#257 Shorter myopic view vs Larger Picture
1 min Read |Β 21 Nov 2023Β
The fences portrays the prevailing inequality. Reminds me story of Lao Tzu.Β
Lao Tzu π§, an authentic rebelβmore authentic than Gautam Buddha and Mahavira, because he remained in the world π and fought in the worldβlived according to his own light π‘, struggling, not escaping. He became so wise that the emperor π invited him to become his prime minister. He simply refused π«. He said, βIt wonβt work because it is improbable that we can come to the same conclusions about things. You live according to the ideals your forefathers have given to you; I live according to my own conscience.β But the emperor was insistent; he could not see that there was any problem.
The very first day in his court, a thief π¦ΉββοΈ was brought in; he had been caught red-handed, stealing from the richest man π° in the capitalβand he confessed that he was stealing. Lao Tzu gave six months in jail π to both the rich man and the thief. The rich man said, βWhat? I have been robbed, I am a victim, and I am being punished? Are you mad or something? There is no precedent in history that a man whose money has been stolen should be punished.β
Lao Tzu said, βIn fact, you should be given a longer term in jail than the thiefβI am being much too compassionateβbecause you have gathered all the money of the city. Do you think money showers from the sky βοΈπΈ?
Who has made these people so poor that they have to become thieves? You are responsible. βAnd this will be my judgment in every case of stealing; both persons will go to jail. Your crime is far deeper, his crime is nothing. He is poor and you are responsible for it. And if he was stealing a little bit of money from your treasures, it was not much of a crime. That money belongs to many of the poor people from whom you got it. You went on becoming richer and richer π΅π and many more people went on becoming poorer and poorer ππ’.β
The rich man thought, βThis man seems to be crazy, utterly crazy.β He said, βI want one chance to see the emperor.β He was so rich that even the emperor used to borrow money from him. He told the emperor what had happened. He said to him, βIf you donβt remove this man from the court you will be behind bars just like meβ because from where have you got all your treasures? If I am a criminal, you are a far bigger criminal.β
The emperor saw the logic of the situation. He told Lao Tzu, βPerhaps you were right that it will be difficult for us to come to the same conclusions. You are relieved from your services π°πΆββοΈ.β - Living in own terms
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