Salt of the Earth

[Mark Dohle]

Salt of the Earth

I do believe that when trying to impress someone,
it will often fail because it is not ourselves being truly present.
When we become unconscious of the influence
we have with others, it is then that they can be impressed.

People who are themselves, look others in the eye,
listen, and because of self-knowledge, are slow to judge,
draw others to themselves. People like that are not
uncommon, but because they are not flashy, they are often
overlooked to the loss of many. They are called
‘salt of the earth people.—Br.MD​

 

[PureX]

"Salt of the Earth" is a very poetical, and abstract, phrase. And as with all things poetical, it will depend greatly on the context within which it is being used, for it's meaning and purpose. By itself, it is a vague and generally useless phrase.

Poetry is nice, but when discussing ideology, I think a more direct, literal approach is far more effective at conveying an idea.

 

[The Hammer]

"Salt of the Earth" is a very poetical, and abstract, phrase. And as with all things poetical, it will depend greatly on the context within which it is being used, for it's meaning and purpose. By itself, it is a vague and generally useless phrase.

Poetry is nice, but when discussing ideology, I think a more direct, literal approach is far more effective at conveying an idea.

But isn't the concept of abstract symbolism to get the hearer or reader to think critically as opposed to being spoon fed the info directly?

OP: interesting post, and fairly accurate IMO. Not the term is use, but interesting nonetheless.

 

[Windwalker]

It's interesting to think of the truth of what he says as the meaning of "salt of the earth". It gets you thinking, and that's its purpose, to inspire thought. Salt is a preservative, but in a sense, being that sort of light he describes in the world, does preserve it.

If there was never anything but inauthentic selves all the time, doesn't that lead to a type of rotting? But when the light of an authentic soul breathes life into the world, it inspires that authentic self in all of us to desire the light of day as well. It offers hope, a way out of the self-rot of the inauthentic self.

 

[PureX]

But isn't the concept of abstract symbolism to get the hearer or reader to think critically as opposed to being spoon fed the info directly?

Yes, but context becomes that much more important without the 'leading' of specificity. Something has to focus us on what to contemplate.

 

[Mark Dohle]

"Salt of the Earth" is a very poetical, and abstract, phrase. And as with all things poetical, it will depend greatly on the context within which it is being used, for it's meaning and purpose. By itself, it is a vague and generally useless phrase.

Poetry is nice, but when discussing ideology, I think a more direct, literal approach is far more effective at conveying an idea.

Both are needed I believe, thanks for your comment, well said.

peace
Mark

 

[Mark Dohle]

It's interesting to think of the truth of what he says as the meaning of "salt of the earth". It gets you thinking, and that's its purpose, to inspire thought. Salt is a preservative, but in a sense, being that sort of light he describes in the world, does preserve it.

If there was never anything but inauthentic selves all the time, doesn't that lead to a type of rotting? But when the light of an authentic soul breathes life into the world, it inspires that authentic self in all of us to desire the light of day as well. It offers hope, a way out of the self-rot of the inauthentic self.

I love the way you stated this, thank you.

Peace
Mark