Two philosopher kings I know of actually took charge in real life despite their pleadings to be spared that most unwelcome job. Both caved to entreaties.
Numa, one of them, was liked by everyone, but neglected a critical issue and thus after his reign, things went south quickly. (The thing he neglected was to establish a good system of education, which hereabouts has been missing for many decades, though its absence remains entirely unnoticed and unremarked by the generality.)
The other got awarded the title Grand Marshall of France. He endured twice the dreaded job of being head of government, must've been a glutton for punishment.
Your essay brought them to mind, and also, I now recall, Caius Marcius Coriolanus. This last was not a philosopher king. He sided with usurers against their victims, a position I can't endorse.
A bit of the essay's detail is now coming back. The inculcation of self-hatred. What Americans should be ashamed of is allowing absolute greed to rule unchallenged. It is a ruthless enslaver, and despicable.
I'm glad Cynthia connected me to this site. I've got some reading to do. Thank you for sharing this poignant and motivational story. Scarcity in the material sense was not and never will be the source of the problem. People will go to great lengths to avoid an unpleasant truth.
The more success a nation has, the fewer challenges its citizens face. In the extreme, boredom sets in and they begin looking for "something different". The only thing different is failure.
There is never room in any country or kingdom for the egos (whether they be self destructive or prideful) of the rich and powerful and the true citizens of the land. The true citizens must unite in courage, truth and righteousness, which only God can provide, or they are as doomed as K...
Well written! As an allegory for our current situation I have my doubts. Like every life form, a culture has a spring, a summer, an autumn and a winter. The Romans promised their soldiers land at the end of their service, we promise university graduates a middle class life. The promise of a better life for their children makes people work enthusiastically. This works as long as your society expands.
When society can no longer expand, the promises to the children cannot be kept. Not because the elites do not want to, but because the resources are not there. No faith or religion or science can conjure resources out of nothing. The fall into vice may be a consequence, not a cause.
Very good 👍 Perhaps all great empires and civilisations are doomed to a similar fate. Decadence and degeneracy always preceed the final fall.
Only faith in God can save a remnant.
A very interesting story, but will anyone heed it?
Two philosopher kings I know of actually took charge in real life despite their pleadings to be spared that most unwelcome job. Both caved to entreaties.
Numa, one of them, was liked by everyone, but neglected a critical issue and thus after his reign, things went south quickly. (The thing he neglected was to establish a good system of education, which hereabouts has been missing for many decades, though its absence remains entirely unnoticed and unremarked by the generality.)
The other got awarded the title Grand Marshall of France. He endured twice the dreaded job of being head of government, must've been a glutton for punishment.
Your essay brought them to mind, and also, I now recall, Caius Marcius Coriolanus. This last was not a philosopher king. He sided with usurers against their victims, a position I can't endorse.
A bit of the essay's detail is now coming back. The inculcation of self-hatred. What Americans should be ashamed of is allowing absolute greed to rule unchallenged. It is a ruthless enslaver, and despicable.
An ingenious allegory of the fate befalling us. Stirring stuff as ever Cynthia, more power to you.
I'm glad Cynthia connected me to this site. I've got some reading to do. Thank you for sharing this poignant and motivational story. Scarcity in the material sense was not and never will be the source of the problem. People will go to great lengths to avoid an unpleasant truth.
Exquisite. Thank you. Oh how I long to hear his song.
The more success a nation has, the fewer challenges its citizens face. In the extreme, boredom sets in and they begin looking for "something different". The only thing different is failure.
There is never room in any country or kingdom for the egos (whether they be self destructive or prideful) of the rich and powerful and the true citizens of the land. The true citizens must unite in courage, truth and righteousness, which only God can provide, or they are as doomed as K...
I favor separation of church and state. Start with removing "In God We Trust"
from the currency. The various flocks should keep their religions to themselves.
"The pest of society is egotists." (Emerson, from "Culture.")
Well written! As an allegory for our current situation I have my doubts. Like every life form, a culture has a spring, a summer, an autumn and a winter. The Romans promised their soldiers land at the end of their service, we promise university graduates a middle class life. The promise of a better life for their children makes people work enthusiastically. This works as long as your society expands.
When society can no longer expand, the promises to the children cannot be kept. Not because the elites do not want to, but because the resources are not there. No faith or religion or science can conjure resources out of nothing. The fall into vice may be a consequence, not a cause.
Great road connected each city with guards stationed to ward off robbers. =====roads?