I did connect the word to submissiveness and weakness but you bring in a new meaning and philosophy layering creating a concept. While I don’t know where this leads I know that it got me thinking!
In some ways, I think the word has evolved (devolved?) to submissiveness, it's interesting to see where it started. I take away that I should be capable, maintain agency, and live life well. 😎
Reading your posts and your books is a post graduate course in Western Civilization. I am constantly amazed at the breadth and depth of your knowledge. Thank you.
I love the original meaning of meekness, and agree with you 100%. Sometimes I think "chivalry" would be a better modern translation, but even that would still need to be explained. Maybe just best to recover the original meaning, as your piece does so well.
Michael, another great essay. I have witnessed this in the fighter pilot world. One of the best warrior pilots I have flown with and winner of the Silver Star lived his life with kindness, humility and reverence for God.
Yeah, I’ve seen that. As much as I try to be meek in the best of ways, I’m still both physically and personality-wise, imposing, and that often gets interpreted wrong. Glad you appreciated the writing.
peace is my moral end. Good. But you have no idea if anything you do will or will not promote peace. Did the Treaty of Versailles rid the world of war? On the contrary it caused WW II.
I’d wager that the Treaty of Versailles was not well intended peace but completely malicious retaliation. Conversely, when the US bombed Japan, we turned around and immediatly rebuilt them into a powerhouse. That was peace.
Completely agree. My example not apt. But my point is that any action, however well intentioned, will have unforeseen and quite possible undesired consequences. Plus there is the scale of time to consider. Bottom line, history evolves dialectically. We cannot accurately predict the future. Whatever we do we do for its own sake. The future will, or will not, take care of itself.
I did connect the word to submissiveness and weakness but you bring in a new meaning and philosophy layering creating a concept. While I don’t know where this leads I know that it got me thinking!
In some ways, I think the word has evolved (devolved?) to submissiveness, it's interesting to see where it started. I take away that I should be capable, maintain agency, and live life well. 😎
Yes, well put summary!
Reading your posts and your books is a post graduate course in Western Civilization. I am constantly amazed at the breadth and depth of your knowledge. Thank you.
I appreciate that. I'm still just exploring myself so thanks for being here!
I love the original meaning of meekness, and agree with you 100%. Sometimes I think "chivalry" would be a better modern translation, but even that would still need to be explained. Maybe just best to recover the original meaning, as your piece does so well.
I like the idea of Chivalry and agree, it would need to be put back in context. Thanks for the great feedback.
Sheesh, I'm behind on my reading and missing out. This was fantastic. More men need this.
Awesome to hear and I agree.
Michael, another great essay. I have witnessed this in the fighter pilot world. One of the best warrior pilots I have flown with and winner of the Silver Star lived his life with kindness, humility and reverence for God.
Yeah, I’ve seen that. As much as I try to be meek in the best of ways, I’m still both physically and personality-wise, imposing, and that often gets interpreted wrong. Glad you appreciated the writing.
peace is my moral end. Good. But you have no idea if anything you do will or will not promote peace. Did the Treaty of Versailles rid the world of war? On the contrary it caused WW II.
I’d wager that the Treaty of Versailles was not well intended peace but completely malicious retaliation. Conversely, when the US bombed Japan, we turned around and immediatly rebuilt them into a powerhouse. That was peace.
Completely agree. My example not apt. But my point is that any action, however well intentioned, will have unforeseen and quite possible undesired consequences. Plus there is the scale of time to consider. Bottom line, history evolves dialectically. We cannot accurately predict the future. Whatever we do we do for its own sake. The future will, or will not, take care of itself.
Great point. I think that we can edge it in certain directions but, you’re right, it would be hubristic to think we can control it.