Positive Qualities for the week of 10/23/11

Dear Folks,

As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being. It may even be assumed that just as the unconscious affects us, increase in our consciousness likewise affects the unconscious. — Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) Psychologist

To be Just without fairness is like being talkative without being Tactful. Human justice may be founded on the law; but the law must be founded on higher principles. What might those principles be? How about fair so the law applies equally to all; then patient to see if the person will change; then kind to nurture the soul; then mercy when significant growth has taken place; and finally love to bring it all back into harmony.

Peace,

Jim — The Positive Qualities


TACTFUL

Definitions:(1) possessing a keen sense of what to say or do <especially to avoid giving offense>; fitting; having skill in dealing with difficult or delicate situations; diplomatic; (2) considerate of and concerned for the sensibilities of others <particularly those who are troublesome or stubborn>; persuasive (3) possessing a shrewd sense of what is appropriate, tasteful, or aesthetically pleasing; discriminating

 

Compatible Qualities: patient, sagacious

 

Familial Qualities: finesse, graceful

 

Comment: To be tactful is not to be compromising. One must perceive the consciousness of one’s audience to understand what and how to say precisely what is needed.

 

JUST

 

Definitions: (1) having principles of rectitude, honesty, and righteousness; upright; proper; (2) equitable; impartial; fair

 

Saying: Fiat justitia, ruat caelum (Latin): “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”

 

Motto:Justitia omnibus (Latin): “Justice for all.” — District of Columbia

 

Quotes:

It is wise to disregard laws when they conflict with justice.

L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) Tik Tok of Oz

 

The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds.

Amenemope (c. 1100 BCE) The Book of Wisdom, 3:7

 

[Justice] is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought.

John Rawls (1921-2002) American Philosopher

 

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) Letter from Birmingham City Jail

 

Appropriate anger can be a force for good. Anger has provoked good and courageous people to come forward and defend the rights of those who are powerless to defend themselves.

Pauline Phillips [Abigail Van Buren] (1918 – ) The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal with It

 

Comment: Justice has a lot to do with seeing reality from the “other’s” point of view.

 

Observation: The problem with a jury of one’s peers is the redneck jury who sentenced a fourteen year old black boy to death because he spoke flippantly to an older white woman. Then when the jury who tried him were put on trial, their peers declared their actions just. There must also be, at least, fairness stacked on top of justice.

 

Symbols:1) the crane;2)the sword; 3) fourteen; 4) Lady Justice [blindfolded woman with scales]

 

Mythology: Astraea, in Greek and Roman mythology, the goddess of Justice who became the constellation Virgo

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