OUR WEAPONS COLLECTION
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WHAT A WISE MAN FROM THE EAST SAID
ABOUT THE USE OF WEAPONS From Verse 31 of 81 from the Tao Te Ching <道德經>, attributed to Lao Tzu <老子>. 夫佳兵者，不祥之器，物或惡之，故有道者不處。 Men with excellent weapons, are not tools of prosperity, may even be things of malevolence. Hence, those who have the way do not deal with them. The rest of the verse. |
WHAT A WISE MAN FROM THE WEST SAID
ABOUT THE USE OF WEAPONS A quote from Joseph Campbell. And where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a God; where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves; where we had thought to travel outward, we shall come to the center of our own existence; where we had thought to be alone, we shall be with all the world. |
When a conflict of interest arises, must one wish annihilation on the other party?
If so, would that entail losing a part of the humanity naturally innate to both parties?
Even if one won, is it worth losing a part of one's humanity?
In conflict, do we seek victory or resolution?
Maybe dealing with conflict is simply that, learning how to best deal with that particular situation.
Only when there is no further choice should weapons be drawn in defense of life.
It is in this spirit the following exhibits on ancient weapons are presented.
We appreciate these objects our predecessors left us, which provide evidence of utilitarian design, and artistic technique.