What good does religion offer the world today?

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The anvil is the foundation on which man molds his creations. It's solid and reliable. The solid foundation of the man is what counts. #silly

You and I.

So do you think it is better to be the hammer or anvil?

Yes it's a load of old bollocks. I imagine being one inanimate object is very much like another.

There are many lessons to be learned from inanimate objects. Lesson one: They become animated by those who possess them.

i.e. the laborer/artist who possesses the hammer, is there nothing to be learned from this iconic image?

Hammer; it has more uses.

Not if one has already had a decent education.

cicerone imposter, Izzy just said that you haven't had a decent education.

Don't worry too much, Izzy says lots of really dumb things.

Not worried about my lack of a "decent education." I've been retired since 1998, and have traveled the world - having visited over 80 countries on over 200 trips. I did work for several companies in management positions and did consulting work during my work years. Saved and invested well, and can travel any place on this planet. Have been to Iceland, Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Russia, all over South America and Europe, and traveled the equivalent of about 25 times around earth. Have many friends around the world.
If my "decent education" failed me, I'm not sure where and why.
Earned a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. Did pretty well with it. Minor was Philosophy (got a better grade in Philosophy). There were two full classes in Accounting 101. By the time I graduated with Advanced Accounting, there were only three of us left.

Oh, I thought this was a forum.

A decent education does not always guarantee skill.

Was that a throw away statement? LOL

I respect both your education and skill CI, I admire your travels and I find your opinions and insights enlightening.

We go back a long ways CI (nearly 10 years or so) and I own you thanks for helping me become a better me, from your many posts (along with other friends) that helped me to throw off the religious dogma and simply enjoy the freedom of living a good life. THANK YOU.

The anvil and hammer analogy and I go back a long ways too.

I was just wondering if anyone here had been educated, as I had, on the meaning thereof.

So far no one has quite erm, nailed it. (pun)

I will hold out a while longer, eventually I will reveal another meaning.

It is fun to hear the opinions of others too.

We have similar interests, but my fav color is baby grayish-blue. .....

Okay I will reveal to you all the parable of the "anvil of truth"...

The fortune cookie is only partly right.

It is at times better to be the hammer rather than the anvil.

The hammer does the pounding and the anvil takes a pounding.

So in that sense it may be better to pound upon something than be constantly pounded upon.

That is...

Unless the anvil represents "truth".

In the inception of The United States, our founding fathers forged an anvil of truth...

This anvil is comprised of our Declaration of Independence and our US Constitution.

Within this anvil are pure ideals made of the hardest metals, that all people are created equal, that we have inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, that we are free from tyrannical rule because our government is created a common wealth; of, for and by the people. That we have equality, liberty and justice for all.

This is the anvil of truth.

Over the years many have tried to pound away at these rights.

They have with their hammer misused the anvil to try and fashion objects of hate, inequality and fear.

They have pounded away and designed religious edicts that contradict the anvil of truth and they have tried to pound this anvil into the dust.

But the hammers just over time wear out and the anvil of truth still stands.

So is it better to be a hammer or an anvil?

Well, if your hammer is true and if it respects the anvil of truth then you will shape a life of happiness with your hammer and you will harmonize with the heart and will of the anvil.

But if your hammer creates objects of hate and tyranny then the anvil will eventually wear out your hammer's pounding and your hammer will fall into the pile of broken and useless tools of indifference.

For many hammers have pounded away at the anvil of truth and it is the anvil that still stands.

If you decide to be an hammer rather than an anvil then choose your object of artistry wisely. For the anvil of truth it endures all of the pounding away and the hammers eventually just wear out.

Fashion something that compliments the truth of the anvil and you will save yourself a lot of useless pounding onto something that will not ever be moved.

I enjoy philosophy, and it was my minor in college, but your anvil and hammer went way ...... over my head.

The hammers wear out but the anvil endures many poundings.

When you become an anvil of truth then you become driven by principles rather than people.

You lose your friends so you can gain self respect instead.

The frenzied hammers may pound away at your hardened exterior but the truth holds you firm and motivates you to withstand the abuse.

You will be pounded with bias, bigotry, racism, sexism, elitism, religion, chauvinism, pride, greed, bribery, lies, rhetoric, ego... and with each blow you respond back with the truth.

For it is futile for them to challenge truth with such implements.

You will profit little and fight for every bit of respect, they will try and ignore you and vote you down to zero.

But you will have retained your good character and ethics.

They all have fake friends and live surrounded by mistrust, your rewards will endure any and all who try and defeat you. You will be in the company of many great people who have also withstood the onslaught for this cause..

You can number yourself with the other anvils of truth who also sought only that the truth be heard.

You are not alone, the anvil of truth is with you and it will bring you peace amid the futile poundings of those who have no remorse.