Mastering morality

One of my favourites in Confucius' dogma is the story wherein he compares the head of family, a doctor and a surgeon;

The father/family head is dedicated every day to avoid illness entering his home and thus secure health, stability and progress.  The father is known  and his daily contribution respected within the family and maybe a couple of neighbours.

The doctor of a village will regularly attend to the population to avoid deseases from worsening or spreading and his work is known and appreciated throughout the village.

A surgeon rushes to life or death situations and his interventions are renowned throughout an entire nation.

This was in ancient China where news could travel only as fast as a horsemen's thrive.  Confucius could not have predicted mass newspapers, television and thus also not youtubes and facebooks, but the idea still persists with most infamous people and places not seeking fame nor reward for their doings.  After all 1 billion registrants or subscribers, means at least 6 billion are not.

Throughout his lifetime Confucius will certainly not have been able to imagine a woman to represent any of these functions.

Although many people and especially those citizens in currently foreign financially aided or assisted countries may think of Angela Merkel as the imprudent physician who in an annoyingly surgical manner operates into countries most intimate vasculature I would have to hand it to her.

Whereas I understand the frustration of populations in Greece, Ireland, Spain and the like, Angela Merkel is possibly the only politician in Europe these days who holds onto the priorities and promises she committed to, insofar could be foreseen, before her electorate.  First the state budgets of each of the 16 bundeslanden, then the national finance plan for Germany and only then the ties to the 27 European Union Member States, among which the countries that share the same currency.

After all, Confucius' down to earth and humane philosophy in this story also dictates in a style of leading by example that one should first take care of one's family before catering to a wider community to ultimately arrive at some greater good for all.    

Maybe we all just need some of Confucius' wisdom ..... and pacience.