Ignobility

Today, I would like to tell you a little story…

One day, Cairbre, son of the High King of Ireland, Cormac Mac Aírt,

also known as Cormac Ulfada (Cormac Long Beard),

came to his father for counsel,

“Father, how might I recognize a dishonourable and ignoble leader?”

"Ahh, indeed my son…that is clear enough to see.

Three signs of a dishonourable and ignoble leader are thus:

Capricious in character.

Fallacious in word.

Tyrannical in deed.

A man (hu-man be-ing)* such as this

would sell —

would indenture —

his honour,

his soul

and

his

clan

into servitude

and slavery

for a trifling, token semblance —

a paltry pretence of —

power,

prestige,

position,

privilege

and

wealth.

Such a man (hu-man be-ing)* is but

a mere caricature —

a mere mockery —

of

a

True

Leader.

— a literary adaptation of a conversation between Cormac mac Aírt (aka Cormac Ulfada (Cormac The Long Beard), one-hundred and sixteenth Árd Rígh (High King or Chieftain) of Ireland, and his son Cairbre, as recorded in the Tecosca Cormaic (The Teachings of Cormac), compiled in the 9th century CE

Note:

I have chosen to use the word “man” in its eytmologically original and inclusive sense, to simply represent a hu-man be-ing —

whether of male or female gender.

The chieftains —

the elders or leaders —

of the tribes of the ancient Gaels,

as with most ancient Celtic and Germanic tribes,

were often of the male gender.

Though that being said however,

it was not at all uncommon for women to take on the role of chieftain as well,

which the historical records currently available to us, clearly assert and affim.

Thus my intent and use of the word “man” is in the broadest and most inclusive sense —

simply analogous to:

“hu-man

be-ing.”

May your every breath be peace.

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