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prodigalwatcher52 - "By protecting others, you save yourselves." - 'Seven Samurai'
I know a man who once, would have agreed wholeheartedly with that sentiment. In those days, the pursuit of justice, the defense of those who were unknowing and unable to protect themselves from the dangers of the supernatural world, and the defeat of the agents of evil were the requirements imposed by the path of redemption.
In order to make penance for many human lifetimes of causing countless deaths and untold destruction, he was given the chance to save himself by fighting the good fight, and by being a Champion of the Powers That Be. If he stood against the darkness, he believed, then he would be himself saved and rewarded.
He believes it no longer, at least as I recall.
I know a man who once would have disagreed because in his life, the protection of himself and those he called his people was not a calling or a quest, but a duty. He fought because someone needed to fight, and those around him needed a strong arm and stronger will to shield them from both the terrors of the night and the social plight that plagued them just as doggedly.
Protecting yours was simply what one does, he believed, and any who chose selfishness over this contribution to the community that had once provided so much was as much the enemy as any vampire.
I suspect, perhaps, he has also changed his mind.
I know a man who once would have agreed because he believed in destiny. He believed that he and others had been placed in the world, and in the circumstances in which they found themselves for very specific reasons. This man thought that those around him-- and even himself, he was willing to include from time to time-- were destined to do great things in the service of good.
Every now and then, the man dreamed of being admired for the good deeds he and his fellows would do, and more importantly, he dreamed of being remembered for them.
He has certainly changed his mind.
Now, these men know that saving oneself is not guaranteed, no matter how good or great your deeds. They know that their own safety, or glory or even redemption should have no place in their thoughts for it is almost a certainty that they will be able to achieve none of those things. And even the noble pursuit of safeguarding the innocent is not where their minds should be, as it is also certain that even the strongest arm cannot shield all people at all times.
There is only one reason to fight, they know: because it is the right thing to do. Lose though they might-- and in the end, they know they will-- when all is said and done, all they wish to do is what was right.
(470)
I know a man who once, would have agreed wholeheartedly with that sentiment. In those days, the pursuit of justice, the defense of those who were unknowing and unable to protect themselves from the dangers of the supernatural world, and the defeat of the agents of evil were the requirements imposed by the path of redemption.
In order to make penance for many human lifetimes of causing countless deaths and untold destruction, he was given the chance to save himself by fighting the good fight, and by being a Champion of the Powers That Be. If he stood against the darkness, he believed, then he would be himself saved and rewarded.
He believes it no longer, at least as I recall.
I know a man who once would have disagreed because in his life, the protection of himself and those he called his people was not a calling or a quest, but a duty. He fought because someone needed to fight, and those around him needed a strong arm and stronger will to shield them from both the terrors of the night and the social plight that plagued them just as doggedly.
Protecting yours was simply what one does, he believed, and any who chose selfishness over this contribution to the community that had once provided so much was as much the enemy as any vampire.
I suspect, perhaps, he has also changed his mind.
I know a man who once would have agreed because he believed in destiny. He believed that he and others had been placed in the world, and in the circumstances in which they found themselves for very specific reasons. This man thought that those around him-- and even himself, he was willing to include from time to time-- were destined to do great things in the service of good.
Every now and then, the man dreamed of being admired for the good deeds he and his fellows would do, and more importantly, he dreamed of being remembered for them.
He has certainly changed his mind.
Now, these men know that saving oneself is not guaranteed, no matter how good or great your deeds. They know that their own safety, or glory or even redemption should have no place in their thoughts for it is almost a certainty that they will be able to achieve none of those things. And even the noble pursuit of safeguarding the innocent is not where their minds should be, as it is also certain that even the strongest arm cannot shield all people at all times.
There is only one reason to fight, they know: because it is the right thing to do. Lose though they might-- and in the end, they know they will-- when all is said and done, all they wish to do is what was right.
(470)
