Wings of Wax

Consider the uneven, often disappointing nature of human authority, leadership, responsibility and accountability. It is based more or less on our strength, intelligence, character and wisdom, our ideas and conceptual constructs, our created institutions. But our best intentions, qualities and ideals--individually and collectively--too often tarnish and disappoint, lights that glow, then dim or fail. And the institutions we have fashioned--both secular and religious--to advance our potential, to encourage our best conduct, have also stumbled or failed. What testament is that to man's nature and potential? Like Icarus, we would fly closer to the sun, but consumed by our virtuosity and vanity, we forget we have but waxen wings to carry us there.

Alas, we are flawed people and flawed organizations of people. We are too taken with our virtuosity, and express to easily, often too naturally, our vanity. We too often fail our ideas and ideals. And even if the best of our institutions, by acclamation, are "better than whatever is in second place," they are not nearly good enough.