Gulliver's Travels / Justice and Mercy
He said, the friendship between you and him was so well known to the world, that perhaps the most honourable board might think him partial; however, in obedience to the command he had received, he would freely offer his sentiments. That if his majesty, in consideration of your services, and pursuant to his own merciful disposition, would please to spare your life, and only give orders to put out both your eyes, he humbly conceived, that by this expedient justice might in some measure be satisfied, and all the world would applaud the lenity of the emperor, as well as the fair and generous proceedings of those who have the honour to be his counsellors. That the loss of your eyes would be no impediment to your bodily strength, by which you might still be useful to his majesty; that blindness is an addition to courage, by concealing dangers from us; that the fear you had for your eyes, was the greatest difficulty in bringing over the enemy’s fleet, and it would be sufficient for you to see by the eyes of the ministers, since the greatest princes do no more. “This proposal was received with the utmost disapprobation by the whole board.
Microstory
Under the dim light of the council chamber, the air thick with the scent of fear and respect, the adviser’s words hung heavily, a twisted act of mercy cloaked in the guise of wisdom. He imagined the protagonist, once proud and commanding, now reduced to a life without sight yet still tethered to the emperor's will, his strength unyielding despite the darkness. As the murmurs of discontent rippled through the board, the adviser could see the flickers of betrayal in their eyes, each member wrestling with the weight of their own moral compass amid the chilling echoes of power. (AI-generated story)
The text presents a complex negotiation of power dynamics and moral ambiguity, illustrating the harsh realities of court politics. The suggestion of blinding the individual in lieu of execution serves as a poignant commentary on the value of utility versus humanity in the face of authority. This scene resonates historically with the practices of rulers who often prioritized loyalty over ethical considerations, reflecting broader themes of sacrifice and the costs of service. The disapproval expressed by the board highlights the tension between individual worth and the expectations of the state, inviting readers to ponder the limits of justice and mercy within political machinations. (AI-generated commentary)