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Online since 1999

No war, no glory, all good

11/12/2017

4 Comments

 
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"To achieve a hundred victories in a hundred battles is not the highest excellence; to subjugate the enemy's army without doing battle is the highest of excellence ... Winning battles such that the whole world cries 'Excellent!' is not the highest excellence." Sun Tzu
As announced yesterday, we have acquired the domain name NoWar.com, which was originally registered in 1998, a year earlier than when Sonshi.com was founded. I still can't believe how we ended up with the name and can only attribute our luck to the heavens.

The phrase No War has tremendous significance to me because it represents Sun Tzu's ultimate goal and mark of the "highest of excellence." No War also challenges the common notion that war is a viable option. Instead, a war is a sign that things have been poorly managed by those in power.

According to Sun Tzu, a leader must be so adept at handling conflicts that the conditions from which wars get started could never take hold. That is because prevention is his or her focus, when conflicts are easier to manage. This skill requires a keen sensitivity to tackling small issues before they become larger ones.

Leaders can see what others cannot, and thus can do what others cannot. If problems are such that everyone can see them, then that is when we know the people in power have failed the organization, community, or nation. A small problem solved clumsily is vastly superior to a big problem solved efficiently. (Imagine how much more costly if large problems are mishandled!)

Therefore, the wise understand that there is no glory in fighting a war. To the general populace, however, there is no glory in preventing a war either, for they can't possibly fathom what never transpired. That's ok, because students of Sun Tzu can't possibly fathom doing anything different regardless. The benefits themselves are good enough.

​Thank you so much for your support and confidence through the years.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Jesus
4 Comments
Paul Mccue
11/12/2017 06:46:26 am

On Rememberance Sunday we are touched by all those who have fallen, those whose lives have been shattered, those who remain standing but who have been forever changed by the atrocities they have witnessed. As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, let us not forget there are often alternatives to war and it is the responsibility not only of our leaders but each and every one of us to seek out those alternatives.

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Thomas Huynh link
1/27/2018 05:08:35 pm

Couldn't have said it better, Paul. The greatest honor we can give the dead is to make the most of their priceless sacrifice.

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kathleen seret
11/12/2017 08:52:51 am


Omwille van Sion zal ik niet zwijgen, omwille van Jeruzalem ben ik niet stil, totdat het licht van haar gerechtigheid daagt en de fakkel van haar redding brandt.

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Thomas Huynh link
1/27/2018 05:10:20 pm

Translation:
For the sake of Zion I will not be silent, for the sake of Jerusalem I am not silent until the light of its righteousness dawns and the torch of her salvation burns.

Thank you Kathleen. We cannot be silent because we have the duty to give voice for those who don't have a voice.

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​"Winning battles such that the whole world cries, 'Excellent!' is not the highest excellence." Sun Tzu
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