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"Take away a man's gun and it is no guarantee that he will not strike if aroused.
Ida M. Tarbell, "Peacemakers: Blessed and Otherwise," 1922 It is hard to believe that truer words were ever written. It is easy to pass laws, but much harder to have the discussions—we need to have—to change men's and women's hearts. Only the latter approach leads to a foundation upon which to build a strong foundation for democracy. Peter E. Greulich
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Yes, Americans want their leaders to be virginally spotless when they speak of themselves, their policies, or their beliefs, but in order to deliver on those policies, our unwillingness to accept even a temporary setback sometimes issues forth a devil behind closed doors.
During his time, Mr. Procter had to balance investments wisely between his stakeholder communities as he transitioned the company from manufacturing soap almost like it was made in home kettles to an automated, massive production machine with a hundred “kettles,” each one of which was three stories high, heated by steam coils, and filled with 175,000 pounds of fats/oils, caustic soda solution, and salts.
… investing in the corporation’s products, processes and people, expanding into new markets, and maintaining a sound financial position.
"Let us understand the real thing; that it is not the building that makes the business, it is not the merchandise that makes the business, it is the people.
"It is all people, people, people." John Wanamaker, The Business Biography of John Wanamaker It seems all too predictable that our chief executives always have to "relearn" that business is always about people, people, people, isn't it? Peter E. Greulich
"My association with him was such that I formed convictions as to his philosophy of life, his character and his abilities which have deepened during these four decades. My approval of him is based solely on my own experiences with him and my knowledge of the forces with which he had to deal. ...
"His philosophy of American living was based upon free enterprise, both in social and in economic systems. He held that economic system must be regulated to prevent monopoly and unfair practices. He believed that federal intervention in the economic or social life of our people was justified only when the task was greater than the states or individual could perform for themselves. ... "Coming from an academic ivory tower with only a brief political career, he at times stumbled badly in the thicket of politics, ... but ... with his courage and eloquence, he carried a message of hope for the independence of nations, the freedom of men and lasting peace. Never since his time has any man risen to the political and spiritual heights that came to him. His proclaimed principles of self-government and independence aided the spread of freedom to twenty-two races at the time of the Armistice." Herbert Hoover, The Ordeal of Woodrow Wilson, 1958 Sometimes we forget that terms - such as liberal that we cast about flippantly today - carried a different meaning to those who used the words just a half century ago. I believe from all I have read, including Woodrow Wilson's The New Freedom [link to review], I would have enjoyed knowing this man. Peter E. Greulich
“Freedom to Wilson was the supreme blessing of man. Democratic government was superior to all others because it gave to men the greatest measure of individual liberty. Individual liberty—the words are inseparable [emphasis added]. The individual, Wilson said, is the ‘first fact of liberty.’ There can be ‘no corporate liberty,’ he pointed out. ‘Liberty belongs to the individual or it does not exist.’
“These are the keys to human progress. Wilson knew that only individuals, not government, can provide the sense of moral responsibility which is the basis of a just and enduring society.” Bernard M. Baruch, The Public Years, 1960
"The road that leads away from revolution is clearly marked, for it is defined by the nature of men and of organized society. … The nature of men and of organized society dictates … the highest and purest standards of justice … We should not entertain a narrow or technical conception of justice.
Shouldn't we cooperate to prevent conflict and revolution? The path of evolution, not revolution, is best served by a system of justice. Peter E. Greulich
When a few—in two different centuries—take it on themselves to destroy those things they don't want to see, read or listen to, are they the equivalent of each other?
How far back do we go into history to uproot history and make it conform to our current beliefs of what is right? How far back can we go and see into the heart of a man or woman to judge their actions? Are we all now gifted clairvoyants? Were any of us there at an individual's last breath to know their regrets? Won't history a century from now look on today's actions with a different set of eyes and new judgments? Will it know our last breath's regrets?
Maybe, at times, the few do know better . . . maybe, at times, they don't . . . but is either . . . . . . following the enlightened path of democracy? Does either change the heart of the individual, which is mandatory for a true internal change of character that will be reflected in a democratic society's long-term culture? . . . . . . Don't we need a better way in a republic built on democratic principles? Isn't the answer to all these questions simple? An answer provided 2000 years ago: Let him who is without sin cast the first stone . . . light the first fire . . . or swing the axe first. Peter E. Greulich, A List of Questions with One Answer
Scary, but unfortunately true. My best friends are those who use their eyes to truly see me and then share what they see. It isn't always easy to hear, but the "penetrating" perspective is always the most profitable when shared by one close to you with love, tenderness and care. True friends have eyes that "see you" with the "gift of penetration" and then share their thoughts "out of love." Peter E. Greulich, Putting a Machiavellian idea into positive practice
Amen! Bernie Peter E. Greulich
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Peter E. GreulichPete has been studying IBM and early American corporate history since his retirement in 2011. These are his thoughts and musings, and of those whose biographies he has read with links to articles and book reviews on this website. Categories
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