“A mean victory brings no glory, but rather disgrace... In men of honour the smallest trace of meanness repels: the noble and the ignoble should be miles apart. Be able to boast that if gallantry, generosity, and fidelity were lost in the world men would be able to find them again in your own breast.” –Balthasar Gracian.
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The above illustration vividly portrays the type of person almost everyone likes. The regal kind of person who combines bravery, kindness, and loyalty is quite rare in any day, though there are these people around if you look hard enough. They’re certainly not the type of person you’d expect to be fighting, but ironically, they’re the best fighters.
The above illustration vividly portrays the type of person almost everyone likes. The regal kind of person who combines bravery, kindness, and loyalty is quite rare in any day, though there are these people around if you look hard enough. They’re certainly not the type of person you’d expect to be fighting, but ironically, they’re the best fighters.
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It pays to fight wisely or not at all. Fighting unfairly is a quick way to gather enemies for the journey, and we never know when one of those enemies will either strike -- ‘expect it when you least expect it’ -- or when you’ll want a friend from their number and it’s altogether too late. Fighting fairly, of course, is also the right thing to do.
It pays to fight wisely or not at all. Fighting unfairly is a quick way to gather enemies for the journey, and we never know when one of those enemies will either strike -- ‘expect it when you least expect it’ -- or when you’ll want a friend from their number and it’s altogether too late. Fighting fairly, of course, is also the right thing to do.
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This quote is finally about how deep-seated the values of gallantry, generosity, and fidelity should be in our psyches; that once we’re engaged in life situations these values permeate not only our own actions, but also the lives of others, making life a sweet and lovely thing.
This quote is finally about how deep-seated the values of gallantry, generosity, and fidelity should be in our psyches; that once we’re engaged in life situations these values permeate not only our own actions, but also the lives of others, making life a sweet and lovely thing.
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The integrity of the soul is the subject here. How do we fare on the roads or in the wilderness of life? Is there a competitive streak that compels us to win at all costs, or is it ‘governed’ as in the device on a diesel engine that throttles it back and controls the top-end power? Integrity of stately values is to be our governor.
The integrity of the soul is the subject here. How do we fare on the roads or in the wilderness of life? Is there a competitive streak that compels us to win at all costs, or is it ‘governed’ as in the device on a diesel engine that throttles it back and controls the top-end power? Integrity of stately values is to be our governor.
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When all is said and done, if we fight, we must pick the right one, and also employ the right values-based strategy. Would it not be a good thing if these three: gallantry, generosity, and fidelity, were last of all found in you? Now, that is real spiritual leadership, wisdom, and emotional intelligence... and a raft of others, all rolled into one. We could also call it ‘being Christian.’ The kind of person A.W. Tozer touted, “They will be serious men whose eyes look far; and though they may be meek and lowly as the Lord they adore, there will be about them a suggestion of royalty, a noble reserve of bearing that cannot be mistaken.”
When all is said and done, if we fight, we must pick the right one, and also employ the right values-based strategy. Would it not be a good thing if these three: gallantry, generosity, and fidelity, were last of all found in you? Now, that is real spiritual leadership, wisdom, and emotional intelligence... and a raft of others, all rolled into one. We could also call it ‘being Christian.’ The kind of person A.W. Tozer touted, “They will be serious men whose eyes look far; and though they may be meek and lowly as the Lord they adore, there will be about them a suggestion of royalty, a noble reserve of bearing that cannot be mistaken.”
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This type of meek, lowly, yet regal and noble character is what we’re to strive for.
This type of meek, lowly, yet regal and noble character is what we’re to strive for.
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Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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