Should the President allow stones to be thrown at him and remain silent because it would “truly bring dignity back to the Presidency?
A Chicago Tribune article titled, Trump’s attacks on McCain and Conway are truly bringing dignity back to the presidency, report a columnist’s opinions on the issue of dignity of office of the Presidency.
The Purpose of This Post
Is to attempt to discern the wisdom and folly of ancient wisdom proverbs to compare to the belief of dignity of any elected office in our contemporary times in a Democratic Republic based on belief in the Rights of Freedom of Speech.
King Solomon
Do not
answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.
Answer a
fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.
(Proverb 26:4-5)
Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. (Proverb 26:8)
What Should an Elected Politician Do?
In ancient times, anyone who spoke out to criticize a King risked having his head removed, or worse.
In our contemporary times, there are a great abundance of both political pundits and private citizens expressing their opinions about their dissatisfaction, (throwing stones) at just about every President in USA history.
So, what should a President do when someone throws stones at him?
- Not answer them because he believes the stone thrower is a fool according to King Solomon proverbial advice?
- Or, answer the concern in a dignified manner, assuming the concern is presented in a dignified manner.
- Or as the second ancient Proverb 26:8 advice, never take out his precious s stone from his sling holder and throw it back at the person?
What’s My Point?
Proverb 26:8 is based on what happens when a person throws a stone at a statue of a fool. The more stones that are thrown may result in a pile of stones gather under the stature which serves to strengthen the foundation of the statue of the fool.
However, that was in ancient times before the concept of freedom of speech.
So, what should President Trump or any elected official do when stones are being thrown at him from news pundits, fake news media or internet, political comedians or people who resent he won the election and even hate him?
In My Opinion
When President Carter resigned, he stated “he “will lay down my official responsibilities in this office to take up once more the only title in our democracy superior to that of president, the title of citizen.”
Or, in other words, he implied a citizen is superior to the President. If so, does that would mean a citizen should not be afraid to voice their opinions even if what he states is a personal affront to the office of the Presidency?
It appears to me that President Trump could be described the same category of former Presidents Lincoln or Truman which was “plain spoken.”
Perhaps this contemporary advice should be considered by stone throwers when they comment about “plain spoken” Presidents..
Do not throw stones if you live in a glass house.
In other words, if you throw personal or derogatory stones, be prepared for a “plain spoken” response in kind.
What to Do?
If you do not agree with President Trump or anyone, make a suggestion as explained in an article titled, “6 Smart ways to disagree with someone respectfully.” Notice the word “respectfully.”
In ancient times this Christian advice was offered based on the concept of LOVE.
In Matthew 7:12 “in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you”
And this Biblical advice was offered based on the concept of WISDOM.
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. (Proverb 17:28)
If Interested
Read the Source Links Below,
You Decide
What would you do if you were President Trump when someone makes a derogatory personal unrespectful comment or opinion without offering a suggestion of how they would handle the situation on/or fund their suggestions, or solve the problem?
Would it be wise to have a specialized mandatory course of Wisdom taught in schools about the concepts of Wisdom and Love?
Regards and good will blogging.
Source Links
Chicago Tribune, President Lincoln Comments
Gil Commentary of Proverb 26:8
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/proverbs/26.htm
President Carter Comment
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2012/06/must-we-respect-the-office-of-the-presidency.html
President Truman Comments
https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/get-out-of-the-kitchen.html
6 Smart Ways to Disagree with Someone Respectfully
https://www.inc.com/kat-boogaard/6-key-tips-to-respectfully-disagree-with-someone.html
Treat Others the way God Intended
Rudy u Martinka 
We just don’t hear the ‘cut the baby in half’ response anymore.
Wisdom is missing from high places. When insulted and attacked on a regular basis, such as the last eat Conway/Spouse/Trump fiasco, the prez could simply say: ‘ I have many thoughts to express, but it would be best to keep them to myself.’
This alone would cool the fire, and the liberal media mob would STILL have a field day guessing/complaining/ assuming things to their own imagination anyway.
In other words, a Wise man would not play the fools game. But this is what you said anyway. 😉
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Colorstorm
Thanks for your comment. While I heartily agree with your suggestion and comment, I don’t believe it is possible because of the present state of divisiveness in USA politics and media.
I am not defending Trump “Plain speaking” twitters which I surmise King Solomon would regard as foolish. However, that was before the Rights of Free Speech that Trump as well as just about every President in USA has experience.
I wrote a post series when Trump was campaigning questioning if he was a fool and my reasons for supporting him even though King Solomon would categorize him a fool according to Proverbs.
If Interested
https://rudymartinka.com/2015/10/28/king-solomon-is-donald-trump-a-fool-part-4-conclusion/
Also, I have read a number of your post’s comments about atheistic. Frankly, you might easily also be described as being “plain spoken.” and disregarding the Proverb not to answer a fool.
In other words, perhaps the solution might be in our contemporary times to follow this idiom.
“When in Rome, do as the Romans.”
Or when in a political office, throw stones back at the fools, or suffer the consequence of Jesus Christ, being martyred by fools.
Respectfully if at all possible, of course.
Sad,
Regards and good will blogging.
You may be interested in another previous post to only describe people as wise or foolish, if interested.
https://rudymartinka.com/2018/09/21/king-solomons-wisdom-on-wise-or-foolish/
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Lots to unwrap – good links and points of course.
You are correct, I do engage atheists in a regular basis and have no problem doing so.
Each of us have fields of operation- and while it is true ‘the fool says in his heart there is no God,’ that pretty much means there are no unbelievers worth talking to- so the approach and manner dictates-
God’s word has never lost a single argument to an atheist; there may be a weak manner- but God’s word always wins the day- and I will continue to engage with believers and infidels as the field is ripe.
In the end we are but simple witnesses with a message not our own- and who knows, today’s atheist may be tomorrow’s Whitefield. 😉
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