Author Archives: jackpelham

I fight the battle against the flesh—To keep it in check—To not “let myself go”—To swim against the tide of a sloppy societyAnd live by good principle and wisdomRather than merely by fleshly desireAnd convenienceAnd unvetted assumption.

One could blame God, of course,That there are on this EarthSo many desirable things That we are warnedNot to desire.

Perhaps the gosh-awful dumbest thing thatWe’ll remember about our time hereOn this beautiful-ugly planetIs how often we splitOurselves intoTwo huge factionsTaking sides in a debateIn which both sides were wrong.

The best argmentsAre the ones in whichThe truth wins.

And they cast an idol to worshipThence forwardFrom an arbitrary interpretationOf their own choosing,Giving not a thought to whetherThey ought first considerThe other possibilities.

It is difficult to think of a human habitThat is more counterproductive than isThat of operating under a bad assumption.

The whim of the leaderBecomes the very destinyOf those who follow.

He does not realize That his every word and deedIs being added to the record of his lifeAs if it were his own testimony under oath beforeJudge and jury in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Sometimes the hardest wordsTo get someone to hear are“You are not listening.”

I sat at that tableAnd looked you in the eyeAs I proved to you beyond disputingThat the man had been lying to you.