"Peacefare?
"Sure. Sun Tzu builds on the assumption of there being two adversaries, each represented and directed by a commander. He says to compare the leaders and their armies as a way to gauge the situation, because from that assessment, all else follows.
Derek nodded, then shifted his gaze towards the fountain.
"The thing is, there's a side-effect to making that assessment. Comparison, with the intent of determining dominance, means looking for differences. By doing it, you affect the symbols you harbor representing the two sides, further strengthening the distinction. Take that to an extreme, which is not something Sun Tzu suggests, and you end up with the kind of good versus evil dichotomy that fuels religious wars.
While Richard talked, Derek studied the trio of robed figures in the middle of the cast iron sculpture and wondered what they were.
"Well, if we're turning the idea around, wouldn't you want to start by seeing how the parties are alike?
In the silence that followed, Derek slowly turned back towards Richard. "There's something else. Something you're not telling me. That was meant for both of us. Why?
He shrugged. "You guys are born adversaries. I told you. I have a knack.
THE END
[This is the 4th story in a series that started with "Motivation"]
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