henrypaget.com

Symmetry is synonymous with justice, and asymmetry is synonymous with injustice. For example, when one person does the heavy lifting in friendships while the other person does nothing, this is an asymmetry and the friendship will not last (unless one person is an idiot), whereas if the relationship is built on mutual appreciation, fairness and justice, it can flourish.

The biblical wisdom of “an eye for an eye” is not meant to be taken literally; it’s meant to emphasise the principle of justice. For example, if someone blinds you and takes your eye out, the one who commits the crime won’t necessarily lose their own eye, but what this wisdom calls for is a punishment that is in proportion to the crime.

All the best wisdom includes symmetry in it; symmetry calls for the golden rule: to treat others as you’d like to be treated.

Avoid asymmetries at all costs

To let people take from you without offering anything is a grave injustice, and being the “better person” or “turning the other cheek” won’t cut it; you’ll just enable the injustice further by not addressing it.

“Turning the other cheek” is helpful in the sense that it helps you bear your cross and avoid becoming bitter towards other people, but too many people mistake “turning the other cheek” for being a doormat and a pushover.

Justice and injustice are both real, and if you live your life in asymmetric ways, don’t be surprised when life doesn’t go how you like it to.

We live at a time when asymmetry is at an all-time high

Politicians sit in their nicely air-conditioned offices making decisions that negatively impact millions of people, while they receive zero consequences for their actions. They still get paid a handsome salary until they are voted out, but even still, sometimes these leaders are looked after well for the rest of their lives.

Contrast this with the Roman military commander Crassus, who paid for his decision to attempt to conquer the land of Parthia (modern-day Iraq). He and his men were defeated, and Crassus paid for his greedy attempt at taking over Parthia with the Parthian king, Orodes II, executing him by pouring molten gold down his throat.

In ancient times, military commanders paid for their actions; now they go unpunished, along with many other people on the internet.