Challenge: Which is more important; self preservation or forgiveness?
Cross-posted to theatrical_muse
Ah, it seems I have missed a challenge; but then, what is the passage of time to an immortal? Days, and even weeks are but the twinkling of a spark on the wind, in moments devoured by darkness as is everything, in the end.
I will answer anyway, for it is a more pertinent topic to my nature than these foolish questions on love, lust, and the frailties of mortal flesh!
Self preservation is the only principle of importance; for if one cannot survive, what point is there to feeling? Does your enemy save your life because you forgive him? Be sure that you may forgive your foes, only suffering them to plot in secret against you. Those who forgive remain vulnerable, and would have done better to extinguish the menace before doubt assailed their judgement. Forgiveness is a naiveté afforded only by the lesser slights; for as one’s deeds increase in infamy, so does the bitterness and spite of those who have suffered. Think you that the Eldar will ever forgive my creator, He that they call Morgoth Bauglir, for His deeds against them? And what good would it do them, or Him, if they should? It will not bring back to life those slaughtered on the fields of battle, nor will it fill the bellies of those made destitute in war. I perceive that it might help to foster a sense of solidarity among the weak and fearful, but that is a false solace, ever likely to end in betrayal. For the strong, which need the support of none, it is but a fetter to their accomplishments.
Nay [laughing] give me not these foolish emotions of mortal kind! I have lived long, and will live yet longer; and of all the things to assist in this, forgiveness plays no part. Nor will it help those who transgress against me, for I shall hunt them down without mercy, and trample them into the earth.
Ah, it seems I have missed a challenge; but then, what is the passage of time to an immortal? Days, and even weeks are but the twinkling of a spark on the wind, in moments devoured by darkness as is everything, in the end.
I will answer anyway, for it is a more pertinent topic to my nature than these foolish questions on love, lust, and the frailties of mortal flesh!
Self preservation is the only principle of importance; for if one cannot survive, what point is there to feeling? Does your enemy save your life because you forgive him? Be sure that you may forgive your foes, only suffering them to plot in secret against you. Those who forgive remain vulnerable, and would have done better to extinguish the menace before doubt assailed their judgement. Forgiveness is a naiveté afforded only by the lesser slights; for as one’s deeds increase in infamy, so does the bitterness and spite of those who have suffered. Think you that the Eldar will ever forgive my creator, He that they call Morgoth Bauglir, for His deeds against them? And what good would it do them, or Him, if they should? It will not bring back to life those slaughtered on the fields of battle, nor will it fill the bellies of those made destitute in war. I perceive that it might help to foster a sense of solidarity among the weak and fearful, but that is a false solace, ever likely to end in betrayal. For the strong, which need the support of none, it is but a fetter to their accomplishments.
Nay [laughing] give me not these foolish emotions of mortal kind! I have lived long, and will live yet longer; and of all the things to assist in this, forgiveness plays no part. Nor will it help those who transgress against me, for I shall hunt them down without mercy, and trample them into the earth.