thoughts on a Ruler -11/19/03
"Okay, you can write about how it's 12-inch, plastic, and urrr, boring... And how it's easily confused with a leader." -Andrew Mark Holcroft
Ok, so a ruler isn't the most philisophical thing in the world. But it has its points.
First, Mr. Holcroft has a point himself when he says that a ruler is easily confused with a leader. I, however would like to mention the liter (liquid unit of measurement) and the lieder (German art-song). I guess you could say the liter has the most in common with a ruler because, um, the liter is a unit of measurement and the ruler actually measures. The leader makes sure they don't hurt anyone, and... this German dude sings a song for them.
Ok... Enough of that scary scenario.
But what is the ruler good for?
Back in the Latin/Roman days, the root from which we now have the English word "true" usually referred to a board. Was it crooked or true? Builders would look down the long side of the board to decide if it had been cut right. Thus, True. True Faith, True Idea. And crooked board- Crooked Deal, Crooked Person, etc.
The Ruler has a similar role. It keeps our lines straight, and other tools like the Ruler make sure our house stands up straight, our computers are the right length, or even that we don't knock a hole into a weak part of our wall trying to put a poster up in the wrong place. (Not that I've done this, of course...)
Where to take it from here? The Ruler guides us in many aspects of our lives. But there are other Rulers that we must depend on to guide us and keep us from making stupid, easily avoidable mistakes. We have to realize these Rulers when we see them, and not resent or take for granted those things which have been placed in our life for a reason.
There, we learned something from a boring, 12-inch plastic ruler. There is a reason for everything, even if we don't see it yet. And there are ways that have been provided to help keep us on the right path. We just have to see them for what they are and use them. It could prevent a lot of stupid mistakes further down the road.
Thanks to you, Mr. Holcroft!