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A Potpourri of Poetic Curiosities

Viewing comments for Chapter 271 "No harm"
A collection of poems showcasing unusual words

10 total reviews 
Comment from BeasPeas
Exceptional
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Words to live by for sure, Craig. Don't hurt/harm anything. "Do what you will, but harm no one (thing)" is a key tenet of the Wiccan religion. This applies to our treatment of animals, too. Thanks for sharing the lovely image of the sheep and for your footnote which tells of unspeakable cruelty to animals. Marilyn

 Comment Written 30-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 30-Sep-2018
    Thank you for the lovely comments and the delightful rating, Marilyn. It' a constant source of bemusement to me how we as a species, are so comfortable with the idea of causing pain. Still, there are those who seek to break the mold, maybe one day they will triumph.
Comment from WalkerMan
Exceptional
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You are absolutely right that "First, do no harm" is ideal brocard by which to live, as it encompasses both the Golden Rule and many of the Ten Commandments. Your Author Notes are helpful regarding the origin of the expression as well as the definition of "brocard" as " a short expression of an important principle."

It is sad that Google has totally abandoned its original slogan -- "Do No Evil" -- in every way imaginable -- spying on ALL its customers and users to accumulate data for sale to advertisers, skewing search results both to favor high-paying advertisers and to suppress search results containing conservative views, plus closing YouTube channels from conservative account holders. If you want a neutral search engine that does NOT do such things, use DuckDuckGo.com; and if you want a non-spying browser, use either Firefox or Opera as your primary browser.

 Comment Written 28-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 28-Sep-2018
    Thank you very much for the most kind rating and the much appreciated comments. It seems the legislators have an enormous amount of trouble keeping up with the pace of technological change, that's for sure. Big dot coms do what they like while governments play catch-up.
reply by WalkerMan on 28-Sep-2018
    You are most welcome. Yes, though in the case of Google, those who favor allowing big government to keep records on all aspects of citizens' lives like what Google and Facebook are capable of doing. Google is now cooperating with the government of China in tracking its citizens wherever they go and whatever they do online. It is fast becoming Orwell's 1984 over there, with facial-recognition cameras everywhere and citizens being assigned a score to indicate their degree of conformance to government policies.
Comment from Pamusart
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Hi Craig. This looks like a good entry for the contest. I agree with you. With me it might be the golden rule. Do unto others as you yourself want to be treated. Sort of the same thing I guess. Good luck in the contest. Thank you for sharing

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 28-Sep-2018
    Yes, they're quite similar. Many thanks for the kind review and the good wishes, Pam :) Craig
Comment from lyenochka
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Great job in formatting your verse to start with the Latin phrase and end with its translation. It's an admirable thing to live by more than doctors. But does this mean you don't drink milk at all or do you know farmers who don't do that kind of practice?

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2018
    I don't "drink" milk, I do have it in coffee, or on cereal - soy milk. I don't know of any dairy enterprise that is able to produce milk for human consumption and still permits calves to remain with their mothers. Perhaps there is one somewhere, but most, of course, send them off for a brief and incredibly unpleasant life before they become veal. Thanks for the kind review, Helen.
Comment from Sugarray77
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Your short 5-7-5 entry for the contest is packed with thought provoking maxims and I am sincerely glad you added the keys in the author's notes. I would have been lost without them. Well done.

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2018
    Thanks for the kind comments, much appreciated :)
Comment from Gloria ....
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Craig, I believe even trying to achieve the maxim of first, do no harm is the ultimate in supreme behaviour, and so very difficult to do, because first one must be able to realize all the outcomes of behaviour, say for example of driving a car, or drinking coffee and what harm that might cause to little animals, ya know?

That said, this is a fine entry into the contest, and a most laudable standard for interpersonal behaviour.

I wish you much luck with the Contest Committee. :)

gloria

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2018
    Yes, putting it into practice is a lot more difficult than paying lip-service to the idea. Many thanks for the fine review, Gloria, and for the good wishes :)
Comment from Debbie Pope
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I have no six stars for this, Craig, but, to me, it's the most important thing that you have written. Your choice of maxim is correct. That is why you are a vegetarian, correct? This post has value because I sense that it is truly what you live by. Whether you mean to be or not, you are a very principled, knowledgeable man. That is why I try to read everything that you write.

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2018
    Hi Debbie,

    Firstly, thank you for the very kind words. Yes, I'm a vegetarian because I don't think the idea of "do no harm" applies only to my own species. I hope I don't come across as some sort of "guru" dispensing wisdom lol - firstly, because I'm bound to disappoint, and secondly, I just do what most writers here are doing, try to express ideas about the world as I see it. Anyway, I'm really grateful that you continue to read my postings :)

    Cheers,
    Craig
reply by Debbie Pope on 27-Sep-2018
    Not a guru. Just a person who thinks about matters.
reply by the author on 27-Sep-2018
    ok, I'll plead guilty to that :)
Comment from Ulla
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Ah, Now it make sense. I should have read the first line more carefully when I first read your poem. I couldn't agree more. Great little three line poem about the 'word' of the day. All best.Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2018
    Many thanks for the lovely comments, Ulla - I am most grateful :) Craig
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
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A very wel-written poem about the word brocard, that is a shord description of what we find is important to us. I believe not to do to others what I don't want to be done to me.

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2018
    That's also a pretty handy one, Sandra. In a sense, it's very similar, after all, who wants to be harmed? Many thanks, Craig
Comment from Sally Law
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Thank you for this! I love the sweet picture of the sheep and the message behind your poetry. Life is indeed sacred and a gift from God. I am pro-life in every way. Once a life has been taken, it is unable to be retrieved. All my kindest regards to you and your family. I hope you all are well and safe.
Sally

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2018
    Thanks so much for the kind words, Sally. Most appreciated, and all the best to you and yours as well. Craig
reply by Sally Law on 27-Sep-2018
    You?re welcome, Craig!