PURPOSE OF PARABLES
One of the ancient philosophers, the Stoic, Epictetus, wanted to teach his disciples a truth everyone needs to learn: that truth understood is of no value; it is truth acted upon which changes things. That is a great truth. But you can say that to people, and it seems to run right off their backs. Sometimes we try putting it in a little epigram, like “Practice What You Preach.” That says the same thing, but in a little more graphic way. But I think the old philosopher did it best, for he taught it this way: He gathered his disciples around and said, “Have you ever noticed that a sheep does not vomit up the grass it ate at the feet of the shepherd in order to impress him. The sheep digests it to produce wool and milk.” That is a vivid way of illustrating that truth, is it not? One you are not likely to forget! And that is what…
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