Today's Word: Rodomontade
Well, I think we're all familiar with people who fall into the category of today's word!
Oh yes! It's all around us! A person who is a rodomontade is that swaggering fellow who builds himself up through loud and argumentative boasting.
In the late 15th and early 16th century, a series of Italian epics was penned. They focus on the exploits of a legendary warrior king named Rodomonte. Rodomonte drew his name from the Italian words that meant literally, 'roller of mountains'.
Soon the name became synonymous with people who claimed to have achieved the impossible.
Too often, we eagerly succumb to the gregarious charms of the rodomontade. They urge us with vigor and confidence! They have unwavering opinions and appeal to our innate need for security and strength.
But beware!
The rodomontade is still human, and when the boastful braggarts make it into positions of power and influence, look out! They're never wrong! They are above inspection or critique! Following such a person may feel empowering, but in the end, it can destroy years of hard work and integrity.
People! It's time to wake up and realize that we are all fallible! There are no fast and hard rules! Life is far more complex than that! With that realization must come the awareness that those who present themselves as beyond-reproach are dangerous and vain! It might be hard - because in examining our relationships, we may find that some of our most beloved mentors have in fact slipped to easily into the abuse of power. But if that's the case, it's all the more important that we stand firm because unmerited power always comes at the cost of human suffering!
If we really want to encourage an enlightened and modern society, we must accept that none of us can move mountains alone. We must be open to debate, and free from pride and smug pretentions! We must refuse to accept totalitarian ultimatums and we must fight the urge to suppress critical thought!
It's Monday!
Ok!
Oh yes! It's all around us! A person who is a rodomontade is that swaggering fellow who builds himself up through loud and argumentative boasting.
In the late 15th and early 16th century, a series of Italian epics was penned. They focus on the exploits of a legendary warrior king named Rodomonte. Rodomonte drew his name from the Italian words that meant literally, 'roller of mountains'.
Soon the name became synonymous with people who claimed to have achieved the impossible.
Too often, we eagerly succumb to the gregarious charms of the rodomontade. They urge us with vigor and confidence! They have unwavering opinions and appeal to our innate need for security and strength.
But beware!
The rodomontade is still human, and when the boastful braggarts make it into positions of power and influence, look out! They're never wrong! They are above inspection or critique! Following such a person may feel empowering, but in the end, it can destroy years of hard work and integrity.
People! It's time to wake up and realize that we are all fallible! There are no fast and hard rules! Life is far more complex than that! With that realization must come the awareness that those who present themselves as beyond-reproach are dangerous and vain! It might be hard - because in examining our relationships, we may find that some of our most beloved mentors have in fact slipped to easily into the abuse of power. But if that's the case, it's all the more important that we stand firm because unmerited power always comes at the cost of human suffering!
If we really want to encourage an enlightened and modern society, we must accept that none of us can move mountains alone. We must be open to debate, and free from pride and smug pretentions! We must refuse to accept totalitarian ultimatums and we must fight the urge to suppress critical thought!
It's Monday!
Ok!
posted by Noah at 5:00 PM
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