Outgrowing Is Good For The Soul

After the battle of Salamis the fame of Themistocles, who led Athens to victory, against Persia was very high. His virtues and charisma made him unassailable. In the eyes of the young he could never be wrong. So high was he in the eyes of the man on the street which made some elders uneasy. Democritus, the philosopher, even went to the extent of declaring that the hero of Salamis should be outlawed lest he became too powerful. Naturally the Athenian youths were outraged. Some of them banded together and vowed that their patriotism shall never measure, no more or less than of Themistocles.
Democritus, the philosopher, ridiculed the hotheaded youths for their misplaced patriotism. When a youth insisted that it was Themistocles who won the battle, the philosopher said: "If a battle is won merely on account of one man, he is the most dangerous one that I know of."
"Why do you say that?" asked the youth.
"Man being what he is, he could cause the downfall of a nation as easily as he gained victory."
The impressionable youth remained unconvinced till their hero went into exile. When they heard that Themistocles had sought refuge in the court of Persia they were so let down.
*Everything of the world is given to changes. Truth of action is where each person has freedom to change opinions if they are found not to be true.
benny