Shyriath's Soapbox, Take One: Simplicity
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:28 pm
Being the first in a series of rantings on the form and philosophy of government by an amateur philosopher. Done in a sermony sort of style, because if I'm going to be pompous enough to have opinions on things beyond my depth, then I might as well go all-out... and besides, I like the way it sounds.
Oh you who listen! If you would move freely, would you wear the lavish robe that trips and entangles, or the simple tunic that allows movement? If you would build a road to a bright destination, would you build it winding and turning to points out of the way, or make it straight as an arrow to your destination? Know you that frills and frippery will distract you from substance and clarity; know you that asides and detours will distract you from your goals!
I say to you: Simplify! Make your plans, build your new orders, embark on your endeavors; but whatever is not needed, that is what must go! The tree you plant may grow great and imposing; but the weight of its own limbs shall hold it back if they are not pruned, and bring it down in time. You begin to plant your new orchard now; now also is the time that you must begin to prune, to cut, to remove the excess here and there, before the removal becomes a chore.
Create no office of which you have no need; maintain no position that you cannot fill.
Prohibit only that which is needful to prevent; require only that which must occur.
Write no law for what needs no law; require no law for what needs only will to act.
Laws that are passed should be few and far between; the laws you write should be thought through and polished.
Make the lawcode small, that it may be easily remembered; make the lawcode coherent, that it may be united and whole.
Oh you who listen! If you would move freely, would you wear the lavish robe that trips and entangles, or the simple tunic that allows movement? If you would build a road to a bright destination, would you build it winding and turning to points out of the way, or make it straight as an arrow to your destination? Know you that frills and frippery will distract you from substance and clarity; know you that asides and detours will distract you from your goals!
I say to you: Simplify! Make your plans, build your new orders, embark on your endeavors; but whatever is not needed, that is what must go! The tree you plant may grow great and imposing; but the weight of its own limbs shall hold it back if they are not pruned, and bring it down in time. You begin to plant your new orchard now; now also is the time that you must begin to prune, to cut, to remove the excess here and there, before the removal becomes a chore.
Create no office of which you have no need; maintain no position that you cannot fill.
Prohibit only that which is needful to prevent; require only that which must occur.
Write no law for what needs no law; require no law for what needs only will to act.
Laws that are passed should be few and far between; the laws you write should be thought through and polished.
Make the lawcode small, that it may be easily remembered; make the lawcode coherent, that it may be united and whole.