I've been trying to make sense of world events over the last ten days. I don't want to attempt to make sense of anything for anyone in particular in this shorter than a typical essay. Still, one phrase kept coming to mind in light of current events, and that is; Politics without Principle. I'm not sure why this stuck in my craw, but a quick search led me to this list of The Seven Social Sins. First published by Frederick Lewis Donaldson and re-published soon after by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in his weekly newspaper Young India. This list held several lessons that we must all emulate daily to better influence our leaders. Never forget that our leaders must follow the guidance we give them. If we fail to influence them, they will seek the path of least resistance to unfettered power. Here, we can all do something. Hopefully, this makes sense.
1) Wealth without work.
Anything gained without effort is taken for granted. Everything worth doing is worth doing with excellence.
2) Pleasure without conscience.
Exploitation for one's own debased needs is the epitome of narcissism. It's why devotion and enjoyment of the simple things bolster deep spiritual connection.
3) Knowledge without character.
Knowledge is power. Power without character leads to abuse.
4) Commerce without morality.
Business in the absence of ethics leads to a fall. If the business finds a modicum of success, then the fall will be steep.
5) Science without humanity.
Scientific advancement is unrelenting. It is our nature to understand nature and solve problems. It is a testament to our better selves that science is not used for evil more than it is. We must contribute to the collective consciousness and hold our institutions accountable.
6) Worship without sacrifice.
Our piety is empty without social service.
7) Politics without principle.
Politics is everywhere. If your politics is devoid of principle, there will be chaos. For without principle, the drive is purely political and is guided solely by a quest for power. With principle as a bedrock, decisions will come naturally and not through ideology. Principle is reason, and it is tempered by the realities of life and the lessons learned from history. Let us together hope and pray that our leaders act on principled reason and not political expediency.
Be well, Dear Reader
The Seven Social Sins
From a sermon given by Frederick Lewis Donaldson in Westminster Abbey, London, on March 20, 1925."
Photo Credit: J. Kawski
Rangárþing eystra, South Iceland, Iceland
