I am amazed that Congressmen can pass a bill imposing severe penalties on anyone who burns the American flag, whereas they are responsible for burning that for which the flag stands: the United States as a territory, as a people, and as a biological manifestation. That is an example of our perennial confusion of symbols with realities.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Legislators protect the flag symbol while neglecting the people and land it represents.
- In plain terms
- Politicians defend the flag but burn the country it stands for.
- What can you take from it?
- Protect the people and land not just the symbol.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does the flag mean to you?
- Who benefits from the symbol?
Another view
Symbols can unite people even if policies differ.
More from Alan Watts
For the greater part of human, activity is designed to make permanent those experiences and joys which are only lovable because they are changing.
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Permalink to quote #10 It must be obvious... that there is a contradiction in wanting to be perfectly secure in a universe whose very nature is momentariness and fluidity.
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