APAD: Speak softly and carry a big stick

Meaning:

Diplomacy and non-aggression is best, but be ready to back it up with force if

needed.

 

Background:

 

This sentiment is found in Latin: suaviter in modo, fortiter in re—pleasantly in

manner, powerfully in deed. According to the Women's Royal Army Corps, which

adopted the phrase as its motto, it originates with Claudio Acquaviva, an

Italian Jesuit priest (1543-1615) who was one of the founders of the Jesuit

order.

 

A variation, "the iron fist in the velvet glove," is often attributed to

Napoleon; but, while there are references to him ruling in this manner, there is

no evidence of him directly saying this.

 

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This reminds me of the APAD "If you want peace, prepare for war." You hear

martial artists say that we practice our craft in the hope of never having to

use it. So it seems the West has been obssessed with similar polarities for some

time now. They sees no hypocrisy or crookedness in such a moral and hold

contradicting thoughts comfortably in the back of their mind.

 

Recently, Dr. Jordan Peterson interpreted the Bible's assertion that the meek

shall inherit the earth where the meek, he believed, refered to people who were

skilled in wielding the sword but chose to sheathe it. One could not be good if

one was weak, he concluded.

 

It would also follow that it's very hard, if ever possible, for the strong to

stay good. The rich and powerful rarely choose to contain themselves. For them,

history has left two main options, checks-and-balances and a blank check,

depending on where they live.

所有跟帖： 

• 沙发！占位点赞 -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/24/2023 postreply 12:37:54

• 文事武备！merry Christmas! -方外居士- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/24/2023 postreply 12:40:20

• Ying and Yang. Merry Christmas to you! -7grizzly- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/24/2023 postreply 13:35:46

• 绵里藏针：） -卫宁- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/24/2023 postreply 13:25:00

• Treachery, deceits, backstabing, etc., make it colorful :-) -7grizzly- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/24/2023 postreply 13:38:48

• 真正强大的人，是那些善于挥舞利剑，但却选择收剑入鞘的人。多谢分享这个英语谚语的背景故事。 -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/24/2023 postreply 13:38:52

• NP. It's one interpretation of that Bible verse. -7grizzly- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/24/2023 postreply 13:44:21

• 我非常喜欢上面那句话。：）） -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/24/2023 postreply 13:51:38

• MeToo:-) But there are other thoughts on the word "meek." -7grizzly- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/24/2023 postreply 13:58:04

• Eckhart Tolle thinks they're more Buddha-like. -7grizzly- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/24/2023 postreply 13:59:19

• Christianity teaches the same thing. -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/24/2023 postreply 14:09:17

• Prepare for the worst. Thank you. -天边一片白云- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/24/2023 postreply 17:10:26

• 胡萝卜与大棒？ 绵里藏针？the iron fist in the velvet gloves.学习了！ -暖冬cool夏- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/24/2023 postreply 20:27:07