People with physical deformities often feel at odds with nature. Nature may have treated them unfairly, and in response, they tend to retaliate against it. The Bible describes such people as “void of natural affection,” meaning they often struggle to form typical emotional bonds. This can lead to a mindset of revenge against their condition.
There is, undoubtedly, a connection between the body and the mind. When nature makes a mistake in one, it risks an imbalance in the other. However, while the body’s shape is fixed, the shape of the mind remains within our control. Discipline and virtue, like the sun, can overpower and overcome our bad habits and natural tendencies. So, deformity should not be seen merely as a sign of weakness but as something that often produces remarkable effects.
When someone has something about them that others make fun of, they often develop a strong desire to prove people wrong and earn respect. This leads many deformed people to become incredibly bold. At first, this boldness arises as a defence mechanism against scorn. Over time, however, it becomes a habit, shaping their character. Such individuals are often industrious, paying close attention to the flaws of others so they can even the score.
Interestingly, deformity can lessen the jealousy of those in positions of power. Superiors may view deformed individuals as harmless or unthreatening, dismissing the possibility that they could rise to prominence. Competitors often underestimate them until they see these individuals achieve success. In this way, great intellect combined with deformity can become an unexpected advantage in climbing the ranks.
In ancient times, kings often entrusted eunuchs with significant responsibilities. Eunuchs, excluded from traditional ambitions, were seen as loyal and useful informants rather than as leaders or administrators. Similarly, deformed people often succeed not because they are trusted to govern, but because they are skilled observers and strategists. Their drive to escape scorn can lead them to excel, either through virtue or, at times, through cunning.
History offers examples of remarkable individuals who overcame physical challenges to achieve greatness. Agesilaus, the Spartan king; Zanger, son of Solyman the Magnificent; Æsop, the famed storyteller; and Gasca, a celebrated governor of Peru, all rose above their circumstances. Even Socrates, known for his unconventional appearance, belongs among such company.
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