Necessity may indeed be the mother of invention, but it has, at times, bee the mother of injustice.

William Pitt observed, " Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."

Pitt spoke as the ally of Wilberforce in their quest to end slavery in England. Against their efforts were all sorts of arguments including those of necessity.

"We have no other choice."

"We must."

"We have to protect ourselves."

"We know it is wrong, but now is not the right time to correct things."

"If we do this now, everything will collapse."

There has never been a convenient time in history for doing the right thing. It has always been against the tide to stand for the rights of others. Liberty has never been practical. Freedom has never been feasible. Truth has seldom seemed profitable. Justice has never been easy. Light has never been appealing to those whose eyes have grown accustomed to the dark.

Our shortcuts can always be justified by expediency. In business, public affairs, and personal relationships, we can make our case for walking over other people and nations if we can establish that it is in pour best interest do do so.

When we do, we ultimately lose.

It is as if we have created a Greek god, named him "Necessarius," and bowed to him without knowing he is no god at all and will keep none of his far reaching promises.

Only what is right and true and just and compassionate will last beyond the moment. All else is as fleeting as our notions of necessity.

(I am blogging while away by post dating
my posts. I'll be at camp with a group of rowdy children from July 6-10
and on the road July 10-11 to a Toastmaster's training. Have a great
week!)