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Thought for the Term

Clifton College's Chaplain, Kim Taplin, brings us his 'Thought for the Term'

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Fairness or Justice?

In 1 Kings 3 v 16 – 28, there is a well-known story of Solomon’s wisdom in action. Two women of doubtful-repute came to him to resolve their heated dispute. Both lived in the same house with their newborn sons. One accidentally suffocated her baby in bed by laying on him as she slept. Then, cunningly, she swapped the babies over as the other woman dozed. In the morning, as you can imagine, there was pandemonium!

What was Solomon’s judgement? He went for 50-50 fairness; he ordered that the baby should be cut in two, by a sword, so that the women would each receive a half. The real mother protested, suggesting that she would rather the baby be given to the other woman than for it to be killed. Solomon’s ploy had worked. Having identified true maternal love, he re-united mother and child.

This is the practical wisdom we desire of all our leaders – a blending of insight, shrewdness and tact which penetrates the many disguises of human behaviour, and deftly explores the true motives which lie beneath.

9 May 2011

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