(July 14, 2020 at 4:33 pm)ModusPonens1 Wrote: 'Of all the things that are beyond my power, I value nothing more highly than to be allowed the honor of entering into bonds of friendship with people who sincerely love truth. For, of things beyond our power, I believe there is nothing in the world which we can love with tranquility except such men.' - Spinoza
I like that! I used to work in the defense business, which necessitated investigations every few years to make sure that I wasn't turning stupid. One investigator commented that my references thought highly of me. I choose my friends very carefully. Liars, gossips and assholes get left by the wayside. My circle of friends can all be depended on to do the right thing for me, and I for them. I don't have many people whom I will actually call "friend", but they are golden. We all call it like we see it, and our word to each other is our bond. We bust each other's chops when we screw up, and support each other when we know the other is right. I think we may be a dying breed.
If you get to thinking you’re a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else’s dog around.