Nisat tells Ninus, “Strength and understanding are the two qualities that make a king. People usually believe that wisdom and knowledge can be learned, but people are fools. It is strength that can be learned. One has understanding or one doesn’t.” What do you think she means by this statement? Do you agree with her assessment?
Nisat seems to be saying that while people often believe wisdom and knowledge can be acquired through effort and experience, true understanding is innate—it’s something a person is born with or inherently possesses. On the other hand, she argues that strength, whether physical or mental, is a skill that can be developed and refined over time. Her statement implies that understanding is the rarer, more defining quality of a great leader, as it cannot be taught or learned. I do agree with her statement.
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No, I disagree with this statement. Wisdom and knowledge are definitely learned though not all choose to learn these things. One must make an effort to look around, engage in various activities with various people, think about the why of different viewpoints, and look for motivation and background experience of others. Early upbringing contributes much to this but is not a complete determiner. Physical strength is obtained through practice and training of the body and, also, involves motivation and drive. Many people are fools or perhaps, they have just not had the opportunity and encouragement to develop wisdom, knowledge, compassion and understanding.
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I’m not sure that physical strength is what she is referring to here. I think it is strength of character or mental strength/stamina to persist in whatever task is being undertaken. Not giving up or giving in to adversity.
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I agree that Nisat was referring to strength of character, not physical strength. Both character strength and understanding are capabilities we inherit but they are very much enhanced by our upbringing and knowledge we gain over our lifetime.
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I believe that all three can be learned. When I think of “strength” I always think of the fortitude to do what is right; not in terms of power. I believe it is a learned quality in that if one forces himself to do what is right it becomes easier each time. Each one of us is capable of acquiring knowledge based on our abilities. Yes, some individuals may be much more knowledgeable of certain fields than others, but everyone can acquire greater knowledge. One has to be open to acquiring wisdom by surrounding themselves with good people. Yes, there are individuals who have innate wisdom, but it is still something each of us work at.
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Nisat was such a fascinating character! This statement she makes to Ninus was revealing, in that it shows she believes great leaders need at least one “special gift” that cannot be learned. Only some are granted this gift of understanding, she seems to imply. Strength can be learned as in training, fighting, and experience governing can provide those lessons in how to be strong. But understanding is something else entirely.
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@Peggy_Kurkowski I thought Nisat was a fascinating character as well. I thought she would be worthy of a book all her own! She might not have officially been in charge, but she certainly wielded a lot of power.
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Indeed, Kim! Which is why I appreciate these historical novels that reveal how much power and influence women wielded behind the thrones, because it’s a fact that many women used the power available to them in their spheres to influence the men around them. Would we call that “soft power” in political terms? Fascinating, either way!
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