Tao Te Ching and the gun debate

[bench scientist]

I stole this from a friend's FB page and wanted to share it, because I could not agree with it more.

All this gun debating brought to my mind a passage from the Tao Te Ching -- this is Stephen Mitchell's translation

Weapons are the tools of violence;
all decent men detest them.

Weapons are the tools of fear;
a decent man will avoid them
except in the direst necessity
and, if compelled, will use them
only with the utmost restraint.
Peace is his highest value.
If the peace has been shattered,
how can he be content?
His enemies are not demons,
but human beings like himself.
He doesn't wish them personal harm.
Nor does he rejoice in victory.
How could he rejoice in victory
and delight in the slaughter of men?

He enters a battle gravely,
with sorrow and great compassion,
as if he were attending a funeral.

[annabanana]

1. Thank you . . . n/t

[bench scientist]

4. you are welcome a whole bunch..

if there was a banana smilie i would put it here for you.

(that quote really summed up what I wanted to say so , so well )

[patrice]

2. Thank you, bench scientist! Much better than my efforts to articulate this point. nt

[bench scientist]

3. mine too :)

peace patrice

[annabanana]

9. This could use another kick, and a few more eyes.. . . n/t

[Hoyt]

5. Problem is, too many deem walking out the door as "direst necessity." So they pack a gun in public.

At home they come up with other rationalizations to add more guns to the cache.

And, we aren't in a battle here.

[ManiacJoe]

6. That would easily fit in with the teachings of most self defense classes.

[littlemissmartypants]

7. LMSP kicking.

Thank you.

[bench scientist]

8. you are most welcome LMSP

[patrice]

10. KICK for the beauty of truth!