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• Thursday, December 4, 2008 06:09 AM

  Thank you, Glenn

  for highlighting this. Our leaders seem to constantly miss the most basic points about being an effective leader (i.e. one in tune with reality--the real point about torture is how it defeats itself and destroys those who use it. A true pragmatist would run from the use of torture like from a clearly evident disaster just waiting to happen):

  I have three treasures

  To maintain and conserve:

  The first is compassion.

  The second if frugality.

  The third is not presuming

  To be the first under heaven.

  Nowadays

  People reject compassion

  But want to be brave,

  Reject frugality

  But want to be generous,

  Reject humility

  And want to come first.

  This is death.

  Compassion:

  Attack with it and win.

  Defend with it and stand firm.

  Heaven aids and protects

  Through compassion.

  The accomplished person is not aggressive.

  The good soldier is not hot-tempered.

  The best conqueror does not engage the enemy.

  The most effective leader takes the lowest place.

  This is called the integrity of not contending.

  This is called the power of the leader.

  This is called matching Heaven’s ideal. (Tao Te Ching 68)

  There is no disaster greater than

  Contempt for the enemy.

  Contempt for the enemy—

  What a treasure lost!

  Therefore,

  When the fighting gets hot,

  Those who grieve will conquer. (TTC 69)

  When many people are killed

  We feel sorrow and grief.

  A great victory

  Is a funeral ceremony. (TTC 31)

  —Jkalos Read Jkalos's other letters
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