“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci (Adopted by Steve Jobs)
_____________________
There was once a Lion who was as gentle and just as a king could be.
During his reign, he proclaimed that all animals, large and small, should live together in perfect peace. The Lion with the Lamb.
A small Hare said, “Oh, how I have longed for this day!” But, then he ran for his life.
His friend finally caught up with him and asked him why he ran. “Well,” said the Hare, “the words are fine, indeed, but my legs have proven me safe. Better safe than sorry.”
Moral of the Story: Faith is noble, but action is wise.
______________________________
Introduction – The Essential Aesop – Epilogue
Related Articles: Consenting – No. 76. The Fox, Cock and the Dog – The Essential Aesop™ – Back to Basics Abridgment Series; Trust, but Verify; or, Vigilance for the Trap – No. 86. The Lion, Fox and Beasts – The Essential Aesop™ – Back to Basics Abridgment Series; Trust, by Tendency and Prediction. No. 36. The Wolf and the Sheep – The Essential Aesop™ – Back to Basics Abridgment Series
_____________________________
Why We Loved It: Understanding the tendencies of things is an inherent part of wisdom, and acknowledgment of tendencies is a type of clarity that is wisdom’s font. But, acknowledgment of the base tendencies of human beings tends to be a scary thing for us, and so foolishness finds its fog. Lest we forget, Aesop is a time-tested master psychologist, and we see that he often uses his animals to prove our human nature. Subtle perhaps.
It is a common error to think that wisdom is always correct: it is not. The greatest sage cannot guarantee the future. An unpredictable freak gust of wind will not convert a wise decision to punt into a foolish decision, although the untrained will think so. A wise decision remains wise, because it is rational and clear in light of its context when made.
It is better said that wisdom is not surprised. The wisdom framework is defensible, because it is rational. The sophisticate explains, “I know it did not turn out well, but let me explain my thought-process.“
We are told by Aesop of the Lion’s majestic nobility. And, indeed, the Hare acknowledges the noble decree. Yet, Aesop has him run.
Such as it is in life, in light of the proclamation, the Hare has a decision to make, perhaps isolated into four core choices: a) act and trust by faith; b) act and do not trust by faith; c) do not act and trust by faith; d) do not act and do not trust by faith. Each choice has its risks by tendencies.
In the fable, Aesop makes the point that long legs of the Hare are his power, and the Hare acted by using them. By using his legs, trust by faith thereby became immaterial in the action itself. Aesop’s Hare’s thought-process was direct and straight-forward: The Hare took control of the context, to the extent that it was within his power to do so, without reliance upon an external system to which he was vulnerable.
Nobility is a beautiful thing, of course, because it rises above base nature. But, it is wise to remember that nature’s tendency is the most persistent force in the World.
The bird sings beautifully, but it still eats the worm.
“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” John Adams
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt
“Doveryay, no proveryay“ [“Trust, but verify.“] Russian Proverb. (Popularized in the United States by Ronald Reagan.)
“Pay unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Jesus ONE®: 2123
“A man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, should I tie my camel and trust in Allah, or should I leave her untied and trust in Allah?’ The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, ‘Tie her and trust in Allah.’” Muhammad, Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2517
“Trust in God, boys, and keep your powder dry.” Oliver Cromwell
“Two kinds of people are good at foreseeing danger: those who have learned at their own expense and the clever people who learn a great deal at the expense of others. You should be as cautious at foreseeing difficulties as you are shrewd at getting out of them. Don’t be so good that you give others the chance to be bad. Be part serpent and part dove; not a monster, but a prodigy.” Baltasar Gracian, The Art of Worldly Wisdom
“Faith and philosophy are air, but events are brass.” Herman Melville, Pierre; or, The Ambiguities
“She said the terms were mutual, and, therefore, must be fair. Sure as the hare may eat the lion, and the lion may eat the hare.” GRZ
Fides est nobilis, sed actio est sapiens. [“Faith is noble, but action is wise.”]
________________________
© 2013 Arnold Zegarelli and Gregg Zegarelli, Esq. Gregg can be contacted through LinkedIn. Arnold Zegarelli can be contacted through Facebook.
http://www.linkedin.com/pulse/let-me-explain-my-thought-process-94-kingdom-lion-zegarelli-esq-/
GRZ98_94 GRZUID98_94