THE WISDOM OF H.I.M. EMPEROR HAILE SELASSIE I

ON COLONIALISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS:

Human Rights

Colonialism and the policy of racism impose soul searching questions of human rights, weighing equally on the conscience of all men and nations of good-will. History amply shows that the freedom enjoyed by the many becomes fragile when the denial, even to the few, of basic human rights is tolerated.

Our efforts as free men must be to establish new relationships, devoid of any resentment and hostility, restored to our belief and faith in ourselves as individuals, dealing on a basis of equality with other equally free people.

We believe in cooperation and collaborration to promote the cause of international security, the equality of man and the welfare of mankind.

We believe in the peaceful settlement of all disputes without resorting to force.

All well ordered and modern states can only base themselves upon Courts of Justice and Conduct of Laws which are just, correct and geared towards the protection of the rights of individuals. Justice is a product of education.

Man’s ingratitude to man is often manifested in willingness to relegate human beings to the scrapheaps of life when they enter the twilight of their careers and younger brains and stronger arms are found to replace them.

– H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I

ON RELIGION:

Religious Tolerance

“Since nobody can interfere in the realm of God we should tolerate and live side by side with those of other faiths. In the mystic traditions of the different religions we have a remarkable unity of spirit. Whatever religion they may profess, they are spiritual kinsmen. While the different religions in their historic forms bind us to limited groups and militate against the development of loyalty to the world community, the mystics have already stood for the fellowship of humanity in harmony with the spirit of the mystics of ages gone by.

“No one should question the faith of others, for no human being can judge of the ways of God.”
– H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I

Religion and Spirituality

We have to stop confusing religion and spirituality. Religion is rules, laws, and rituals, made by man….In reason of the imperfection of man the religion has became corrupt, and politic, has been divided, and became a tool in the fight for power. Spirituality is no theologie, no idéologie. It’s simply a way of life, pure and original, who have been give to us by the créator. Spirituality is a net who join us all together, to the most high and to the universe.”
– H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I

ON POWER:

The Essence of Power

“The power which you possess is but one side of the coin; the other is responsibility. There is no power or authority without responsibility, and he who accepts the one cannot escape or evade the other. Each one of you and each servant of the Ethiopian nation and people would do well to ponder these words, to take them to his heart, and to guide his conduct in accordance with their teachings. This is the challenge which faces you today. Let your labours here during the coming year demonstrate your capacity to meet it. May Almighty God guide and assist you in your work.”

H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I

Dissent, Power and Tolerance

The systems of Government which have sought to impose uniformity of belief have survived briefly and then expired, blinded and weakened by obsessive reliance upon their supposed infallibility. The only system of Government which can survive is one which is prepared to tolerate dissent and criticism and Which accepts these as useful and in any case, inevitable aspects of all social and political relations.

The tolerance of dissent and criticism within a Government proceeds from a single essential premise: that the Government exists to serve the people generally. Government servants, whether designated as representatives or not, have a trust to work for the general welfare.

The same trust exists among the member states of international organizations. The members of such organizations must adhere to some tacit or expressed conception of international welfare.

– H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I

ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND WEALTH:

Community Development

The fundamental purpose of a community development movement is to teach the rural people of Our Empire that through cooperative self-help and a united approach to common problems, the vast potential for their own self-improvement which they themselves represent, can be translated into effective programmes which can do much to improve their standard of living.

– H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I

Growth and Developement

Lasting progress can only be built on deep and enduring foundations. When a solid foundation is laid, if the mason is able and his materials good, a strong house can be built.

To develop oneself, one has to develop one’s own initiative and perseverance – a man has to strive in order to grow. Let us work out our own programmes in all fields – political, economic, social and military. Man’s contributions which live to influence the life and progress of posterity, are the most permanent monuments that can ever be created. We must become increasingly willing to analyze our efforts, to experiment, to admit our failures as we take pride in our successes.

– H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I

Personal and National Wealth:

One should realize that thriftiness is the basis for the accumulation of wealth and the economic growth of a nation. One seldom minimizes the value of money earned by the sweat of the brow however small it may be, but for the extravagant even a huge amount of money is worthless.

– H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I

Edited by:

Jide Uwechia

April 23, 2006