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A Guide for Our Leaders
By Dallas Cline, Ashley Falls
So many of us have very strong feelings about the possibility of our country waging a war against Iraq. A friend of mine sent this beautiful writing to me, which seems to say more about war than anything I have ever found. It is from the Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu in the Tao Te Ching, a book of great wisdom. These passages read almost like the Sermon on the Mount.
"One who would guide a leader of men in the uses of life
Will warn him against the use of arms for conquest.
Even the finest arms are an instrument of evil:
An army's harvest is a waste of thorns.
In time of war men civilized in peace
Turn from their higher to their lower nature,
But triumph is not beautiful.
He who thinks triumph beautiful
Is one with a will to kill.
The death of a multitude is cause for mourning:
Conduct your triumph as a funeral.
I would say we need such a guide to help our leaders in the White House and the Pentagon.
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