Strength and Weakness (etc.)

**Bijo** · 01-25-2007, 00:39

Well, with this topic I'd like to give ye my ideas on those two words and such, and situations, etc., related thereto. I'll try to keep my words as short and effective as possible, though 'tis quite a task.

I don't expect anyone to agree, which is what (civilized) discussions are for anyway. Actually, I'd be pleased if you'd disagree, or agree too of course

strength /strɛŋkθ, strɛŋθ, strɛnθ/ [strengkth, strength, strenth]
–noun
1. the quality or state of being strong; bodily or muscular power; vigor.
2. mental power, force, or vigor.
3. moral power, firmness, or courage.
4. power by reason of influence, authority, resources, numbers, etc.
5. number, as of personnel or ships in a force or body: a regiment with a strength of 3000.
6. effective force, potency, or cogency, as of inducements or arguments: the strength of his plea.
7. power of resisting force, strain, wear, etc.
8. vigor of action, language, feeling, etc.
9. the effective or essential properties characteristic of a beverage, chemical, or the like: The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.
10. a particular proportion or concentration of these properties; intensity, as of light, color, sound, flavor, or odor: coffee of normal strength.
11. something or someone that gives one strength or is a source of power or encouragement; sustenance: The Bible was her strength and joy.
12. power to rise or remain firm in prices: Stocks continued to show strength. The pound declined in strength.
—Idiom
13. on the strength of, on the basis of; relying on: He was accepted by the college on the strength of ardent personal recommendations.

That's what the dictionary says, but I - as you might guess - would like to particularly focus on social aspects, human aspects, and the likes.

weak·ness /ˈwiknɪs/ [week-nis]
–noun
1. the state or quality of being weak; lack of strength, firmness, vigor, or the like; feebleness.
2. an inadequate or defective quality, as in a person's character; slight fault or defect: to show great sympathy for human weaknesses.
3. a self-indulgent liking or special fondness, as for a particular thing: I've always had a weakness for the opera.
4. an object of special desire; something very difficult to resist: Chocolates were her weakness.

And there we have weakness.

Well, in this day and age (and through history I'd humbly assume) it's perfectly normal to take what one needs or wants. They say one hath strength (and maybe luck) when he defeats others at something. And also, how many times haven't I seen situations wherein people (especially males) try to intimidate each other out of the urge to be the one in charge - a so-called alpha man perhaps.

If you know my other Backroom thread - 'Peace?' - then ye knowst about the emotions which are discussed therein, and how they affect many. I think that certain wording, regarding strength and weakness, used by everyday people is sometimes false or misleading.

Example (which can possibly be interpreted for other situations too):
If a man attacks another man psychologically (or even physically) and "wins", some would call this strength, and they'd call the other one weak. But that's not how it really is, is it?
If the man attacked the other one out of the urge to be dominant, and the need for confidence or some sort of relief (situations I've seen enough), is this man not weak? When he needs to attack (in whatever way) another being to make himself feel better, is this not weakness? Or how about "stealing" somebody's woman? I could name you a whole list of things, but let's keep it at this one for now.

This person is not strong, BUT he is powerful. And he draws his power from his weakness. That's why I think those who have the darkest fears and emotions will become the powerful ones, and must be recognized as powerful in action but weak in nature.

That's the easiest overall example that shows you my point.

And again, this has to do with human emotion and satisfaction of the ego. Therefore, as said, I view negative emotions and being a slave to this evil ego, therewith resorting to such powerful acts, as weak.
And so I view the control of negative emotion and this ego as strong.

But even then, one could argue about this continuously. Heck, I'm making my case, and as I do so I'd even give you my understanding of another side.

So what if one can control (negative) emotions? Is this person to be called strong? Maybe, possibly, yes. But it could be also the case to be argued that this person is weak, for he has no courage to undergo the pain and willpower of emotions and their consequences. A good example here would be love. Love, which is a killer, is also much in connection with fear.

So what if we juxtapose those two general thought directions described up there? What can we say? Man is weak, when he is strong? And man is strong, when he is weak? Argh, I'm starting to hurt my brain now!

(But do you get my drift?)

Discuss!

**doc_bean** · 01-25-2007, 00:53

Weakness is strength !

It's a bit of Ying and Yang thing, don't try to clearly define them, you'll just end up confused.

**Marshal Murat** · 01-25-2007, 01:19

When Man A feels the need to attack Man B, he is either taking something he wants, or he feels threatened by Man B. Therefore he is smart if he is threatened, or greedy if he wants.

Strength is being able to control your emotions.
Weakness is releasing your emotions.

I would think a man strong if he did something that bettered mankind, while a weak man bends to his emotions, and does something that he wants.
A weak man bends to the will of others, and he is weak. If he decides that enough is enough, he becomes strong and goes against the will, and becomes strong.

Your zen for the day.

**Hosakawa Tito** · 01-25-2007, 01:35

Buddhism does not have the answer to your question...you do. Only you do. The answer and the question are one and the same thing. Zen is a process, not an answering machine.

-- John Daido Loori

**Yun Dog** · 01-25-2007, 06:14

the words on their own have no meaning

its strength of....

weakness of....

or physical strength/weakness etc

if you say someone is strong, people will assume whatever their bias is, they may think of physical strength (commonly) or strength of will (less common).

edit: but it could mean the person has a strong odor :)

**Bijo** · 01-30-2007, 19:03

Hmmm, the process thing and such must be true, as there can be no light without dark, and no dark without light. A continuous flow of cause and effect too.