The ice does not sink; it floats on the water. Water and ice, which are the same substance in different states, can be regarded as fundamentally the same material; yet, they have entirely different effects in practical applications. Many things in the world are the same yet different. Just as a cat likes mice but doesn’t love them, likes and loves are distinct concepts. We often overlook that these subtle differences can lead to significant results. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Paradoxically, one of the reasons for Rome’s demise was that it kept winning wars. Victories expanded the empire’s territory, and the risks increased proportionally. Men, primarily middle-class men, volunteered as soldiers; the larger the territory, the longer the wars lasted, and the longer it took for them to return home. The women who remained at home were forced to borrow labor and became indebted to the nobility. Eventually, the women were sold into slavery, and by the time the men returned, their families had disintegrated. People don’t betray because they’re evil, but because it increases their risk. If the territory you’re in grows, you might reconsider your loyalties to the organization. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”