Sunday, July 19, 2009

Reason lies between the spur and bridle

For car drivers this can be updated to the accelerator and the brake. The means of travel has changed but the underlying concept of this saying remains the same. We have natural impulses: hunger, love, security, power, and these act as a spur to action. But we all know the trouble they can get you into.

Students of history will be aware of how people in the past had a different mindset, especially those in positions of extreme power such as early kings. Their emotional impulses were immediately transformed into actions with severe results for the recipients. Modern systems of government include a great deal of the bridle or brake to curb excesses and moderate conduct.

It is, however, in the nature of things that those in power will seek consciously or unconsciously to circumvent the controls. The saying: The price of democracy is eternal vigilance is very apt here. Reason is the means by which we seek to understand the truth of a situation and apply balance and good sense betwixt the spur of emotional desire and the counterbalancing, inhibiting bridle of fear of consequences.

Enjoy a humorous break with these funny videos.

How to write a Limerick Edward Lear improved Part 1

How to write Limericks Edward Lear improved Part 2

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