so to speak; but no longer.
ReplyDeleteQuite thoughtful, TB.