One Important Point
Title: One Important Point
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters: Rufus Scrimgeour
Rating: PG
Other: Written for the December 3rd challenge (And study of revenge, immortal hate) for 30_hath. This'd be a bit of time after the first war's end.
If there was one important point to keep in mind (there were many important points, but it was decidedly best to concentrate on one at a time) it was this: Study your enemies, understand your enemies, but never become your enemies. Admittedly a corroboration of points, it was nonetheless crucial to keep in mind at all times.
Study. Do not become.
Rufus had long understood this, had known it as a young man. Hell, he had at least guessed at it as a boy, even if the thought had not formed coherently until future years. The substance had always been there. To be watchful (to show “constant vigilance” as Alastor had begun so aptly to say) was not enough. The trick was to be watchful and understanding both. And perhaps comprehension was, after all, a part of vigilance.
Rationality held the utmost import in observation. It was only by thinking objectively that he was able to study the situation properly, to determine the most appropriate route or reaction. What was necessary? Foresight. Sincerity with himself. Quite often, an utter disregard for those who would criticize his own methods.
[He reminds himself of this rule often, recalls its intricacies when faced with his enemies. Even as he watches the man brought before the council, as he listens to the man’s garbled story of vengeance and justice, he recalls this. What does it mean? What has that seething captive done, or better, why has he done so? The words are quite clear, the meaning the same that he has heard before. Still the man froths onward, growing rabid in his testimony. Half of the assembled body becomes nervous.]
Revenge was a difficult issue. It seemed to rule the mind it took hold of, to direct the being at will once it had dropped a hint of influence. Revenge was a matter of passion, something that Rufus had learned general control of. Revenge was a monster, ready to gnash, to grow, to perpetuate.
Often they were rabid [as that one is] and inflamed, almost unreal in their evident rage. They tended toward full conviction of their own righteousness. Yet what was there of justice in revenge? Rufus saw nothing. Instead, there were two separate categories. Justice presided over one, while revenge raced hand in hand with similar wild passions. To confuse them or to blend one with the other was mad.
Yet such was their way, and in doing so, they kick-started the cycle. One man’s revenge led to another’s vow of vengeance, and so on from there. Always there were connections and complications. Vengeance might sound suitable, even comforting, from time to time. Yet to give thought to it was to discover that there was no escaping it. To risk revenge was to risk losing any control over life.
[Rufus shakes his head, hisses between his teeth, quietly, that the man before them is a fool. On his left, he sees Alastor agree, and is vaguely glad of this. And still the captive rants.]
In all aspects, it was best to remain calm, to retain rationality. Above all, it was necessary to retain control of himself.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters: Rufus Scrimgeour
Rating: PG
Other: Written for the December 3rd challenge (And study of revenge, immortal hate) for 30_hath. This'd be a bit of time after the first war's end.
If there was one important point to keep in mind (there were many important points, but it was decidedly best to concentrate on one at a time) it was this: Study your enemies, understand your enemies, but never become your enemies. Admittedly a corroboration of points, it was nonetheless crucial to keep in mind at all times.
Study. Do not become.
Rufus had long understood this, had known it as a young man. Hell, he had at least guessed at it as a boy, even if the thought had not formed coherently until future years. The substance had always been there. To be watchful (to show “constant vigilance” as Alastor had begun so aptly to say) was not enough. The trick was to be watchful and understanding both. And perhaps comprehension was, after all, a part of vigilance.
Rationality held the utmost import in observation. It was only by thinking objectively that he was able to study the situation properly, to determine the most appropriate route or reaction. What was necessary? Foresight. Sincerity with himself. Quite often, an utter disregard for those who would criticize his own methods.
[He reminds himself of this rule often, recalls its intricacies when faced with his enemies. Even as he watches the man brought before the council, as he listens to the man’s garbled story of vengeance and justice, he recalls this. What does it mean? What has that seething captive done, or better, why has he done so? The words are quite clear, the meaning the same that he has heard before. Still the man froths onward, growing rabid in his testimony. Half of the assembled body becomes nervous.]
Revenge was a difficult issue. It seemed to rule the mind it took hold of, to direct the being at will once it had dropped a hint of influence. Revenge was a matter of passion, something that Rufus had learned general control of. Revenge was a monster, ready to gnash, to grow, to perpetuate.
Often they were rabid [as that one is] and inflamed, almost unreal in their evident rage. They tended toward full conviction of their own righteousness. Yet what was there of justice in revenge? Rufus saw nothing. Instead, there were two separate categories. Justice presided over one, while revenge raced hand in hand with similar wild passions. To confuse them or to blend one with the other was mad.
Yet such was their way, and in doing so, they kick-started the cycle. One man’s revenge led to another’s vow of vengeance, and so on from there. Always there were connections and complications. Vengeance might sound suitable, even comforting, from time to time. Yet to give thought to it was to discover that there was no escaping it. To risk revenge was to risk losing any control over life.
[Rufus shakes his head, hisses between his teeth, quietly, that the man before them is a fool. On his left, he sees Alastor agree, and is vaguely glad of this. And still the captive rants.]
In all aspects, it was best to remain calm, to retain rationality. Above all, it was necessary to retain control of himself.