When they arrived home, Marlon began typing the data he had gathered into his laptop, eager to preserve the knowledge he and his twin sister had acquired at the city library that day. He was filled with excitement as he typed, his smile never leaving his lips. He hoped that the thesis he was working on would be beneficial to many people.
After saving all the data, he went to Riri's room to discuss what they had learned.
Marlon and Riri sat in silence. The old man's words hung in the air, leaving an unusual stillness between them. The afternoon breeze that blew through Riri's window seemed to carry a deep reflection of the new knowledge they had gained.
Finally, Riri spoke, her voice quieter than usual. "So... do you think we can't simply say that something is entirely evil or entirely good?"
Marlon nodded slowly. "Exactly. What is considered a sin, in a different context, could be seen as a virtue. On the other hand, virtues practiced excessively, without considering reality, could turn into disasters." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a coin, and placed it on the table. "Look at this. One coin, but it has two sides. Just like human nature."
Riri picked up the coin, spinning it between her fingers. "So, the point is balance?" she asked, her eyes watching the light reflect off the worn surface of the coin.
Marlon smiled. "More precisely, it's about understanding when and how to use both sides. Have you ever heard the story of a king who was consumed by his generosity?"
Riri furrowed her brow. "A king consumed by generosity? Isn't generosity always good?"
Marlon chuckled lightly. "That's what most people think. But listen to this story. A long time ago, there was a king who was extremely generous. He gave everything to his people—land, gold, food. He wanted everyone to be happy. But what happened?"
Riri looked at Marlon with a serious expression, waiting for him to continue the story.
"The people became lazy. They no longer worked or made any effort. They simply waited for the king to provide everything. The once prosperous kingdom began to fall into poverty. Eventually, the land collapsed, and the generous king died in sorrow, realizing that his good intentions had brought about destruction."
Riri bit her lip. "So... if it's excessive, even virtue can be destructive. By the way, who is this king you're talking about?"
"There are several kings I've read about who faced tragedies like this," Marlon answered, handing over a sheet of paper he had printed earlier.
King Wenceslas I (Good King Wenceslas) – BohemiaWenceslas I was a Bohemian king known for his generosity to the people. He often gave food and wealth to the poor.However, his overly lenient policies caused some of the nobles and the people to lose respect for him.In the end, he was betrayed and killed by his own brother, who believed his leadership was too weak and not strong enough to defend the kingdom.
Emperor Chongzhen – Ming Dynasty (China)Emperor Chongzhen tried to be a just ruler and sought to reduce the tax burden on his people.However, without economic pressure, many people became less productive and more dependent on the royal aid.The Ming Dynasty ultimately collapsed due to a combination of corruption, the people's laziness, and attacks from the Qing Dynasty.
The Mythological Tale "The Generous King"In several folk tales from the Middle East and India, there is a story about a king whose generosity was so great that his people stopped working, relying entirely on aid.Eventually, the kingdom's economy weakened, production declined, and the nation became vulnerable, eventually being attacked by another kingdom.
"To summarize," Marlon said, "In history, the balance between generosity and firm leadership is crucial. A leader who is too kind can lose control of their people, while a leader who is too harsh can incite rebellion."
Riri tried to summarize what Marlon was conveying to her. "So, in history, the balance between generosity and leadership is key. A leader who is too good can lose control, and one who is too harsh can spark a revolt."
Marlon nodded. "Exactly. The same applies to sin. If used within reasonable limits, in the right context, something deemed bad can be beneficial. Take greed, for example. If a merchant lacks ambition or the desire to profit, can they sustain their business?"
Riri sighed. "So, we need to understand when to use certain traits and when to hold them back. It's not just about seeing things in black and white."
Marlon smiled with satisfaction. "You're beginning to understand the essence. This world is never as simple as we think. If we truly want to understand more deeply, we can't just read books. We must go out and see the world with our own eyes."
Riri and Marlon. In their hearts, they knew that this conversation was just the beginning of a long journey to seek a deeper understanding of the gray world they lived in.