Friday, November 13, 2009

The Charter for Compassion


I've been reading lately the book, "Towards the Light" by A.C.Grayling. It is mostly about how our freedoms were won, and how they are under threat- not from terrorists, but from governments.

Let that be as it may- we can argue back and forth on that. What I want to post here is an interesting passage at page 245.

It relates to a war in 415 BC when a strong army of Athenians refused to negotiate with the weaker forces of Melos. Athens wanted Melians to join them in their war against Sparta, and when they didn't do so, Athens ransacked the city and massacred its citizens. Before doing that, they told the negotiators from Melos thus:

"You know as well as we do that right is only in question between equals in power, for the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must".


Sounds pretty heartless, but this is the way the world is.

Can't we make some difference to this? I really don't know- possibly we can make symbolic gestures, or we can shout about somewhat. Other than that, we are pretty powerless against the forces of darkness.

However, if you are moved to reflect on fairness, justice, freedom etc., please sign this Charter of Compassion.- more than one lakh people have done so.

And if you are interested you can share inspiring acts of compassion too.

Every little bit helps, right?

Especially when you are fighting the might of people who are always in the right.

3 comments:

  1. That's a good comeback post. Sadly what Athenians said was/is true. Media could play a huge role in tilting the balance but unfortunately they are no different from the powerful. More than fairness it is expediency and sensationalism that dominate media minds.

    Thanks for the link

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  2. yes, that one was rather blunt as messages go.

    And we are the media.

    The new media!

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  3. Yes and we should know and be responsible

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