Dear Editor,
Human nature is invariably flawed with envy, greed, jealousy, and sometimes cruel instinct; yet even in the worst of us, there is the attribute of compassion. The attribute of compassion may vary; however, its underlying nature remains the same; to do good. In whatever form or matter, compassion is within each of us. Compassion is often aligned with the indefinable soul. The villains of compassion are hate, which is a permanent imbalance of the brain or a disease, and anger considered by many to be a form of temporary insanity. International and/or Local Corporations through their executives, and individuals need to show compassion, especially when in high office. The reality is that those losing high office, often seek compassion from the new overlords, who are now entrusted and contracted with executive and administrate power.
Reason does not always govern compassion; the compassionate act may arise out of human nature like a cat protecting a mouse, most unusual and unexpected, yet time after time, generation after generation, within all epochs, compassion has rendered its virtues and limitless nature in small and large ways. Its strands of beneficence have never not been present over the millenniums. Forgiving is a subset of compassion and we all at some point in our lives seek compassionate acts from family, a stranger, a foe or a friend.
It is this compassionate will, within the human nature that distinguishes us from the lower animals. The ability to reason and be reasonable, is the essence of the human being that distinguishes us from all other life forms on this earth and speaks to the higher spirits that resides within us all. What you may ask is the purpose of this letter? The letter seeks to let compassion bloom in Guyana, and undoubtedly both the giver and receiver of compassion, will resonate positive connections across race, religion, culture and class; and the ties of compassion will strengthen our nation.
The law is lesser than custom and convention; and the law, custom and convention are all secondary to compassion.
Confucius the preeminent philosopher and thought by many to have the greatest mind over the last 2,500 years, noted that: “Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men”. The Greco-Roman philosophers Plato and Cicero – referenced: wisdom, courage, temperance and justice, as the cardinal virtues; with justice considered the most important virtue. I will be in good company with Confucius to say that justice or fairness are key elements of compassion.
Yours faithfully,
Nigel Hinds
