The Book of Changes, also known as the I Ching, is one of the oldest books in the world. Its origins go back more than 6000 years. The book is rooted in the ancient Chinese philosophies of Confusianism and Taoism and continues to provide spiritual guidance, inspirational insight and universal wisdom to millions around the world.
The following commentary is an excerpt from one of its Hexagrams ….
Even a single passion lurking in the heart has the power to obscure reason. Passion and reason cannot exist side by side – therefore, fight without mercy is necessary if good is to prevail.
In a resolute struggle of good against evil, there are, however, definite rules that must not be disregarded, if it is to succeed.
The first resolution must be based on the union of strength and friendliness.
Second, a compromise with evil is not possible; evil under all circumstances must be openly disregarded. Nor must our own passions or shortcomings be glossed over.
Third, the struggle must not be carried on by force. If evil is branded, it thinks of weapons, and if we do it a favor of fighting against blow by blow, we lose in the end because we get entangled in its hatred and passion.
Therefore, it is important that we start at home, to be on guard with our persons, against the faults we have branded. In this way finding no opponent, the edges of the weapons of evil become dulled.
For the same reason we should not combat our own faults directly. As long as we continue to wrestle with them, they will continue to be victorious.
Finally, the best way to fight evil is to make energetic progress in doing good.
Comment
Friendliness, in this context, means approaching evil with unbiased compassion … free from hatred and passion.
Any attempt to attack evil directly using force is to get entangled in its hate and passion. This is taking on evil on its own terms which is guaranteed to end in failure. It’s equivalent of being a fly trapped in a spider’s web.
Friendliness provides evil nothing to oppose, therefore, depriving evil with no opponent … leaving nothing to attack.
The only way to defeat evil is to focus as much attention as possible on doing what is good. —-30—-