Rarely does an erected flag fly alone. An invisible wind moves it, meaning an external force. When the wind blows, flags flutter, dust rises, and laundry dries. Many changes occur in response to one external factor, but we cannot see the cause. Eyes capable of reading invisible external causes can respond to a world of rapid change. We cannot attribute a cause solely by observing a phenomenon; instead, we must recognize a specific pattern across multiple phenomena. The ability to detect hidden commonalities is a form of wisdom. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Paradoxically, one of the reasons for Rome’s demise was that it kept winning wars. Victories expanded the empire’s territory, and the risks increased proportionally. Men, primarily middle-class men, volunteered as soldiers; the larger the territory, the longer the wars lasted, and the longer it took for them to return home. The women who remained at home were forced to borrow labor and became indebted to the nobility. Eventually, the women were sold into slavery, and by the time the men returned, their families had disintegrated. People don’t betray because they’re evil, but because it increases their risk. If the territory you’re in grows, you might reconsider your loyalties to the organization. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”