Page 22 - Big Idea

The Big Idea – Act 1

Everything in the world does what it does according to its own nature,
not some rules he makes up.

RIVAL 2: But if everybody knows he is a fool, then why do we care
what he says?

RIVAL 1: Because it is in the nature of some people to be fooled, and
to follow the person who fools them.

RIVAL 2: But he doesn’t fool us, eh, boss?

RIVAL 1: No, and I’ll tell you why:

While the philosopher seeks to find
Regularity concealed in things,
The ruler of men already knows
The final priorities of life.

And since he fully appreciates
That hierarchy always prevails,
He never hesitates to use it
To further his goals and ambitions.

But power exercised in this way
Doesn’t disturb society’s peace:
All that results is rearrangement,
Never a fundamental shake-up.

Nature’s order is not hidden:
Every creature in it is aware
Of whom it safely may dominate,
And to whom it is forced to submit.

That leaves nothing to speculation.
The hard facts of life are birth and death;
Given one, then avoid the other
By constantly strengthening your hand.

Now, our friend in there who thinks too much
Cannot really overturn this truth;
His potential for mischief resides
In finding new expressions of it.
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