Day 116e: Coming IN, out of the Storm … (August 23, 2019)
And then the rains came down harder as I persisted onward anyway – first to a brief dry stopover on the Wilmington Manor Fire Department’s front porch, then to a local Burger King (where an order of chicken nuggets was offered, and yet politely turned down), then into the township of Bear where I sat for a bit in the local Bob Evans restaurant foyer (and changed into some clean dry socks), and finally up to the cozy front porch of the then-closed offices of Kelly Walker Family Dentistry, where I waited for the rains to drop their course …
“So it is that the Great Man through his actions will not set out to harm others, nor make much at all of his acts of benevolence and charity. Indeed he makes no move at all for personal gain or profit, nor consider the servant at any gate as lower than himself. Neither will he barter for property or riches, nor does he make much of having turned down the same. He asks for no one’s help along his way, nor does he make much of his own self-reliance. He does not put up with acts of cruelty or injustice, and yet never does he loathe the greedy or the mean-spirited. Neither does he follow the whim of the crowd, nor does he make much of being so different from their bent. In truth, all the titles and all the honors of this world are of no interest to him whatsoever, and he remains fully unconcerned at the disgrace or derision that comes from lambasting passersby or even at any punishments unjustly applied by societal authorities. He knows there is a clear distinction between Right (that which furthers the peace of others) and Wrong (that done for self-benefit, often at the expense of others), and he sets out in each moment to smoothly avoid the latter and boldly embody the former. Indeed, the Great Man never strives to earn any particular reputation or garner any particular appreciation. For perfect Virtue is never found while being molded by circumstance or admonishment. Rather it is enlivened in every moment the Great Man chooses decency & gentleness anyway.” ~ via Zhuangzi
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