principles: the perils and the ecstasy of clinging to your ideals

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The way is light and fluid for the man with no preferences.
- Lao Tzu

Principles can wreak havoc in your life. When Galileo plea-bargained with the Catholics he let his values be publicly steamrolled. But secretly, he stayed anchored to his astronomical ideals (“Sure I’ll confess to heresy, just lock me up so I can get back to my white paper!) He played the system back.

Then we have guys like The Crucible’s John Proctor who let those “weighted with authority” push him to the brink of extreme choice: yes to our truth, means no to yours. John was unwilling to play along and the pilgrims hanged him. He stood his moral ground and left his wife a widow and his kids fatherless.

Saintly or stupido?

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posted 22 Jun 09 in: inspiration + spirituality articles   ·   tags:   ·   Comments

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  • I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.

    -Bertrand Russell
  • ooooo. slice and dice! I'm stealing this for my book. mwuah!
  • This story really isn't about ideals or principles. Looking at and beyond the struggle, I believe that Galileo did not have issues of Martyrhood, as John Proctor did. John Proctor's beliefs taught him to be exactly how his life ended, Martyrs never get what they want. Martyrhood begets a life of opportunities to be a martyr. Hoping for that "reward" for ones "good" work that somehow I am better for my struggle, I will be recognized. Usually ends up with just another chance to be misunderstood and unappreciated. A perfect example of why Christianity has never worked, for anyone. This has been ingrained in us, even if we are not Christians. A sad ending, for certain. Perhaps he went to heaven, too bad for everyone he left in pain.
  • I like the image of a supple tree with deep but widely spread roots bending in a strong wind. Being buffeted strengthens the roots, and only the weakest leaves and branches are lost. I have some deeply held beliefs, but with age, have learned to pick my battles. Just because silence often implies consent, staying silent doesn't mean that you can't bide your time with quiet conviction.

    This place is a wee treasure chest! I love not kowing what to expect when I visit.
  • I remember being younger and mommy combing my hair with a plastic comb that said "Unbreakable" on it. It caused me to shed many a tear as it had its way with my hair, day after day. It was my challenge in life to prove its name false. I bent it and slammed it in my door but it would never yield. I think your principles should be like that. They may cause you a little pain, end up making you look a little better, and be Unbreakable.
  • I think you should stick to your principles as long as they are relevant, not as long as they are convenient. Some things are worth fighting for or worth dying for, and some things are not. It's up to each individual person to make that choice for themselves when the time comes. Is this something that I believe in so strongly that I will do whatever it takes to achieve it? Can I guarantee it's success with my sacrifice?

    More often that not, though, sacrifice of that magnitude only leads to failure. Despite the myth of martyrdom, causes which lose their leaders are rarely successful. Causes need leaders, and leaders need causes.

    Sometimes, the bravest thing to do is to face being thought a coward so that you can take the time to regroup and reorganize, and attack the problem from a better perspective.
  • the regroup strategy is such a wise one. Even Geronimo had to regroup some days.
  • Paula
    How apt that you chose John Proctor (a Puritan) to illustrate the various downsides of "sticking to your guns". As a U.S. American (as we are called in Europe) I often note the LASTING puritanical influence on American culture, which has recently undergone another period where "staying the course" had highest priority even when the conditions (and "truths") that brought about that course had changed. I'm glad people are now more open to admitting mistakes and using what we have learned to move forward instead of insisting (to the death) on the rightness of "our values". Of course this applies not only at the societal level, but also at the personal, where I still have to remind myself daily to open...
  • beautiful. this reminds me of one of my favourite quotes, from Rebecca Walker: 'the greatest human resource is openness.'
  • babasach
    One of my favourite quotes on the topic (and which is prominently displayed above my desk at work...) goes as follows : "Suicidal glory is the luxury of the irresponsible. We're not giving up. We're waiting for a better opportunity to win." [Lois McMaster Bujold - Barrayar]
    Another view on the problem...
    Cheers! :)
  • okay, that's so damn profound I've got to use that somewhere. hot stuff.
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