Al-Rai Before the Courage of the Brave
In the minds of rational thinkers, courage is not measured by drawing the sword and fighting those who fight you without calculating the consequences of the battle. Rather, true courage lies in sound, prudent judgment, which preserves lives, protects honor and homelands, and limits the destruction that such conflicts often leave in their wake. Mao Zedong, President of the People’s Republic of China, advised adhering to reasoned judgment in all decisions made by leaders, because wise and correct judgment guides nations and peoples toward safety, security, and stability. President Mao Zedong said: “I once passed through a forest of oak trees when fierce winds blew. I found nothing but reeds swaying. As is well known, the oak tree is rigid, tall, and has a thick trunk that is not easily broken. Yet the fierce winds managed to shatter that mighty trunk, overcoming it with their strength, because the power of the wind was far greater than the oak trunk could withstand. The trunks shattered and the trees fell to the ground. When the storm subsided and the danger passed, nothing remained in the field except the modest reeds, swaying because they yielded to the storm and avoided confrontation with the wind, allowing its fierce gusts to pass harmlessly behind them without causing any damage. In this way, I recognized the wisdom of the reeds in assessing the situation and adopting what they deemed appropriate, without exposing themselves to the risk of being broken or uprooted, as happened to the oak trees that failed to respond to the storm’s power.”
This is the sound judgment that asserts itself when evaluating difficulties and crises, especially when there is a disparity in power. This does not refer solely to military defensive capabilities, but also to scientific, social, economic, and other supporting forces that must be present in life before entering into combat conflicts that may lack such resources.
Today, news reports highlight the material and moral damages inflicted on many countries that instigate violent wars, weakening many aspects of their people’s lives, including security, stability, and access to essential means of livelihood. There is also talk of the current situation and what has befallen the peoples of warring states that fight without achieving any specific goal, forgetting what they must provide for their populations during these warlike conflicts that expose the country, its people, and its citizens to death, hunger, and displacement.
The sole winner in such circumstances is the one who governs reason and judgment in making the right decision. This, thank God, is what the leaders of our Gulf countries have followed in their confrontation with enemies, demonstrating wisdom in their dealings, in contrast to the reckless approach employed by those hostile forces toward the Arab Gulf states. The day will come when those aggressor nations will regret their actions after witnessing the damage and losses suffered by their own countries and peoples. As for the countries that adopted a posture of restraint and dignity in dealing with these circumstances, they are the true winners.
Mohammed Salem Al-Balwan
