Plutarch: Alexander

Not much that really caught my attention in reading this. There is one blip that I'll share...

The extent of King Taxiles's dominions in India was thought to be as large as Egypt, abounding in good pastures, and producing beautiful fruits. The king himself had the reputation of a wise man, and at his first interview with Alexander he spoke to him in these terms: "To what purpose," said he, "should we make war upon one another, if the design of your coming into these parts be not to rob us of our water or our necessary food, which are the only things that wise men are indispensably obliged to fight for? As for other riches and possessions, as they are accounted in the eye of the world, if I am better provided of them than you, I am ready to let you share with me; but if fortune has been more liberal to you than me, I have no objection to be obliged to you." This discourse pleased Alexander so much that, embracing him, "Do you think," said he to him, "your kind words and courteous behaviour will bring you off in this interview without a contest? No, you shall not escape so. I shall contend and do battle with you so far, that how obliging soever you are, you shall not have the better of me." Then receiving some presents from him, he returned him others of greater value, and to complete his bounty gave him in money ready coined one thousand talents; at which his old friends were much displeased, but it gained him the hearts of many of the barbarians.

How is that for Utopian? Only be willing to fight for that which is essential for life. What possessions in my life would I be willing to fight and die for? It seems to make sense that I should be willing to fight for the things I need to live. If I'm going to die without them I should be willing to risk my life for the chance to live.

Beyond that, what is worth fighting for?

Plutarch: Numa Pompilius

Numa, like Lycurgus, was an influential person in the formation of a nation. This time it was the Roman Empire instead of Greece. I found three things that caught my attention. I'm not sure if I should only write about the random tidbits that tickle my fancy or should use this as an opportunity to write about the traditional 'points of interest'. I still like the prior so I'll go with it.

In our current world where the American people, having been struck, were hellbent on war after Sept 11th. The following quote seems like wisdom to apply to such situations.

"But, if, indeed, their desires are uncontrollably and madly set on war, were it not better, then, to have the reins held by such a moderating hand as is able to divert the fury another way..."

The problem was that our leader wasn't holding the reins very tightly. The question that I'm learning to ask more and more: "In what ways can we...". I want to see a move from reactionary choices to the 'moderating hand' that Plutarch references. I think that it's important to understand that when there is attack or provocation that there is going to be a heated spirit fired on adrenaline. Wisdom in those situations is knowing how to divert it and to where it should be diverted.

The second thing of note: Fecials. Where are the peacemakers in our world?

"These Fecials [an order of priest], or guardians of peace, seem to have had their name from their office, which was to put a stop to disputes by conference and speech; for it was not allowable to take up arms until they had declared all hopes of accommodation to be at an end, for in Greek, too, we call it peace when disputes are settled by words, and not by force."

It hurts me to argue this definition of peace, but I know the danger of words. I would argue that words are more peaceful than spilling blood, but most of the violence I see in my day to day life comes without a single blow. Step 1: Stop settling arguements with force; Step 2: find respect for those who you disagree with. How? The best I can do is offer the suggestion is value other people more than your own oppinions. In the Christian Worldview phrase it, "Since you are my brother in Christ that relationship is more important than have my way."

The third deals with prayer,

"the lawgiver wants to habituate us to make our petitions to the deity not by the way, and, as it were, in a hurry, when we have other things to do, but with time and leisure to attend to it."

Faith is important to me. Learning how to build a relationship with God is imporant to me. Since it is important to me, I have to wonder how it should be lived out. If a large part of my identity is spiritual; there is a God; activity can happen on the spiritual plane then I should interact with God. Often this gets clumped together as prayer.

If that is the case then how should I do it? It's not something that should be in passing... this isn't like going to the bathroom or blowing my nose. This is an activity like eating, work and play. This is a part of my life where I need to set time and focus aside.

Dream: Old Girlfriends and Bacon.

I had a dream last night where I was back in my HS; it felt like a reunion or something. I dreamed of my first real girlfriend, and we talked. We parted on less than ideal circumstances. One of those cling to the relationship because you don't know how to let go. I was once young and foolish. I didn't live the way then that I would today... so I regret the way I acted. In my dream she forgave me for it.

There may be profound meaning to this. Perhaps I should go and make peace. Then again I also dreamed of making bacon in a coffee mug with a microwave...