Early kings and chieftains in European civilization, men like the Viking
kings, King Arthur, Charlemagne, and William the Conqueror were very real
fighting heroes, literally able to prove their kingship in mortal combat,
as in all primitive groups. And, since their people were still close to
nature, their governments were usually acceptable to most citizens of the
time, even the lowest.
Strong and truly brave men are rarely cruel and evil; meanness and cruelty
are the traits of weaklings, never strong men.
But as kingship became a hereditary institution, utterly worthless and
vicious weaklings, who could never survive in combat, became "kings." And
their cruel, mean "governments" were absolutely intolerable.
Under the last of vicious and stupid tyrants, thinking and courageous men
of all estates began to risk their lives to oppose these evil, little men,
and to oppose the system that made such little men "kings."In an age of absolute, unnatural and tyrannical authority, self-respecting men by the thousands gave their lives so that their fellows could have some relief from this arbitrary total authority by unfit weaklings and so tha the system of hereditary tyranny could be brought in check.
The results were the first European parliaments.
In these groups of nobles who began to limit the absolute authority of
unfit kings, those who favored still further limitations on the power of
the monarch and more "individual freedom" for the people traditionally sat
on the LEFT.
Opposite this group, on the RIGHT, sat those who favored either the status
quo or more autocratic power for the king - more government and less
individual freedom.
That was the origin of "left" and "right," and the only true meaning of the
words.
Interesting read , wherever you may stand.
kings, King Arthur, Charlemagne, and William the Conqueror were very real
fighting heroes, literally able to prove their kingship in mortal combat,
as in all primitive groups. And, since their people were still close to
nature, their governments were usually acceptable to most citizens of the
time, even the lowest.
Strong and truly brave men are rarely cruel and evil; meanness and cruelty
are the traits of weaklings, never strong men.
But as kingship became a hereditary institution, utterly worthless and
vicious weaklings, who could never survive in combat, became "kings." And
their cruel, mean "governments" were absolutely intolerable.
Under the last of vicious and stupid tyrants, thinking and courageous men
of all estates began to risk their lives to oppose these evil, little men,
and to oppose the system that made such little men "kings."In an age of absolute, unnatural and tyrannical authority, self-respecting men by the thousands gave their lives so that their fellows could have some relief from this arbitrary total authority by unfit weaklings and so tha the system of hereditary tyranny could be brought in check.
The results were the first European parliaments.
In these groups of nobles who began to limit the absolute authority of
unfit kings, those who favored still further limitations on the power of
the monarch and more "individual freedom" for the people traditionally sat
on the LEFT.
Opposite this group, on the RIGHT, sat those who favored either the status
quo or more autocratic power for the king - more government and less
individual freedom.
That was the origin of "left" and "right," and the only true meaning of the
words.
Interesting read , wherever you may stand.
