Tao te Ching, from chapter 15:
"The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive.
The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable.
Because it is unfathomable,
All we can do is describe their appearance:
Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream.
Alert, like men aware of danger.
Courteous, like visiting guests.
Yielding, like ice about to melt.
Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood.
Hollow, like caves.
Opaque, like muddy pools.
Who can wait quietly while the mud settles?
Who can remain still until the moment of action?"
--Lao Tsu, translated by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English
Sometimes when a fight presents itself, over an issue like a Supreme Court nominee, or the nomination of a political arsonist to be our U.N. ambassador, or whether the United States Congress should give the president the authorization to launch war at will, based on his own discretion and "best judgment", there are voices who caution that we should "keep our powder dry" for later, when the right time to make a move comes.
This is a mistaken use of the wisdom expressed above. Whether or not it is purposely mistaken will vary from case to case. But the fact is that we are our own powder, constantly renewed, and any time a dissenting voice is needed, it should be heard. Anyone who cautions that "now is not the time" to engage an action by the opposition might not have the same interests as you do.
But in fact there is great power in waiting, and listening. It is, to borrow a phrase, a "force multiplier". It is the element that ensures that when you act, your action has maximum effect.
There is an extensive, brilliant post to be written about the light this sheds on our situation, but at the moment, let's start with the obvious:
When faced with a situation potentially divisive between members of your own group of allies, that is the very
first instance in which to show wise restraint. If you ever considered "holding fire" against the oppostion, for God's sake, claim that power for yourself in not firing on your allies.
People who "fire at will" tell you something about themselves. People who know how to wait and listen also establish a context for their credibility.
Sometimes someone here might throw a punch, and later say they're sorry, and buy a round of drinks. Other people will speak endlessly of the punch they witnessed, and how traumatized they were, and why we should all be disgusted with half of the people here.
So if someone tells me that the elections results are "plausible", and to "keep my powder dry", I question the notion that my powder is limited.
And if someone opens fire at will on an ally, I wonder why they're spending their powder so "liberally".
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