During a philosophical discussion I once had with my high-school class, I suggested that when 2 people argue together, both relying on solid proof-text and undeniable evidence and/or documentation, the argument will never end, and that is because they probably both are right. They are both right but looking at the situation through a different lens, a different angle, a different need. This happens in families, at work, or any kind of group that works through democratic consensus. How do you then solve the issue and come to an agreement? Since the opponent is also correct in his position, the wise person will humbly acknowledge it and even use that extra information to better his own point. It doesn’t necessarily mean to budge from our own position, but it does mean to incorporate the position of the other person into our own. These issues often happen in parenting or leadership. How do we maintain control, order, and respect of protocols? Do we exercise the blind and unbending full measure of the letter of the law, or do we try to “temper the wind” to the point of anarchy or enablement? How many a parent have had this discussion concerning the raising of their children. For a boat to go forward, both the right and left oar must work together at the same time. If either the right or the left stands to go it alone, the boat will continually travel in circles, going nowhere. We see then that both are needed. King Solomon of the Bible said, “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.” (Ecc 8:11) Yet while that may be true, King David, his father, credited his own success greatness not to God’s unwavering punishing hand but to His gentleness, “...your gentleness made me great.” (Psa 18:35) The truth is that both are right. Justice, or the cold application of the letter of the law, and mercy, the principle of governing with the heart, are like two sides of the same coin. To govern justly one must uphold justice while exerting mercy. It is a difficult act to perform but one every good leader must learn. That is why again, wise King Solomon said, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged:” “Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.” (Pro 16:6; 20:28)
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