Tread Softly, Carry A Big Stick

1 September 2021

This is a navy town… and there are very often naval vessels moving through, in and around the sound. I find these vessels reassuring, since I absolutely do believe that – despite flaws – the West are the good guys (all you need to do to believe the same thing is make honest comparisons). This baby moved out a while ago, and I waved, with others, at the sailors assembled on board. I think I saw a few wink at me 😉
*The Romans had a saying… if you want peace, prepare for war. A similar adage goes, tread softly, carry a big stick.*
Practically, the way to state it best, in modern terms, is simply this: There are no guarantees of fairness. There is no floor which marks the furthest point a civilization may fall. If you want the good things, you must 1) work for it, and 2) guard it, whether others like it or not. The price of progress, and peace, and prosperity – is continual vigilance. And I for one am proud, and grateful, and supportive of, those that keep us safe. Steady as she goes…

Peter van der Walt is a fiction author, although you may find some non-fiction and the odd essay out there. Fans can find his newsletter, posts, updates and developments at petervanderwalt.com. Currently, he is hard at work on his next story. When not writing, he has far too many interests to reasonably keep up with. He lives with his partner in Devon, England.