Bertrand Russell Quotes


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Duty to enemies is a difficult conception. Clemency was recognized as a virtue in antiquity, but only when it was successful, that is to say, when it turned enemies into friends ; otherwise, it was condemned as a weakness.
　Source:　Power, 1938.
　More Info.：https://russell-j.com/beginner/POWER15_150.HTM

* a brief comment:
I translated "a difficult conception" as "mutsukasii gainen (a difficult concept),," while ChatGPT rendered it as "rikai shigatai gainen" (a hard-to-understand concept." In response, I raised an objection, asking whether there might be a difference in nuance between "difficult" and "hard to understand" ? in other words, between "mutsukashii gainen" and "rikai shigatai gainen."
ChatGPT agreed with my view and responded as follows:
While the translation "a hard-to-understand concept" sounds natural and polite in Japanese, it risks narrowing the broader sense of difficulty inherent in the original word "difficult," which includes not only understanding but also acceptance and practical application. Therefore, a more faithful translation in this context would be:
"A difficult concept concerning duty to enemies."（敵に対する義務というのは、難しい概念である）
This better conveys the moral and practical difficulty that Russell intended.
Be careful with ChatGPT as interpretations can be shallow.

Narrow-mindedness toward enemies and indifference toward those who are not allies have been, throughout history, common traits among those who preach patriotism. * Amazon Gift Card