Over the last week I listened to the audiobook “The expendables” by the economist Jeff Rubin. This book offers analysis and insights into the history of free trade and its impact on local economies. It triggers a lot of thoughts, and I will try to capture mine at a later point in time. One particular phrase from the book stuck in my head – it stands out from the otherwise very rational narrative throughout the book. In conjunction with the discussion of the political and economical events that led to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia Rubin remarks that concerns raised by Putin over some time had not been addressed and triggered his military response. (Warning: the statement to follow may be offensive to some).
“If you shove a stick up a polar bears ass, unlikely will it turn the other cheek”
I will contain my own fantasy and leave it to the comedy world to discover this quote. The original text in Mathew 5.39 reads:
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also”.
So, the intent matches or the negation thereof but somehow the semantics of the phrase in the book and the historical refences as used feel a little bit off.