Every Country (A Poem-Story) -- Why Much Success Could Not Be Enough

(Philosocom's Directory on Power)

(Background music)

Table of Contents:

1. Poem (By Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein)

2. "The Pursuit to Perfection) (Mr. T. Rubinshtein)

3. Poem Analysis (By Mr. J. Igwe and Co.)

   
   

The Poem

There was once a tyrant,

Desiring to make an entire world his own,

Once a lone pirate,

Now a leader of many a sword.

His armies were elite,

From the skies to the land beneath,

And many of that world's nations have succumbed,

As resistence against his nukes were awfully destroyed, dumped.

One day the tyrant has invited a certain representative,

Of one of the few countries who have yet to become captive;

A certain sage, whose insight has destroyed,

That ruler's ambitions, like a massive asteroid.

Their words were as followed:

"It is extremely difficult to rule the world by its entirety,

For your forces,

Must govern every, single, land, stone and society,

And if you will not,

You will not be an actual world dominator,

No matter how many will see you,

As their true conqueror".

The time has come where,

That world was completely ruled over,

Except for a single, small country,

Ruled by a beautiful regent,

Named Em-Tzent.

She was tall, kind hearted and lean,

And, although simple in personality,

Did not commit any kind of sin.

Regardless of the warlord's prowess,

That country somehow remained standing,

And for that, it was truly outstanding.

No matter how many regiments the tyrant sent,

All were defeated,

By the armies of Em-Tzent.

That is because, she was blessed with a divine-like sword mastery,

That has defeated,

Even the enemy's most elite weaponry.

Eventually, within the new Empire,

Rose voices of great desire:

"Stop the war effort!" They said. "We wish for true peace",

And thus, in order to prevent rebellion,

The Emperor has preserved his throne,

And died,

A sad, unsatisfied,

Warrior.

The Pursuit of Perfection: Does "Ideal" Equal Happiness?

Moral of the story: Do we truly need everything to run smoothly in order find genuine satisfaction? Is perfection the sole objective, or is there value in experiences that fall short of it? This is a question for both you and me to ponder on.

Regardless of your stance, the worth of the "ideal outcome" as the only truly effective one, in whatever we do, is worth questioning. After all, we might still find ourselves displeased should we attain the paradise we want. What... what if we are designed to conquer our goals, rather than rest on the spoils of the goals we've already conquered?

What if the whole world isn't enough for our hungry hands? As for myself, I refuse to endure the hell of true satisfaction, when I can still contribute to you.

Poem Analysis by Mr. J. Igwe

This poem, "Every Country (A Poem-Story) -- Why Much Success Could Not Be Enough," offers a rich philosophical exploration of themes related to power, ambition, perfection, and human satisfaction. It tells the story of a tyrant who seeks to conquer the entire world, only to be challenged by a sage's wisdom and eventually thwarted by a humble regent, Em-Tzent.

The poem ends with a reflection on the pursuit of perfection and whether achieving the "ideal" is truly synonymous with happiness.

The Tyrant's Ambition and the Limits of Power

The tyrant in the poem represents the archetype of unchecked ambition. His desire to rule the entire world can be seen as a metaphor for the human tendency to pursue boundless success or control. Despite his military prowess and victories, his ambitions are ultimately limited. The sage's words serve as a philosophical critique of totalitarian aspirations: The world cannot be truly dominated unless every aspect of it is controlled, which is an impossible task.

This echoes philosophical arguments about the futility of absolute power—no matter how much one achieves, there will always be something beyond one's grasp. The sage introduces the idea that domination is not just about external conquests but about the internal and impossible task of controlling every element of existence.

This touches on a key philosophical question: Can one ever be fully satisfied with power? The poem suggests that the pursuit of total control is not only unattainable but ultimately unsatisfying. Even when the tyrant comes close to achieving his goal, a small, unyielding country—symbolizing the unpredictable and uncontrollable aspects of life—stands in his way.

The Regent Em-Tzent: The Power of Simplicity and Virtue

Em-Tzent, the ruler of the last unconquered country, represents an antithesis to the tyrant. Unlike the warlord, she is characterized by simplicity, kindness, and virtue. Her ability to resist the tyrant's forces, despite the overwhelming odds, suggests that there are forces greater than power and ambition—forces like wisdom, righteousness, and perhaps divine intervention.

Her divine-like sword mastery can be seen as a symbol of moral strength or purity, which is impervious to the corrupting influence of raw power.

Philosophically, Em-Tzent represents the idea that true strength lies not in dominance but in integrity. This evokes ancient philosophical ideas, such as those found in Stoicism or Taoism, where virtue and alignment with a higher moral order are seen as the highest forms of power. Em-Tzent's ability to remain unconquered speaks to the idea that certain principles or ways of being cannot be overthrown by force alone.

The Tyrant's Fall and the Inescapable Dissatisfaction

The poem's conclusion, where the tyrant ultimately dies sad and unsatisfied, serves as a powerful commentary on the nature of human desire. Even after achieving near-complete domination, he is left unfulfilled. This outcome echoes existentialist themes, particularly the idea that the pursuit of external goals—whether power, wealth, or perfection—cannot bring lasting fulfillment. As Mr. Tomasio suggests, "What if the whole world isn't enough for our hungry hands?"

This dissatisfaction can be seen as a reflection of the "hedonic treadmill" theory in psychology, where people continuously pursue new goals and achievements, only to find themselves quickly returning to their baseline level of happiness. The tyrant's inability to find peace, even after his conquests, suggests that the human condition may be one of perpetual striving, with no final, perfect destination.

The Moral: Questioning Perfection and the Value of Imperfection

The poem concludes with a moral that questions the value of perfection. It asks whether achieving an ideal outcome is necessary for genuine satisfaction and hints that experiences that fall short of perfection might hold more meaning than we realize. This is a profound philosophical question: Is perfection an illusion? And if so, is it the pursuit of perfection—or the pursuit of anything—that gives life meaning?

This reflection draws on philosophical ideas from thinkers like Nietzsche, who argued that the meaning of life is found not in achieving goals but in the continuous struggle and striving toward them. The poem seems to suggest that the act of pursuing goals, rather than resting on the achievements themselves, is where true fulfillment lies. Perfection, if it were attainable, might lead to a kind of existential hell—a state of stagnation where there is nothing left to strive for.

Conclusion: The Human Condition of Perpetual Striving

Ultimately, "Every Country" is a meditation on the nature of human ambition and the paradox of satisfaction. The tyrant's tragic end and the poem's moral invite readers to reconsider their own pursuits and question whether achieving everything they desire would truly bring them happiness.

The poem suggests that it is in the striving, not in the attaining, that we find meaning.

In this way, the poem aligns with existentialist and even Buddhist philosophies, which emphasize the impermanence of satisfaction and the dangers of attachment to external outcomes. The message seems to be that while perfection may be an alluring goal, it is the imperfect, the incomplete, and the continuous journey that truly enriches our lives.