Western people ask me whether it is a paradox that I am King but support democracy. I have to tell them that in Thailand, the King is the guarantor of democracy.
Bhumibol AdulyadejRead
People get angry at others who express a different opinion, while, in fact, they should be angry at themselves. But we must be angry at ourselves the most when we say something today, only to say something else tomorrow.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and consistency in our beliefs and opinions.
Bhumibol Adulyadej highlights a common human tendency to react with anger towards others for differing opinions rather than confronting our own contradictions. He suggests that we should recognize our own flaws and inconsistencies in thought as a greater source of frustration, as it undermines our integrity and credibility when we change our statements or beliefs over time.
In practice
In a discussion about political beliefs, one might use this quote to remind participants to consider their own changing views.
Western people ask me whether it is a paradox that I am King but support democracy. I have to tell them that in Thailand, the King is the guarantor of democracy.
My mother praised me when I did something good, and then the next moment, she would say, 'Don't float.' She put me in a balloon and then pricked it.
They say that a kingdom is like a pyramid: the king on top and the people below. But in this country, it's upside down.
No evil can happen to a good man either in life or after death.
Nothing that was real ever died, only names, forms, and illusions.
Some people take the view that the universe is simply there, and it runs along - it's a bit as though it just sort of computes, and we happen by accident to find ourselves in this thing. I don't think that's a very fruitful or helpful way of looking at the universe.
He who does not see the kingdom of heaven in this life will never see it in the coming life.
And I think both the left and the right should celebrate people who have different opinions, and disagree with them, and argue with them, and differ with them, but don't just try to shut them up.
All that hullabaloo about somebody's net worth is just stupid, and it's made my life a lot more complex and difficult.
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