120 Original Myths and Trite Ethics to Learn From [Copyright Michael Llenos 2016-2019]
INTRO. In the spirit of Jesus and Aesop I have written these parables and fables and trite ethics...
[1] The Strange Lady and the Mermaid Children
Once upon a time there were two mermaid children playing on the beach’s edge. Then a strange woman walked by both children and told them that if they came back to her at this time tomorrow she would give them a special potion that would turn both children’s tails into legs. “Go and do what you have to do,” said the strange woman, “both of you will be normal children like the rest if you would only drink my potion by this time tomorrow!” So both mermaid children swam off to their underwater cave and made preparations for the next day. Now the mermaid boy didn’t do much packing, as a mermaid boy he did what mermaid boy’s do best: spend the rest of his free time acting like a fish and flipping his tail this way and that. The mermaid girl, however, told him that he should collect himself and get his belongings ready to be transported back to the ocean’s surface for the next day. But at this rebuke the mermaid boy didn’t pay much attention but continued to flap his tail as much as he could. The next day, both mermaid children came to the beach’s edge and met once again the strange lady that they saw the previous day. When both mermaid children drank the special potion, that the strange lady gave them, the two of them both sprouted legs and their fish tails shed off. When the mermaid boy realized he was a normal boy, like all of the other boys on land, he jumped and danced around and thanked the kind woman that gave him that special potion. But as soon as the mermaid girl noticed her mermaid tail was gone, and that she had normal legs like a normal child, she quickly broke down in tears and lamented the fact that she was now a normal girl without a fish tail. At this the boy told her that it was ridiculous to complain about something that she could of prepared for in the past. He further said that since meeting the strange lady, he spent the last remaining hours (as a mermaid boy) using his tail in a most exaggerated and tired out way, which allowed him to look forward to being a normal boy instead of dwelling on the past.
[When we are tired of something, it doesn’t matter as much to see it let go.]
[2] The Three Prophets of God
One day when they were children: Jesus, Moses and Mohammed were walking through the wilderness of the land of Canaan. As they were walking along the way the angel Raphael came down from the heaven saying: “God wants to know what you three prophets are going to do for his people?” Moses was the first to say something: “May God know that I will instruct his people in how to prepare the cereal offerings and peace offerings and how to pour out libations of wine (and alcohol) to God as sweet smelling oblations for him to smell.” Very good and well,” spoke the angel Raphael, “can the rest of you be just as pious?” Mohammed was the next prophet to join in: “I, O angel of God the almighty, will instruct my people in good works (and salvation thereby) and on how not to drink alcoholic drinks, how to avoid usury and how to be true monotheists.” “Very Good,” the angel Raphael replied. “And what will you, Jesus, do for God’s people?” Jesus immediately responded: “I am the shepherd of God’s holy ones. I will bring into God’s sheep-fold so many sheep, throughout the entire Universe, and by the remembrance of my great actions here on Earth (in Canaan) that the Kingdom of Heaven will be forever glorified!” At this both Mohammed and Moses were awestruck at what Jesus had said. Then both prophets wondered in silence just how glorious a servant of God, Jesus would become.
[The greater number of a prophet’s converts, the greater will his victory be.]
[3] War and Peace
One day War and Peace were racing to hear what a group of senators in a far off republic were deliberating about as a course of foreign action. War raced ahead of Peace and said: “You shall not beat me; I shall run faster than you and go ahead so that it will be too late for you!” Peace laughed at War’s remarks and replied by saying: “Why do I need to run, War? The longer you stay in that nation the faster its senators will kick you out!”
[There is nothing as tiring to a people as war without end.]
[4] A Shark among Whales
One day a Megladon, or what some people call a 60 foot giant great white shark, was swimming through the ocean upset that its food supply was running low, so it said to the Killer Whales swimming near by: “Why don’t you Orcas share some of your food with me? I am starving to death!” “We would,” replied the Orcas, “if it were possible; however, your species wouldn’t be dying off if you weren’t all such massive eaters!”
[At times great strength requires too many resources.]
[5] The Muslim, the Jew, the Christian and the Marathon
Some time ago a Muslim man and a Jewish man were happily running together in a marathon. As they were running along, both tripped over each other’s feet and shoelaces. Each felt that their counterpart had given offense to them personally. When each counterpart didn’t ask for forgiveness, both men became angry at the other. Then, forgetting all restraint, they decided to criticize each other for being hypocrites to their own religion. A Christian man, running by, couldn’t help but also yell out arrogantly to them: “Don’t you both know that this 26 mile long marathon was started by pagans in ancient times?”
[Practically all human beings are hypocrites concerning the ‘Word of God’ (The Jewish Bible, The New Testament, and The Koran); however, for bad reasons, people make exceptions to religion for the sake of their own cultural traditions, even if it means the destruction of their own lives and the ruin of their own salvation.]
[6] The Clock and the Camel
A ticking clock, that was unusual for its kind, was riding on the back of a camel, and it felt superior to the camel because it was carrying the clock. So the clock said to the camel: “This is very nice scenery I am enjoying way up here! Too bad you cannot enjoy it comfortably, and too bad that you have to make so much effort in carrying me.” “No effort at all,” murmured the camel, “just as long as you get off my back!” The camel then shook the unusual clock off its back and into the desert sand. Then with a sad voice the clock wined: “Look at me now… if I would have only kept my mouth shut… I would still be on the camel’s back!”
[People may grow overconfident because they detect no evil with their eyes.]
[7] St. Paul and Seneca
One day the philosopher Seneca was walking with his friend St. Paul down a colonnade in the ancient capitol of Rome. “When will the time of your master’s return to earth be my dearest friend Paul?” asked the philosopher. “Why do you ask me this?” replied St. Paul. “Because your followers keep on saying that the time is short!” St. Paul agreed with this: “The time definitely is short, but maybe not as short as some would like it to be. When compared with the past many years since the beginning of the Universe it is short, if only you knew how many years the past contains!”
[No matter how many years until the Messiah returns, I believe heaven considers the years to be short, though not to most impatient human beings.]
[8] The Sea-captain and the Whale
A sea-captain was taking a small speed boat loaded with tourists to see giant humpback whales frolicking up close. One of the whales smacked his tail against the side of the boat breaking it in half. “Why all of this trouble?” replied the sea-captain, “we haven’t hunted your kind for almost forty years!” “And how many thousands of years did you hunt us before then?” retorted the whale.
[Few creatures take pleasure in kind deeds when they have only recently occurred.]
[9] A Camel and a Deacon
A camel bought the deed to a plot of land where a church was burnt down and its membership made non-existent. When the deacon of the former church saw that the camel had plans to turn the site into a holy Masjid, he exclaimed to the camel: “Why not build a church and become a Christian?” The camel was offended at this and shouted: “Does it look like I need any kind of conversion? Why not pester those church goers who have moved on?”
[It is better to convert someone who has no religion than to convert someone who is already a monotheist, whom already believes in an all powerful God.]
[10] The Man Who Stopped Drinking
A man once woke up with a headache: “I must stop drinking alcohol!” he cried, finally coming to his senses. “There are too many health problems involved with all this wine!”
[We humans are fragile beings since even drinking a little sugar can bring us harm after a short period of time.]
[11] Patton and the Runaway
As General George S. Patton’s 3rd army was fighting in Europe’s ‘Ardennes Forest’ during World War II, he and his men were astonished at all the defectors that were streaming in from the German lines. More curious than most, Patton asked a German conscript why his entire company defected to the American line. “Sir, you and your men may have to fight the German army with light tanks against our bigger tanks, but we Germans have to fight both you and a lack of rations!”
[When an army does not have enough food and supplies, it is in no condition to fight the enemy.]
[12] A Christmas Anecdote
Celebrating Christmas in some Belgium church during World War II, some local politicians asked General Patton why he was able to defeat the Germans with such lightly armored tanks. “I’ll tell you why,” Patton spat back. “We make minced pie out of the German army because of our large numbers!”
[Sometimes in life: quantity is better than quality.]
[13] Alexander the Great and Marcus Crassus
One day Marcus Crassus was arguing with Alexander the Great on how great a general Alexander truly was in his lifetime. The former argued along these lines: “When I think of all the battles you, Alexander, won against a disintegrating Persian Empire, I think to myself, he could never have taken Rome!” Alexander quickly responded to this: “That maybe so, but the Roman Republic was never a truly great empire until after its wars with Carthage!”
[People may treat historical generals negatively only because they look at their wars after such events have taken place.]
[14] Jonah and the Giant Shark
St.Peter’s papa, who was called both John and Jonah, by Jesus Christ, jumped into a very large shark’s mouth while he was still in his prime. This large shark, also known as a Megladon, can grow to over 60 feet in length. Inside the belly of the shark, Jonah was in communication with it using a special technology. For they could communicate with words beforehand, which was the only reason why Jonah attempted such a foolish thing in the first place. “Do you want me to expel you now?” asked the Megladon, after a brief two minutes Jonah was in his belly. “Yes, please!” cried Jonah. “I cannot take being in your stomach this long!” The shark laughed, as sharks secretly do sometimes. Then he said: “You asked for it; now you are going to get it Jonah!” And with no further ado, the Megladon spit Jonah out of its stomach and mouth with such force that most of Jonah’s water equipment yanked on him painfully and became very gross and slimy. Jonah took off his mask with an angry look on his face. The shark laughed again from the surface of the water. “You shouldn’t be so upset,” the shark teased. “After all you went into a shark’s belly and came out intact!”
[Sometimes people forget about the bigger picture of things and only complain about their immediate discomfort.]
[15] The Camel and Robin Hood
When Robin Hood was escaping on foot from the Sheriff of Nottingham’s soldiers, he came upon a camel grazing in a lush meadow and was amazed at the sight of such a unique creature on the edge of Sherwood Forest. “Don’t be amazed,” spoke the camel, “I don’t just live in deserts! I like all kinds of vegetation…” “Blimey…” Robin Hood chortled amazed. “Now I can make my escape from Nottingham’s men in style and also on a talking beast…” The camel coughed at this remark, then said: “I suppose you can ride on top of me? After all you are Robin Hood!” Then Robin Hood mounted the camel and escaped the enemy soldiers by riding deeper and deeper into the forest of Sherwood.
[There is at least one counter instance in life to almost every situation we come across.]
[16] Gideon and his Men
Gideon was preparing for battle with his men and so were the enemy soldiers. He poured out a sweet smelling libation of alcohol to God and this was credited to him. Gideon then charged the enemy formation and was able to capture them all to a man. “Why weren’t we able to capture you Israelites instead?” asked one enemy captive. “I’ll tell you why,” responded Gideon. “You need to get your affairs right before the Lord before embarking on any kind of dangerous enterprise!”
[Sometimes men and women get themselves into trouble later in life because they have neglected virtue and good works in their past.]
[17] The Watch-Timer and the Cuckoo Clock
There once was a watch-timer that thought it was very clever because it would beep every time a new hour came along or after its owner timed it. However, a ‘cuckoo clock’ living in the same house as the ‘timer’ thought it was better than the watch that could beep. “You think you’re something special?” asked the cuckoo clock. “Yes, I do,” said the watch. “I think I am better than you because I can beep instead of crow!” The cuckoo clock felt very insulted when he heard this. “I may crow,” voiced the Cuckoo clock, “but my innards are a heck of a lot fancier!”
[Sometimes inside a person is greater than what is outside of them.]
[18] The Pilot Whale’s Greater Misfortune
One day a herd of about twenty pilot whales found themselves beached on a Malaysian island after following their leader straight into the surf. “Woe is me!” cried the lead whale, “what is to happen to me before death!” “Thanks a lot,” said one of the other beached whales, “for being concerned about us as well as your own self!”
[Lot’s of people do not hold themselves accountable, even when they have done something totally unjust to others.]
[19] The Cake and the Soda and the Carrot
A cake in a refrigerator was very proud of the fact that its kind always was in abundance whenever there was a celebration that families would have at a get together. The soda responded haughtily: “I’m better than you at all time!” “No you are not,” replied the cake. “People love me more than they love you!” voiced the soda. The carrot decided to interject from lowest part of the refrigerator: “Well, I’m better than both of you. There is no corn syrup or bad kinds of sugar in any part of me!”
[People often ruin themselves by thinking beauty is only skin deep.]
[20] Saladin and Charles the Hammer lecturing at a University
One day in some University, the great Muslim general Saladin 'the Great' was in an argument with the great French general Charles 'the Hammer' over who had more of a right to victory in both their countries. “Your French people invaded us!” Saladin declaimed. “And your allies tried to bring tyranny to all of France!” rejoined Charles the Hammer. “Please…” spoke up a history professor in the pews. “You are both right! There is nothing wrong with defending your very own God fearing country!” At this both men fell silent and had to agree.
[A protagonist is not an antagonist when he is defending his very own country from tyranny.]
[21] The Chef and the Metal Cauldron
One day a chef started to heat up a cauldron full of water. As the pot began to boil, some water was spilling over the rims of the pot. The pot told the chef, “Don’t worry, your precious water will not cause a fire.” Then even more water began to splash outside of the pot. “Don’t worry,” sounded the cauldron, “your water will continue to be safe in me!” Then coming to his senses, the chef immediately took the pot and placed it on a cool rack. The chef then whispered to himself, “If I would have continued to listen to that pot, I would be a dead man by now…”
[Sometimes arrogant tyrants should be imprisoned and done away with, no matter how caring they pretend to show themselves to the people.]
[22] A Man and his Cat
One day a man went to feed his favorite cat and he held the plate for his cat to eat. When that cat didn’t show signs of interest, but only nibbled a little at his food, the man said to himself: “If every man does as I do, we would all be enslaved to kitty cats!”
[If you have pets take care of them. Just don’t get angry at them if you see them spoiled rotten.]
[23] The Rich Man and his Boat
There was a great white shark swimming next to a rich man’s yacht, and the rich man saw the shark immediately head towards a female Killer Whale and her young. Wondering who would win the match, the rich man took his boat for a closer look. Although he looked and looked, he could find no sign of any sea creature in the water. Then suddenly up ‘popped’ the Killer Whale, with the shark’s liver in her mouth. “Woe is me,” yelled out the rich man. “Nobody back at the harbor will ever believe this story of mine…”
[There is almost nothing more irritating than a rich man who constantly brags.]
[24] The Camel and the Elephant
“I am nobler than you,” the camel said defiantly to the elephant. “My purpose on earth is much nobler than yours. I am used for long desert treks and I am sometimes used for meat by a pious Ishmaelite family of the Earth.” “Enjoy it yourself,” retorted the arrogant elephant, “I’m just glad that men don’t eat me!”
[Sometimes bragging will reveal your faults that are frowned upon by men.]
[25] The Sufi and the Jinn
A pious Turkish gentleman was walking along the shore, when he saw an empty glass bottle in the surf. The Turkish man ran to the bottle and opened it. Out sprouted a ‘giant jinn’. “What kind of believer are you, ‘young fella’?” asked the jinn. “I’m a Sufi holy man,” replied the Muslim. “You don’t know what a Sufi is?” the Muslim asked. “I’m afraid not,” replied the jinn. “I have been imprisoned in this bottle ever since the time of the third successive Caliph to the Prophet Muhammad.” Thinking some treachery was afoot, the Sufi decided to now act craftily with the genie. “This is what we do,” replied the Sufi, as he started to spin and twirl around in circles very artfully. “I can do that,” retorted the jinn. “What’s so special about that?” “But can you do that inside a small space like inside this bottle of yours?” asked the Sufi. “That’s more than easily done,” answered the jinn with pride, as he twisted himself back and forth until he was completely back inside the glass container. Swiftly the Muslim capped the genie’s bottle tight again and tied it to an old ships anchor on the shore, which he than threw out into the ocean, past the surf.
[Being powerful does not make you immune to trickery.]
[26] The Arab Astronomer and the Spyglass
Four hundred years before the reign of the first Spanish King, who drove out the Moors from Western Europe, the Islamic Empire was enjoying a prosperous time that some considered as a Golden Age of science. One night a Moroccan astronomer decided to gaze at the heavens with his spy glass. “The planets must be alive just as Ptolemy predicted,” he said to himself: as he was watching the retrograde motion of one of the planets throughout the night. Then suddenly a large owl descended on the man’s head and snatched away his philosopher’s turban. “What expense is this!” exclaimed the astronomer. “Observing that planet has lost me my hat!”
[When leaving home one must be aware of all of the dangers of the environment we settle in.]
[27] Benjamin Franklin and the French Ambassador
While enjoying coffee and cream, the French Ambassador was making up excuses why his country could not send naval aid to the American colonies during the American Revolutionary War. “We don’t have the man power or the ships to spare!” argued the Frenchman. Benjamin Franklin laughed at the ambassador when he heard this. “That’s an odd thing to say, my dear ambassador, when we have British troops all throughout the Americas and while there are no British troops in your vast and spacious homeland.”
[Needing necessities is one thing and being tired of doing something is another.]
[28] The Lobster and the Eel
“Why do you eat all the fish that I bring to our abode?” the lobster angrily asked the eel. “Because, my fellow sea creature, I deserve more than some small recompense for my guardianship of this cave!”
[We should be thankful much more than we really are for people’s help in life.]
[29] The Sun and the Moon
One day the moon was bragging to the sun about how many gifts it has given to mankind. “With me humans can see at night and they can mark their seasons on a calendar.” “All true,” spoke the sun undoubtedly. “But without my light there would be no humans on Earth at all!”
[Sometimes we like something more because its main power is taken for granted.]
[30] The Chicken and the Snake
“Why don’t you come to my side of the road,” questioned the snake to the chicken, “it is much better on this side of the farm…” “I would go there,” replied the chicken, “if there was just the road there instead of both of you!”
[We should be thankful to God that he gives us knowledge to avoid horrible dangers whether we are a coward or a brave man.]
[31] The Wandering Buddhist Monk
One day a collection of monks gathered together on a cliff ledge above their monastery. They were pondering the reason why a strangely clothed monk kept climbing a nearby mountain in such an erratic way. The monks decided to go down their side of the mountain and to ask him why this blue cloaked stranger didn’t go to their monastery for refuge from the wild. “I wasn’t looking for your monastery,” replied the strangely clothed monk. “I was looking for my very own monastery… And that can only come from God himself…”
[Perhaps the soul of a righteous saint can only find true repose when God gives him what he has labored for.]
[32] The Buddha’s Sangha Feast
A large group of moderately wealthy patrons decided to give a ‘community feast’ to some very poor and destitute persons one day and then to their local ‘sangha’ the very next day. Before both feasts began, the patrons said a prayer that both their parents and grandparents would take the credit for the food alms they distributed for the feasts. Both times guardian angels in heaven wrote the patron’s filial actions inside the patron’s recorded books.
[It’s not what you believe that makes good works happen, but what you have done through action.]
[33] On the Tibetan Plateau
An American, visiting Tibet, wondered about Jesus and the Buddhist book that told of his journey east of the Euphrates and into South Asia. Then he also realized that if the Christians made prayer wheels at monasteries in America, just as they are done on the mountains of East Asia, they would be awesome prayer wheels as well.
[One can learn a lot from Buddhism and Confucianism. Especially if one realizes that just because someone is a eclectic monotheist, it doesn’t mean they are lost.]
[34] On the Refutation of Icons
A Protestant preacher, who wanted to get more people to stop worshiping icons, so that his flock would direct their prayers more towards God instead, used to tell them the following story… What if one day you decided to use your very own time, effort and money to build a park for people to come and rest inside of and to sit in its shade. Then on the day you finished building the park, you invited your friends and family and kinsman to a great feast you were giving. At the beginning of the feast a stranger stood up and spoke out loud: “You see this grand feast and this grand park all of you people? I built all these things with my own hands and with my own sweat and wallet. Now come and give me the credit for this feast and park!” Then everyone got up and applauded him and gave him the credit for building the park and for giving the feast; however, none of the people gave you any credit for either the feast or the park. Now wouldn’t that make you more than upset as well, if someone also took the total credit for your own labor and actions?
[In the same way, the one true God (in heaven) is being robbed of worship (and thanks) through icons and sorcery.]
[35] A Question for Elysium’s Orator
A young reporter once asked Marcus Tully Cicero why it was prudent to imitate historical figures in life. “Seneca imitated Cato, and I imitated Demosthenes (in oratory) and Plato (in philosophy)… is there anything wrong with that?”
[You must have your own two feet, but never think the patterns of others cannot inspire you.]
[36] The Day of Judgment
On the great day of God’s wrath, men and women, of all nations and planets and galaxies, will stand on the right side and on the left side facing God. After everyone bends their knees to adore God, the almighty, some who know scripture will say: “We are saved, for we are standing on the right side of all people and facing God the almighty. Then an angel of Heaven will give them a scolding, saying: “Then you have read the scriptures wrongly. For, you would be saved if you were standing on the left side of the crowd. For, it is God’s right side facing us, his right hand, which are those who will be saved!”
[Many people will have their hearts broken at the Judgment, since they read the scriptures in their past life but did not understand them.]
[37] The Day of Judgment
On the great day of God’s wrath, the victors will be handed their books politely by the angels, and they will be taken to gardens of paradise. They will be given shade, delicious drinks, and clusters of fruit to dine on. One of them may say, looking down and afar: “Look at those men, women and jinn entering hell’s fire… If it wasn’t for God’s love and compassion… that drove me to do the good works for the poor in my past life… I would surely have been among the destroyed!”
[There are many theories about those who stand on the Day of Wrath and what must be done to be saved. John the Baptist’s saying, for all people, is one of the best. Luke 3:11.]
[38] The Day of Judgment
On the great day of God’s wrath, many people will realize that Hell is just one sort of punishment for the sinners of the Universe. The other punishment will be God’s rejection (and the angel’s rejection) of them on that day.
[At the Judgment, people will have wished they had given to charity like the saints did, and many more will wish they were devout Muslims in their past lifetime.]
[39] The Olive Stalks
A planter went out to his fields to plant olive stalks. Some he planted lazily in the ground (and covered them up hastily), some he didn’t even dig for (but just threw them onto the ground carelessly), and some olive stalks he did care for, and dug them a good foundation—packed down the soil all around them to keep out the heat and the cold—and those latter stalks (which he did care for) grew into mighty olive trees that produced much fruit, which the planter later vindicated after their hundredth anniversary of being planted.
[Do not worry about who will be allowed to enter the Kingdom of God at the Judgment; and which tribes and nations will enter through its gates. What truly matters is that you first pave the way for yourself, and then your own parents, and finally your family members afterwards. What truly matters most is that you are not among the lost. For, if you are among the lost, these words you are reading will mean nothing to you.]
[40] On Virtue
Cato, a Roman who was slow learned in his youth, kept at his rhetorical and philosophical studies with great persistence and patience in his childhood and adolescence. After studying for many years, and for so many long hours, without giving his life to diversion or sport, he became one of the most gifted statesmen in Roman history. One of his greatest gifts was the ability to talk for many hours at length without pause. If you needed just one politician to do a filibuster back in Roman Republican times: that man was Cato. He also inspired Seneca in his ambitions. This Seneca was the friend of St. Paul. And I believe he is still his friend to this day—in another place in the Universe, that is.
[That just goes to show you what virtue (or practice) can do for you even if you are not the brightest kid on the block.]
[41] On Attaining the Superego and Keeping It
In a small swamp in southern China, there lived a 10 pound snapping turtle. The turtle thought that he was so strong that he need not fear the frogs, snakes and crocodiles of his very own native habitat—to the point where he never backed down from a fight—since, he always considered his opponent to be weaker them himself. One day, however, he saw a baby elephant walking through the edge of the swamp; at which (not seeing an elephant before in its life), he became so frightened at this strange, new, and gigantic sight that he quickly dived under the water to the deepest part of the swamp and hid there for the rest of the day.
[Courage may be a noble thing, but it is really just in your mind.]
[42] On Finding the Ego and Losing It
In southern China, lived a courageous 12 pound snapping turtle who one day decided to eat some grass on the outskirts of his watery habitat. While on the shore, a large elephant passing by, accidentally stepped on the turtle—crushing it deeper into the muddy swamp below. The turtle, who was angry, yelled out to the giant elephant: “Get off me, or I will run you through!” The elephant, which could hardly stop himself from laughing, picked up the turtle with its long trunk and hurled it back into the watery depths of the swamp. “That should cool you down,” chided the elephant. “Be glad I am all so easy going, unlike my kinsmen!”
[When we escape death with hardly any injury, we should be all too glad to learn from our mistakes.]
[43] On Concentrating while Reading
A young man once asked his mentor about what advice he could give for better reading habits. The mentor replied: “I have several rules for such activity, my child: 1) Don’t let the large amount of words on the page, you are reading, to enter your peripheral vision’s concentration and to intimidate you, but rather concentrate on the immediate words you are reading: one word at a time, and 2) Although, you maybe somewhat aware of your eyes when reading, try not to control your mind’s job of analyzing what you are reading: let the mind act automatically on its own if you can, and 3) If you have recently read a lot lately and have a headache, don’t read again until the headache is gone.”
[Sometimes we know the answers to our very own questions, but we still need reassurance from our elders to give us confidence.]
[44] A Frog’s Sermon
An elderly frog once instructed his tadpoles on God’s implementation of the justice system on Earth. "Now," said the frog. "The three major grouping of law were:
1) The simple laws analogous to a tooth for a tooth. And...
2) British-U.S. tort law that replaces a tooth for a tooth with monetary (or other types of) compensation rulings for the plaintiff. And...
3) Laws that only true saints of God live by. The plaintiff seeking no retribution (forgives wrongs) for the sake of God and reward from God (in the present and later on) and mainly for Treasure in Heaven."
The frog concluded the sermon by saying: “The first law is basically primitive law, but a necessary one, where there are not many institutions or barristers or law courts. The second law is basically a more humane law for both defendants and plaintiffs that only a modern prosperous country with many institutions and lawyers can promote. And the third law is the law of Christianity and the Koran. The first type of law exists because of a lack of modern civilization, the second law exists because of a prosperous modern civilization, and the third law exists mainly for people (or saints) concerned about the Day of Judgment and the Kingdom of Heaven.”
[It is good to seek justice to root out all sorts of evil. However, people should remember that we are not released until we have paid the last penny.]
[45] On Two Great Sages
When Cicero was proscribed, he stuck out his neck (a second time) so that the traveling executioner could cut it off more easily. And when Seneca was on the point of death, he dictated a dissertation to his friends to write down as he was dying. Both men were great saints and both men lived chaste and holy lives, and both men were murdered by fools.
[Philosophers say that one must understand life before one can face death; and one must choose the best path to life so one does not become nefarious—like some kind of precious spice that has lost its flavor.]
[46] The Ark of the Covenant
When the angel and his comrades are allowed, by God, to rediscover the Ark of the Covenant in a cave on Mount Nebo, many will probably ask themselves: “Why did Uzzah die just when he was trying to steady the Ark, but the angel’s friends are not being destroyed as they are carrying it now towards Jerusalem?” The angel may answer them this way: “Because of the piety (and Treasure in Heaven) those men own are a true surety that is saving them from dying in the presence of the Holy Ark of the Covenant.”
[Sometimes it takes true almsgivers to do pious works as a team.]
[47] On the Futility of Mortal Kingships
After the Vandals captured much of North Africa, where there once was the famous empire of the Carthaginians, their empire was destroyed during the expensive and warlike reign of the Emperor Justinian. Although, Justinian did reunite the Eastern Roman and Western Roman empires, not long after he died the empire was ruined again by barbarians and the debilitating effects of the Dark Age.
[Although the idea of Camelot may exist on this Earth, it is not meant to exist for any great length of time until Christ returns.]
[48] On the Koran
Caravans of camels cross the deserts (of rock, sand, and dust) like great flotillas of trade ships crossing the vast barren oceans.
[There is probably nothing more romantic about the desert than the teachings of the Koran. Its romanticism has inspired much love for adventure and much curiosity for the deserts of our great expansive world.]
[49] The Great feeling of Political Invidiousness
There once was a stream that branched off from the Amazon River with many twists and turns. At the end of this stream, there existed a giant stork which would eat the Amazon’s animals whenever they crossed its path. Not being able to stop the murder of their fellow animals, many signs were put up by the toads, parrots and piranhas to avoid that part of the stream by way of detouring around the storks path. Not getting enough food to satisfy its hunger, the giant stork moved upstream until it was killed by a turbulent whirlpool.
[Satirists throughout the world spring up when there is great wealth but also great tyranny. Since its introduction to literature, satire has gained the strength so it can never be suppressed and, also, so it can do some suppressing itself.]
[50] Ice Cream Here and There
A tourist, who loved to eat ice cream, went to a little ice cream shop located on one of the beaches of the Mediterranean Coast. “This is some of the best ice cream I ever had,” said the tourist to the ice cream store sales manager. “Yes it is,” replied the sales manager. “We don’t weaken its taste with an excess of air, but we mash it together and make a creamier product.”
[Sometimes it is quality that matters in life and not just the quantity of something.]
[51] The 100 Foot Megladon and the SCUBA Diver
There was a SCUBA diver, diving off the coast of Catalina, California, who was looking for some abalone to eat; and feeling somewhat suspicious in his nerves, he suddenly turned around and saw a 100 foot Megladon with its jaws agape. Knowing that he was doomed, the SCUBA diver yelled out at the shark to try to scare him away, “What are you doing here in these modern times?” “What are you talking about?” beamed the shark. “Be glad that your death will be swift!” And then the shark swallowed the diver in one large gulp.
[You might not see a 60 to a 100 foot Megladon when you go SCUBA diving, but the truth is, that doesn’t mean they are not out there!]
[52] The Christian man and the Jewish man
A Christian man, who was reading a portion of the Talmud concerned with the wickedness of usury, nodded his head in thanksgiving towards the Jewish man. “It says here that the Jewish people should have nothing to do with usury, for both Jewish believers and gentiles alike. I never knew that was in your oral law,” remarked the Christian man. The Jewish man smiled and said, “If you just base your judgments on us through one or two books, you will be greatly mislead about us as a people!”
[Do a thorough study of a people before you pass judgment on them as a collective whole.]
[53] The Emperor Justinian and the Establishment of the Hagia Sophia
The eastern Roman emperor, the Emperor Justinian, dedicated the largest church built in the 6th century AD [during the classical period], to the Lady Wisdom. That church has remained to this day. Plus, its mosaics of Christ and the Virgin Mary are still in tact.
[Although, idols should be destroyed since they are nefarious images of false gods, I don’t necessarily believe that tapestries and religious mosaics should be taken down. For mosaics are not idols and idols are not mosaics. But that doesn’t mean there should be an excess of mosaics in any particular church. And mosaics should not be worshipped or prayed towards.]
[54] The End of Nefarious Traditions
On the rapture ARK, the New Saul will do away with the celebration of Halloween totally.
Some young man may ask, “Why did the New Saul get rid of Halloween?”
His dad will answer his son, “Because it dishonors the dead and celebrates the forces of evil.”
[Some celebrations should not be continued even though they are traditional in someone’s home country.]
[55] The Destruction of Terrorists
A terrorist leader was being interrogated by the FBI in a Federal Prison. One FBI man asked, “I read The Holy Koran, like you do, and it says, in The Holy Koran, not to destroy one’s self, with one’s own hands. Why do you condone suicide bombings then?” The terrorist leader spoke up, “You have to realize that it’s the only option we have left! Now let me go a free man…” The FBI agent sternly replied to this, “I will certainly not let you go! You just testified against yourself by saying that you would rather break Allah’s laws and die than to adhere to Allah’s laws and die! You terrorists certainly want to do evil in the land!”
[Terrorists should realize that their tactics are nefarious and diabolical to begin with and are not condoned by the Creator.]
[56] Charles Dicken’s Christmas Carol
The tale of Scrooge should be a lesson in giving to all mankind. Salvation shouldn’t be taken lightly, but that doesn’t mean you should go crazy and out of your wits end for the sake of wondering if you make it to the Kingdom of God or not. The lessons of St. John the Baptist are simple: “Someone has no clothing: give him some clothing for free. And someone has no food: give him some food for free.” And if you are really stressed out about the Kingdom than do much more of these same things.
[Find out what you need to get done for salvation, and then do those same things many times over the course of your life. Matthew 25:31-46.]
[57] The LRSU unit and the Older Veteran
At a reunion for L.R.P. units, who served as reconnaissance troops during the Vietnam War,
one modern day LRSU soldier complained about his Army designation to one LRP veteran.
“We do the same reconnaissance missions, that your LRPs did in ‘Nam, but we are called LRSU (or Lursu) units instead of LRPs (Lurps) and it's really depressing.” The old veteran replied to this: “Your telling me? The U.S. Army was so embarrassed about successful units and ethical units fighting in Vietnam that they changed the name from LRPs to LRSUs. It’s depressing for you and also depressing for me at the same time…”
[There is nothing worse socially than a political body that sends brave men and women off to war, but is embarrassed to acknowledge their sacrifices later on in their lifetime.]
[58] The Catechism of the Catholic Church
A parishioner at a catholic church in Pennsylvania once made the comment: “This book The Catechism of the Catholic Church is really extensive in scope! Who exactly is going to read this entire book?”
[Sometimes something is written for only a select few. Sometimes something is written just to make sure all of the bases are covered.]
[59] The Prosciutto and the Romano Cheese
A young man, who wanted to try prosciutto for the first time, took a piece of prosciutto off a desert tray, and he wrapped it around a piece of Romano cheese and popped it in his mouth. “Damn,” said the young man, “this cheese taste better than the cured pork itself!”
[There is nothing bad about eating Kosher, especially when that Kosher meal tastes
better than the forbidden fruit itself. However, table salt should be the kind that has iodine in it to save oneself from getting a tumor in one’s neck.]
[60] Why Fables are Created?
There are certain reasons why fables, or parables, are made. Some fables are made to bring light to an oppressive tyranny. Some fables are spoken to keep wisdom within a select few of listeners. And sometimes fables are made just for fun. I believe all three of these reasons for fables are justification in themselves for such patterns of thought.
[One of the great things about fables is that I believe they hardly bring harm to anyone. But, of course, there is an exception to every rule.]
[61] The One that saw Correctly
Three times the mountain wolves came down from the hills to try to hunt for beavers in their island stronghold. Each time they did so the beavers would destroy the top portion of their huge dam so the wolves could not cross over to their island. Before leaving the hills for their next attempt, one of the wolves stood out in their midst saying: "Let's send out a smaller party in advance to take the dam before the beavers destroy are plans once again!"
[Do not take too long to learn from simple mistakes.]
[62] The Camel in the Desert
A man dying of thirst in the desert saw a camel in the distance. The man used all of his strength to reach the camel. But as soon as he grabbed the camel by the neck it ran off. "Woe is me!" cried the man. "My salvation was in my hands and not in my feet!"
[Hope must be tempered with wisdom.]
[63] A Whale or a Shark
A woman who fell overboard in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean saw her life raft ten meters away. Suddenly a large fish-like animal started swimming towards her on the surface from the opposite direction. Not knowing whether it was a whale or a shark, the woman was paralyzed with fear and didn't know what to do. Finally the fish, which was a large shark, swallowed her whole.
[Fear can destroy you if you give it enough time.]
[64] The House and the Tornado
There was a Midwestern man from the city who bought a house in the suburbs without a basement. He figured he could save money by installing one himself. However, before he could build a basement a tornado came and killed him inside his home.
[Money should not be honored more than one's life.]
[65] The Two Humanists
One day Michel De Montaigne and Niccolo Machiavelli were arguing with each other saying that they themselves were the better philosopher. A student of both men walked up and said: "Reading both your written works is better than reading just one of them."
[Getting a college education is a win-win situation.]
[66] The Weak Soldier
A young man enlisted into the Army at the age of seventeen. Although he was scrawny and weak in appearance at the time of enlistment, he (after many years of soldiering) reached his early prime in the Army as a fierce and muscular soldier.
[Even cowards can become brave and strong with enough training and application.]
[67] The Two Generals
Two armies were fighting on the battlefield for control of the continent. One general told his subordinate officers to lay a trap for the enemy like pretending to be frightened rabbits. The other general never read inside of any history book describing the trap being laid, so he mistakenly sent his forward cavalry into the trap were they were ambushed and killed.
[Parables and fables can have as much good instruction in them as historical facts.]
[68] The Two Insects
A locust was having a hard time supporting a crumb of bread on its head as it trudged along. An ant walked by easily carrying a much bigger piece on its back. "How are you able to carry such a huge crumb with such ease?" asked the locust. The ant answered back: "Maybe because I've been doing this all of my life!"
[A person can be good at almost anything with enough time and effort.]
[69] The Scales
There was a good farmer who brought his bell-peppers to the town market for sale. As he was being paid by one of the vendors, he noticed that another farmer was receiving much more per pound for his produce. Curiously, the good farmer asked why he got less money for his bell-peppers. The vendor replied: "Oh, I pay extra to that farmer because he's married to my cousin."
[To be truly aided by friends, family, country, strangers, or even Jesus Christ: one must first try to benefit them.]
[70] The Whale and the Shark
On a stormy day, a whale and a shark decided to make a truce for an hour or two, so they could navigate better near the ocean's surface. As they were enjoying each other's company a life raft suddenly came into view. Coming for a closer look it seemed that there were some people inside. "Let's destroy the raft and make a meal of the people!" commented the hungry shark. That was when the whale turned and swatted the shark with its giant tale. Reeling in pain the shark speedily swam away. "Serves you right," retorted the whale. "You forgot that I save people, not eat them!"
[Be cautious on who is seated next to you. You don't know if there next action will be good or bad.]
[71] Socrates' Relativity
Two young men of Athens, who were heading towards school in the morning, were both at opposite ends of the spectrum as to whether the dinner-party they went to last night did any good for their pleasure. "The wine was just too much for me to handle..." said one youth. "Heck, I enjoyed both wine and fruit!" commented the other. When they arrived at school, they told Socrates their differences of opinion. "Is there any reason for your astonishment?" asked Socrates. "Just because something is good for one person, doesn't mean it is good for someone else."
[Everything is relative for two or more people.]
[72] The Laws of Life
A freshman girl sat down for her first class of High School. She noticed two people sat in front of her (in the same row) that were polar opposites in character: one being a tough jock and the other an older (but definitely shorter) teenage girl who was the captain of the chess club. The jock began to irritate the girl in front of him when she suddenly turned around and let him have it with a wind of words. The freshman was surprised that the jock backed down and apologized after.
[There are laws with everything in our universe. The more you know these laws the more successful you will be in life.]
[73] The Measure of a Monarch
A lion-king of the forest died, so all of the creatures of the
forest came to the royal palace to watch the coronation of the former monarch's eldest son. The animals all unanimously
shouted the virtues of the new king with applause. However, a wise, old owl came forward and said: "The new king may have a
lot of strong young animals to enforce the laws, but where are all of his elders?"
[Wise older men should be your councillors,
not rash, reckless youths.]
[74] Of what can we be certain?
A teenage youth was bragging to his friends that once he finished high school he would definitely become a U.S. Navy Seal.
One of his friends wanted to know how prepared he was, so he asked him a few questions. "Are you a strong swimmer?
Do you do well at long distance running? Can you do a lot of pull ups, sit ups, and push ups?" When his friend replied to each
question in the negative, he remarked: "Maybe you should rethink your occupation specialty before joining the military?"
[We are mistaken through abstract reasoning, but not reasoning through particulars.]
[75] On Good Men
A youth once asked Socrates on who it would be best to make friends with? Socrates replied that the best friends you can have are good men.
But the youth asked: "How do I know how to recognize a good man?" Socrates replied: "It's easiest if you first become a good
man yourself."
[A good education should be used to get good grades, but also in developing one's character.]
[76] Confucius and the Golden Carriage
One summer morning, Confucius was walking towards the imperial palace of Chou, to give a lecture to some students, when a golden carriage pulled up next to him. “Where are you headed too, Confucius?” asked the Duke’s son. “Where else am I going, but to give a lecture on virtue to some students at your dad’s residence?” “Let me give you a lift!” voiced the Duke’s son. “No thanks,” replied Confucius. “But why not?” asked the Duke’s son. Confucius smiled then reasoned seriously: “Because virtue must not only be written down on scrolls, young man, it must also be practiced!”
[One shouldn’t just talk the talk but also walk the walk, and one must also avoid trouble when possible.]
[77] Mencius and Einstein
One day Einstein and Mencius were bicycling together on the bicycle path. Einstein asked Mencius if he knew any other way to instruct students besides lecturing. “Not that I know of…” replied Mencius. “But you, Mencius, are teaching me how to become better at politics by being a good friend, bicycling with me!” retorted Einstein. “That may be true,” Mencius responded slyly, “but most of the time it is lecturing that counts!”
[In life, one must not only walk the walk, but never forget one must also talk the talk.]
[78] Men Hiking in the Woods
Two men were hiking in the great outdoors when they came upon a cabin in the woods.
An old mountain man came out of his cabin and started shooting bullets at the two men.
“We’re doomed!” yelled one of the men. The other man yelled back as he began running for his life:
“You should have mentioned that there was a cabin here! Now we must flee for our lives…”
“Don’t blame me,” replied the first man who was out of breath, “this cabin in the woods is more than I ever knew before!”
[One must be cautious wherever one goes, and one should never jump to rash conclusions about safety.]
[79] The Mean Catfish
A small group of people were fishing for catfish in the Mississippi River when all of a sudden a thirty-foot long monster catfish started charging and devouring all of the people in the river. Running for the safety of dry land, one woman screamed in terror at the catfish: “Why do you dare eat us, fiend! I now feel like a cannibal!” “I’m glad” charged the catfish at the woman. Then burping up human flesh, the catfish took aim at the foolhardiness of the people who finally made it to dry land. “Now that the tables are turned I see that all of you have no stomach for the fight!”
[No matter how unjust we feel animals are, it is conceivable that animals have suffered more at the hands of human beings than human beings have suffered at the hands of animals.]
[80] A Giant Gorilla attacks Gotham
It seems that a giant two-hundred foot tall gorilla was destroying some industrial factories of Gotham City when a B-52
bomber-plane came out of the sky and bombed him to death. As the giant gorilla was dying, he said remorsefully to himself:
“I thought I only had to deal with tanks, machine guns and artillery. Now flying men have defeated me….”
[No matter how tough you are, there is always something man made that can humble you.]
[81] On the Strengths and Weaknesses of Legalism
A precocious young man was bringing his uncle to court because he had several petty grievances against him.
And although his parents tried to dissuade him from such a rash prosecution, the youth was still adamant about his decision.
[Some may want to get rid of Tort Law because it is ethically unsound. But if you get rid of Tort Law what
will you have left in the Legal System to cover the rest of all of the legal points?]
[82] The Ethical Values of Pastor Increase Mather
A 17th century preacher named Increase Mather once preached that sleeping in church can get you condemned to the Lake of Fire.
Once day a young man approached him and asked him why he was so harsh against people who slept in church? Increase Mather replied:
“If we let people get away with sleeping in church what else would we allow them to get away with?”
[It is better to sometimes be harsh in preaching so that people can commit as much virtuous acts as they possibly can—especially at church.]
[83] A Young Man’s Scholarly Anger
A young man loved Marcus Cicero’s two treatises called On Friendship and On Old Age. He was delighted when he was able to purchase both treatises in one single volume from the internet for a very low price. When he bought the book, the young man got angry when he found one or more typos on every page of the book he bought. But then he thought to himself that he was acting as slavish as an unreasonable perfectionist or even a ridiculous spoiled brat.
[Life is not always perfect. We can complain about the books we read, but let us not go and complain too excessively.]
[84] The Question concerning Wisdom
Benjamin Franklin was once asked by a young man what particular series of books, besides the Word of God,
would help him gain knowledge. Benjamin Franklin emphasized that the best books for him to read would be
Plutarch’s Lives.
[I conceive that Plutarch’s Lives are better to read than his Essays. I also think that his Roman Lives are more ethically clean than his Greek Lives.]
[85] On one of Shakespeare’s Plays
Someone once asked Shakespeare why his Anthony and Cleopatra play was so popular when Augustus Caesar won in the end. Shakespeare confidently responded by saying: “Augustus Caesar was not invincible. He just got lucky at Actium. And as far as Anthony and Cleopatra are concerned, all lovers want to be just like them, but a lot of it has to do with this difference: they like to imagine Anthony and Cleopatra winning in the end.”
[It’s fun to imitate great people of the past. Even more fun to imagine that they come out on top in the end.]
[86] On Galen
A person once thought that they had the credentials of a modern medical doctor just because they studied
Galen's writings. But as soon as they entered the Emergency Room that same person was automatically
revealed to all of the nurses and doctors as someone different.
[Do not forget that it is the present institution and its scholars that one needs to learn how to be an expert at whatever one is focused on.]
[87] Benjamin Franklin’s Elysium Vacation
Benjamin Franklin was enjoying himself on the beach, reading a book while resting on a rattan chair. A female passerby curiously asked him: “Why do you still read books when there is so much to see in Elysium?” Benjamin Franklin responded to the young woman in an all serious tone: “Young girl, it is for the very reason that I want to know what I am looking at and also to know what I cannot fathom!”
[If one is wise, books can also give additional street smarts to a avid reader.]
[88] The Youth and the War
A young man wanted to join his fellow townsmen in fighting a war oversees from his country of origin.
He was turned down by the doctors because he had health issues. Listening to the radio one day that same youth found out that the entire
Army Company made up of his home town fellows was wiped out by an enemy surprise attack.
[What you might think is bad for you at any one particular time in your life could very well be your salvation.]
[89] The Turtle and the Cactus
A turtle came up to a cactus at the edge of the desert and asked it why it chose to live in such a desolate and barren environment.
The cactus replied: “That’s easy for you to decide: you’ve got legs!”
[Sometimes people have advantages that they don’t even know they own.]
[90] The Tree and the Road
A tree about to be cut down by a lumberjack blamed a nearby road for it’s soon to be extinction. The road laughed when he heard what the tree was accusing him of. “Laugh all you want,” said the tree, “once I and my fellow forest dwellers are gone, there will be no need for you!”
[People may think they’re superior to other people, but that doesn’t mean they will be superior for all time.]
[91] The Old Tree in the Swamp
There once lived an ancient tree in a swamp on the outskirts of Venice. After living many years in peace and prosperity the tree became the victim of many outrages by the creatures living in the vicinity. First the army ants would crawl up its trunk to cut apart and attack its leafage. Then the swamp moccasins would dig up the mud around its roots. And lastly the large vultures would nest in the tree’s support structure at its very top. Having enough of all this the tree yelled out: “I will have no more to do with you all!” “That’s what you think,” said the creatures. “We know you have no easy method to get rid of us!”
[In times of plenty and security, one must practice for any future hardship.]
[92] Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare
A young student of the humanities was perusing the native books that were born in Great Britain’s distant past, when a instructor came by and asked him how he liked Chaucer and Shakespeare. “I don’t like them at all,” pronounced the youth. “They take the ancient Greeks and make them medieval knights before the time of Christianity!” The instructor scolded the youth and said: “It’s not a lack of history that makes your tastes dislikable but your lack of imagination!”
[One should not take critics seriously when they have a lack of good breeding.]
[93] The Vanity of certain works of Fiction
In a distant country, a young man who was not more than 12 years of age was praised for writing a 280 page novel. A passerby who read the book said: “It’s true that he wrote a lot of words, but they are all basically a collection of foul wind!”
[Do not be proud of how many words you write, but rather of the good philosophy that can turn darkness into light.]
[94] On The Columbian Orator
Once an old female expert at speaking asked a young girl how she liked the American book ‘The Columbian Orator?’ “I like it a lot,” voiced the young girl. “I just wish it could teach me more tricks….”
[Are tricks really needed to make a person seem well educated? Is it not rather on how much experience a person has in education instead?]
[95] Aesop the Great
One day Aesop was giving a speech before a group of students inside an Athenian arena. The students would cheer him on when he gave a fable, but boo him when he talked about politics. “That’s quite enough,” shouted Aesop. “It’s not your discipline that’s lacking but a lack of good manners.”
[How can anyone make progress if they do not mix their learning with good ethics?]
[96] The Playwright
In ancient Rome, there was a playwright who mixed both tragic acting with spurts of light comedy. Some of his critics said that if he just stuck to one type of subject matter he would be more successful in the future.
[Critics have only one good eye: the one that sees what’s out of the ordinary.]
[97] On the Great Xenocrates
A woman once knocked on Xenocrates front door and asked if she could spend the night at his house. He allowed the woman inside but told her no funny business even though he was still not married. Xenocrates only had one couch to sleep on so he shared it with the woman. And although the woman tried to seduce and importune Xenocrates all night she could not. In the morning, she made the remark that he was more of a philosopher than a man.
[A good deed doesn’t necessarily have to end in the prison-of-sin just because one is single.]
[98] The Horse and the Goat
A horse and goat were being driven on by their master when the goat asked the horse to carry some of the goat’s heaviest burden. “I would,” replied the horse, “but you must also shoulder your load.” A few miles later, the goat died of exhaustion. Then the master put the goat’s old burden (and even the goat himself) on top of the horse to carry.
[I believe one should try to do something when one’s brother cries out for help.]
[99] The Fire Engine and the Ambulance
A fire engine was racing towards a emergency in town, and an ambulance was trying to get to the hospital to save a life, when, to their surprise, everyone on the road gave them the space they needed with the greatest courtesy and care.
[Taking part in government can also just mean obeying the law of the land.]
[100] Plato and Aristotle
One day Aristotle and Plato were walking near the Lyceum of Athens and Aristotle questioned Plato:
“Why do you favor other students over me? I am more intelligent, committed and a better academic.” Plato replied, “Your dedication is not in question, but rather your affection for your instructor.”
[Sometimes empathy and friendliness will build you a better portfolio than hard work.]
[101] St. Paul and St. Augustine
In the Elysium Fields, Augustine once asked Paul if he could find any fault with his preaching and pattern of education.
“Not quite yet,” voiced Paul, “but changing the Decalogue’s second commandment was not a good move after all!”
[St. Augustine was great bishop and great writer, but he should not have changed the second commandment of the Ten Commandments.]
[102] Hippocrates and Galen
Galen was boasting to Hippocrates one day that he was more of a favorite of Aesculapius than Hippocrates was. Hippocrates, however, denied this claim. And that’s when the great Muslim physician Ibn Sina chimed in and said: “You are both great doctors in my opinion!”
[No one should boast just because they have already out-classed their peers in many respects.]
[103] The Rabbit and the Slug
A rabbit and a slug wanted to prove to one another that they were the better creature, so they decided to race a 4-mile run proving their superiority to one another. Halfway through the course, the rabbit took a nap on the side of the road believing he had all the time in the world to win the race. The slug, slowly but truly, made it to the halfway point and spotted the rabbit sleeping. As soon as the rabbit could no longer be seen behind the slug, the slug continued on at half the pace it was traveling at before. Getting near to the finish line, the slug saw the rabbit come up from behind and out distance the slug to the finish line. “Woe is me!” said the slug. “If only I had kept up the previous tempo, my symphony would be rejoicing with me right now and at the finish line!”
[A slower runner should never take a faster runner for granted.]
[104] An Egyptian Scholar
Amen-em-ope (of the Thirty Sayings) was one day instructing one of his students on becoming a respectable courtier. “Never take your lord for granted! Whether your lord be a duke or a king, lad.” “I will not,” replied the student, “I have had practice enough already, in the respecting of a nobleman, from your own kingliness as an instructor!”
[The majority of good students who graduate from school are those who honor and respect their educators.]
[105] The Ethiopian Soldier and the Pharaoh’s Henchmen
One of the Egyptian pharaohs, who tried to conquer upper Egypt, had his henchmen confront an single Ethiopian soldier that was blocking a road on a narrow pass. The pharaoh yelled at the Ethiopian in anger: “What happened to all of your friends?” “What else,” yelled back the Ethiopian soldier. “They ran to save their lives, and I am left here to guard the pass!” Astonished at the bravery of the Ethiopian, the pharaoh commented: “We need to save him and get him into our ranks as fast as possible!”
[The true traits of a person who has quality and loyalty will always stand out!]
[106] The Hyena and the Lion
One day a large group of animals went to see how their noble matriarch was faring after she gave birth to a lion cub. “I still don’t get it!” replied the Hyena. “It’s just one cub the lion gave birth too…” Therein the cub’s mother replied: “Yes, but as you can see, he has the best fangs and claws!” With that the lion snarled at the Hyena in disdain for his arrogant attitude. Walking backwards, away from the lion, the Hyena said: “That may be true, but this world is still a crazy place!”
[Throughout life, you should try not to be a bad ruler nor should you be a bad suppliant.]
[107] On Hippocrates
The immortal shade Aesculapius, also know as Asclepius, inspired many men and women to take up the craft of medicine. One of his greatest students was Hippocrates of Ancient Greece. Many of Hippocrates doctrines are resurfacing into the present. For example, how the weather and physical suffering (e.g. arthritis) in a patient are intertwined. Hippocrates and Galen are living documents that should be read by everyone fascinated by our scientific origins.
[The past is old because it is many years, not because it is obsolete.]
[108] The Dolphin and the Orangutan
One day an Orangutan was playing too near to shore in bad weather and was swept out to sea by a giant wave. Not knowing what to do, the Orangutan started to cry out until he saw a shark circling him. A dolphin nearby asked the Orangutan if he lived in the city. Not knowing what to say, the Orangutan foolishly said that he did. That’s when the dolphin called him a liar, but still made the shark withdraw from his threatening the Orangutan. When the Orangutan asked the dolphin, why he saved him, though he was a malefactor for lying, the dolphin responded: “I’m a sucker for the simple. Why should I let you die, though, when I’ve already seen so much death in the past!”
[A lot of time mercy is brought on by strict, goodly ethics.]
[109] The Kings James Bible
In 1611, an English translation of the Old and New Testaments was printed for the English speaking world, by King James of England. My personal opinion is that it is the greatest translation, into the English language, of any English language Bible in history. And I, who am stating this, am a practicing Catholic!
[Beauty, in the written word, should not be denied in the universe because of previous loyalties.]
[110] The Spartans and the Ambassador
A great Persian ambassador once asked the Spartan rulers for them to accept an invitation of earth and water. As the ambassador was leaving, a Spartan soldier commented that the Persians were an extremely greedy people who wanted to take over their barley fields. “Not so,” said the Spartan King. “They want our frontier bases and posts, and not our barley bread!”
[It can be very deceiving in trying to figure out what strangers really want from you. Be on your guard!]
[111] On Machiavelli
Machiavelli is known as the first true political scientist. People may look down on his wonderful book The Prince and call it evil, but I won't. He was also, I believe, in great favor of Republics, as proven by his book: The Discourses on Livy. I admire the man because he was in favor of strong Republics and flourishing Monarchies. This makes his two books very saintly.
[Do not judge a book by its cover. And try not to be prejudiced towards a book until you read it.]
[112] On Confucius and Terms
Definitions and Terms are everywhere throughout the planet's various languages. This is why both Confucius and Socrates tried to fix what political terms went with what definitions. Every area of learning has its own terminology. To begin to understand an area of knowledge, one must first try to learn that particular area of terms and their definitions. I guess a lot of laypeople take terms for granted since we have so many dictionaries we can buy at the bookstore or borrow from the library. This is one reason education is so important to a prospective student.
[Terms and their Definitions should never be taken for granted.]
[113] Do not curse a Ruler of your People
In ancient Gaul, there was a Roman Governor in charge of the north-western portion of the Rhine river. Several of his newly retired soldiers were forced to stay in military service but wanted to return home to their families and loved ones. The governor wouldn't allow it, so some of his troops eventually mutinied. The governor shortly then had fifty of them beheaded. Some friends of the murdered soldiers snuck into the general's tent later on that night and murdered him.
[When someone says there is no one too weak to revenge themselves on a politically strong person they are uttering a great platitude. However, most people who like this saying secretly wish they were rulers themselves and are jealous of current rulers. And not because they believe in justice for all men.]
[114] Wicked Insects
A woman once discovered a chain of ants inside her house and then started to smash them with the hard bottom of her leather shoe. One indignant ant asked the woman: "Why are you doing this injustice, lady? You never attacked us outside your home?" But the woman responded: "Because outside you are just insects, while inside my house you are all thieves!"
[While growing up, children and youths should be taught to learn what is permissable and what is not.]
[115] Surviving the Bushveld
In the plains of southern Africa, there lived a most pious wildebeest matriarch and the very great herd that she belonged to. As she got older, more and more lion attacks ravaged her herd. So that pious wildebeest matriarch prayed to heaven to replace the pride of lions with some other type of animal to rule the plains. About a month later all of the lions died from a disease caused by tainted water. Many hyenas soon took over as the plain's top predators. This group of predators were now worse than the lions and more and more wildebeest perished because of them. Noticing the great crises at hand, the wildebeest matriarch prayed to heaven for the hyenas to die and go away. They went away in less than three weeks time. Then humans with spears and shields soon came onto the scene and killed off more than half the herd of wildebeest in less than two months time. Not knowing what to pray for next the matriarch asked the herd for help. One of the younger wildebeests told the matriarch to pray this time for the humans to die out and for the lions to come back since the first scenario was much better for the herd than the last two.
[Everyone must try to pay attention to detail concerning what they pray to heaven for.]
[116] Mashed Meat Anyone?
Two men were flying over the snowy mountains of northern Italy when their airplane suddenly ran out of fuel and crashed. When both pilot and copilot realized they were okay they decided to rummage through the cargo hold for food. The pilot lifted up a box of potted meat cans and smiled. "I'll never eat that stuff!" voiced the copilot with an angry grimace. "Oh, you'll eat it," said the pilot. "You'll just have to get into the hungry mood!"
[Human beings are like any wild animal. They will eat anything if they are hungry enough.]
[117] The Philosopher's famous Response
One day Aristotle, the great philosopher, was walking by a U.S. mainland airport when cargo crates and suitcases, filled with clothing and packaged foodstuffs, started to fall out of the sky and smash into the ground and pavement all around him. A business man came up to him from several yards away, asking him: "Aristotle, why is all of this happening? And for what reason is all this chaos going on?" The philosopher calmly and nonchalantly answered, in a low voice saying: "I don't know..."
[Just because someone is a wise man doesn't mean they have all of the answers to life.]
[118] Fire at Will!
In the summer of 1969, a group of eight NVA were marching through South Vietnam's sweltering jungle in single file order. They passed by an American LRP ambush team without being attacked. As the NVA left the area, the newbie LRP asked the LRP team leader why they didn't open fire. The team leader responded: "All of their weapons were at the ready. It is easier to ambush an enemy column when they are walking tired and carefree..."
[The more discipline one has the greater luck one has.]
[119] The First true Antibiotic
The Koran describes honey as a health food drug that bees create to be used as medicine for people. It's used for cuts, blemishes, and as a drink and bread sweetner. Honey can stay edible for thousands of years. If you have a cold, I think it's probable that eating honey can help cure you at a quicker pace over time.
[Honey truly is the food of wise mortals.]
[120] The Helper of Coinage
As a newly established printer, Benjamin Franklin was bothered by the fact that there wasn't enough paper money for people to pay for things in Philadelphia. Therefore he got his team of debators together and had them argue both pro and con on the issue. With enough facts collected and good arguments written down, he wrote an essay on the advantages of paper money. No one could come forth and write a response against the need for paper currency. After the public told their head politicians they absolutely needed paper currency, the politicians caved in and hired Benjamin Franklin to print tens of thousands of pounds of the cold hard cash. This was very profitable for Franklin's business and he soon printed over one hundred thousand pounds of the money. Perhaps that should show everyone the power of ink over mankind's livelihoods.
[If you have a good idea that's good for the public, please don't turn it into an Air-Castle that will never be known again.]
The End.
All texts are copyrighted by Michael Llenos 2019
Copyright Michael Llenos 2000-2019
Website: michael.www2.50megs.com