Daily Signet

Notes from the Men’s Group, 1996

Saladin: With will and passion, he claimed the greatness that was offered him. He acted in service to his vision, always in accord with his character, his ethos. He was acclaimed in the West for his chivalry and his ethos. He had outstanding self-control, perseverance, organizational skills and luck. He was shrewd and unflappable. 

The Samurai: These warriors had both dignity (connected with the individual self; not in relation to others) and honor through violence (community based; given by society, claimed by the person). Have no fear: if you stay defensive, you will lose.

Tagore: He had a mixture of humility and vanity and did not belong to any caste. He fed on the greatest that was here and responded by bringing forth greatness. Peace is not in the absence of pain and escape from the world. Peace is founded on the strength of the person in the midst of life.

Leadership: True aristocrats speaking with the power of their Being (not the power of birth, position, profession, money); possessed of character; with mastery of their profession; acting in service to the ethos of character and to the highest ideal of the profession; drawn to challenge; not seeking safety and comfort; not giving or taking things personally. You have more in common with your opponent who is a professional than with your supporter who is not.

Ben Leichtling

On This Day…

Eid al Adha: Islamic commemoration of the faith of Abraham and his willing to sacrifice his son

Francesco Petrarch born 1304 in Italy, died 1374: poet and scholar
Works: Secretum, Africa, Trionfi
Quotes: “Five great enemies of peace inhabit with us – avarice, ambition, envy, anger and pride. If these were banished, we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace.” “To be able to say how much you love is to love but little.” “Rarely do great beauty and great virtue dwell together.”