(Untitled)

[notatengu]

Rowen has a rolling chalkboard with him today. He positions to his liking and quickly writes out, in English and Japanese.

"From this arises the question whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved. It might perhaps be answered that we should wish to be both: but since love and fear can hardly exist together,

Comments

[doc_switchblade]

"Neither are one hundred percent true or correct," Brandt decides after studying both quotes for a few minutes. Taking a pair of sunglasses from a shirt pocket, he taps one hinged edge thoughtfully against his chin. "Whether or not it is better to be fear or loved depends on the individual and their goals. It is also possible to be both loved and feared. One can be loved by their friends and family, but feared by their enemies. After all, one can only go so far in turning some foes into allies... Hatred can run deep and if one must have such irrational enemies, best they fear. It will help keep them at bay and perhaps inspire grudging respect in the same stroke."

He paces a moment, then continues. "As for the second quote... A coward can love. To say that he loves less than another because he will not offer up his life for a friend or family member simply means the observer has discounted the obvious - that a coward loves himself more than anyone else, since a coward by definition is one who does not take risks, allows fear to control them, etcetera. Fear is a response linked to self preservation. One could argue that a coward is selfish, but not that a coward cannot love."

[notatengu]

"Very good answer, though I will point out that in the end, Machiavelli states that fear is safer, not so much better. I agree though, that one can be both loved and feared. Not just in the case of family verses enemies, but fear in your family. On some level as children, even the best behaved ones, we feared punishment from our parents. I have a friend who loves the head of his family, but is fearful of him at the same time."

Rowen nods then hums. "As for Gandhi, not all damage coming from love is physical. When one opens himself to the pain a person can inflict emotionally. In that aspect, a person is a coward for not loving and opening himself up to that. At least, that is my interpretation of the quote."

[doc_switchblade]

"As I said, I really do believe that some of this depends on the individual. For some, safer IS better. And where young children are concerned, despite fear of punishment for wrong doing, they typically rely upon and love their parents despite that." He does smirk a bit at Rowen's thoughts on the Gandhi quote. "Actually, my thoughts on the cowardly apply with the emotional as well as the physical. If one is a coward for not opening up and loving another, there likely is fear of rejection. The self preservation is then for his or her sanity and emotional well being instead of his or her physical health. Fear is still fear, after all."

[notatengu]

"Ah, then sir, is there such a thing as a coward in your book? Or are those who do not take a step to live life in fear of breaking just simple people with very good survival instincts?" Rowen is keeping his face neutral as he speaks. He doesn't sound angry or annoyed. At most he sounds curious.