APAD: Speak softly and carry a big stick

Meaning:

Diplomacy and non-aggression is best, but be ready to back it up with force if

needed.

 

Background:

 

This sentiment is found in Latin: suaviter in modo, fortiter in re—pleasantly in

manner, powerfully in deed. According to the Women's Royal Army Corps, which

adopted the phrase as its motto, it originates with Claudio Acquaviva, an

Italian Jesuit priest (1543-1615) who was one of the founders of the Jesuit

order.

 

A variation, "the iron fist in the velvet glove," is often attributed to

Napoleon; but, while there are references to him ruling in this manner, there is

no evidence of him directly saying this.

 

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This reminds me of the APAD "If you want peace, prepare for war." You hear

martial artists say that we practice our craft in the hope of never having to

use it. So it seems the West has been obssessed with similar polarities for some

time now. They sees no hypocrisy or crookedness in such a moral and hold

contradicting thoughts comfortably in the back of their mind.

 

Recently, Dr. Jordan Peterson interpreted the Bible's assertion that the meek

shall inherit the earth where the meek, he believed, refered to people who were

skilled in wielding the sword but chose to sheathe it. One could not be good if

one was weak, he concluded.

 

It would also follow that it's very hard, if ever possible, for the strong to

stay good. The rich and powerful rarely choose to contain themselves. For them,

history has left two main options, checks-and-balances and a blank check,

depending on where they live.