“By Decision”
If you make bad decisions and they leave their marks on your life and reputation, would others likely follow you and listen to your counsel? The shogun teaches us.
We should not confuse decision with that tendency which certain persons display to decide any question without having studied it and too often without having understood it. Like all qualities, decision is only acquired after repeated acts of reflection, determining the coordination of ideas and seeking expert advice.
The reasons for making a decision are always dependent on circumstances which constantly assume new character.
I think he is saying “new information, new decision”.
In order to be able to discern and understand what decision to make, several qualities are necessary.
Reflection or concentration
Presence of mind
Will
Energy
Impartiality
Desire for Justice – Decisions that leave no remorse behind.
Forethought
I think it’s safe to say that making decisions when you are charged with emotion is a bad idea.
Yoritomo says we can learn from others who have made similar decisions and study how it turned out. (Imagine trying to do that before the internet? You have to seek out the right people and talk to them!)
He goes on to make this observation about people who make bad decisions – “The majority of the irresolute love to deceive themselves by the decisions which their imagination creates, and thus become the architects of their own misfortune.”
Will finish up this lesson on Decisions tomorrow.
Wow! Hubris of modesty is death by anxiety. Far as I know, God gave you two hands and one brain: use them. This is an important distinction, and really helps me to sort out bold ambition as a Godly & moral virtue, unequal to Narcissus staring at his reflection forever.
Wow. That’s good stuff.
I’m loving these lessons. Thank you!
I have never been one to read a lot, but I will say this is so very interesting to me and I actually look forward to reading the next one .
The feeling of insignificance leading little by little to hypochondria… very interesting. Weakness and inferiority leading to real mental and physical problems.
Makes me want to be better. Looking deep inside how I can be more useful to others. Thank you Larry! You make me want to revolt against any idleness that creeps in my soul…