SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 2024 ARGUING

 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2024 

FIRST A STORY - THE TIGER AND THE DONKEY;

The donkey told the tiger: The grass is blue.

The tiger replied: No, the grass is green​.

The discussion became heated, and the two decided to submit the issue to arbitration and to do so, they approached the lion.

Before reaching the clearing in the forest where the lion was sitting on his throne, the donkey started screaming, ′′Your Highness, isn’t it true that the grass is blue?”​

The lion replied: “True, the grass is blue”​.

The donkey rushed forward and continued, ′′The tiger disagrees with me, contradicts me, and annoys me. Please punish him”​.

The king then declared, ′′The tiger will be punished with a year of silence”​.

The donkey jumped joyfully and went on his way, content and repeating: ′′The grass is blue”​.

The tiger accepted his punishment, but he asked the lion: ′′Your Majesty, why have you punished me? After all, the grass is green?”​

The lion replied: ′′In fact, the grass is green”​.

The tiger asked: ′′So why do you punish me?”​

The lion replied:
That has nothing to do with the question of whether the grass is blue or green. The punishment is because it is not possible for a brave, intelligent creature like you to waste time arguing with a donkey, and on top of that, to come and bother me with that question.

The worst waste of time is arguing with the fool and fanatic who doesn’t care about truth or reality, but only the victory of his beliefs and illusions. Never waste time on discussions that make no sense… There are people who, for all the evidence presented to them, do not have the ability to understand, and others who are blinded by ego, hatred and resentment, and the only thing that they want is to be right even if they aren’t.

When ignorance screams, intelligence shuts up. Your peace and tranquility are worth more.

Adapted from an unknown Author

*****

We are in a political year.  In the United States,, two major candidates and two major parties vying for political success (and the election of their candidate for President).  At times, the political parties remind me of the story of the donkey and tiger.  The grass is green (except for drought-stricken areas - where it is brown).  To argue that it is blue isn’t worth our time and effort.  

We must decide which candidate and party will run this divided country with love and grace.  As the lion says, “There are people who, for all the evidence presented to them, cannot understand, and others who are blinded by ego, hatred, and resentment, and the only thing that they want is to be right even if they aren’t.”
 

I do have political views - but I will not argue them.  If you agree with me, wonderful; if we don’t agree, wonderful.  I am to love you, whatever your views are.  

Proverbs 26:4-5  Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly,  or he will be wise in his own eyes.

Proverbs 28_7 If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

(And, excuse my language).  Don’t get into a pissing match with a skunk; you’ll never win and come out smelling like a skunk.)

And Proverbs 15:1 says, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

And, advice for men to their wives, the phrase “You were right, I was wrong” is valuable (even IF you were right).  

Love does win - “turn the other cheek”; “you can disagree without being disagreeable”.  Some things are just not worthy of fighting over (sports and politics)

Love does transform us.

Karen Anne White, October 5, 2024