Man's Desires

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who overcomes his enemies. Aristotle

Socrates said, "To want nothing is divine". Probably true, but also impossible. I would add; to want what one has is contentment, to want what one does not have is frustration, and to want what one cannot have is torment.

Man's desire to be right in his beliefs and subjective opinions brings him torment. His beliefs cannot be proven, so he becomes angry and afraid when someone points out alternative opinions and beliefs. Notice how angry one becomes in social conversations when their subjective beliefs are challenged. Men become so passionate about their desires to be right that they are willing to kill.

Utopia is defined as an imaginary place existing only in the mind, therefore it cannot exist in the real world. I have no illusions that a near utopian world will exist by implementing my hope for a smaller government. I believe individual men will continue to kill because of their desires. I just believe groups, (states) have a better kill rate.

Man is a complex and amazing creation. He has made incredible discoveries in science, created marvelous tools, and given us beautiful art. Despite man's ability to do advance calculus and send a man to the moon, he still cannot control his passions to kill each other.

Confucius told a young protégé to avoid looking at a beautiful woman because it would create desire in the young man and he would be lost. Men must learn which desires are good for them and which are bad. Man must learn to control his desires instead of being a slave to his desires.

My ego is too old and tattered to care if I am right. I am like a First Officer who inquires, advocates, and critiques a decision the Captain has made. My hope is the Captain will make the right decision.

Bilbo Baggins