The True Character

You recognize a person’s true character when they gain power. So they say.

By surrendering our conscience to them, we have given certain people moral power over us.

To surrender my conscience, by that I mean: Trusting that what someone says is good. Good in the sense that it supports structures that are important to both of us. And that this person is wise enough that they suggest supporting structures that have proven themselves to be relevant in the long run.

(If you and I both celebrate a party, we have the same concept of good in this respect – but only in that moment. But if I follow you in reading an uplifting book, your wisdom has moved me to strengthen a structure (my inner order) that will likely be relevant to me in the long run as well.)

It would be as exciting as it would be futile to discuss whether those who controlled our conscience truly received this right and this possibility from us (as informed citizens and free persons), or whether they stole this power through tricks and lies. It is what it is – but it can also be different!

You recognize a person’s true character when they gain power. But once their true character has revealed itself, you sometimes wonder: How can we reclaim the power? (Nota bene: reclaim here practically implies that every power is one that has been granted and lent.)

But this is the situation today: The true character of some of these people has revealed itself – and unfortunately it is part of their character not to want to give the power back.

What to do?

What to do, while remaining as legal as alive?

When they reveal their true character, that is a good occasion to explore our own character. And, if it hasn’t happened yet: We should reclaim our conscience.