Fidelity
Posts: 192
Joined: 8/1/2005 Status: offline
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Manipulate: 1.To treat, work, or operate with the hands, especially when knowledge and dexterity are required; to manage in hand work; to handle; as, to manipulate scientific apparatus. 2.To control the action of, by management; as, to manipulate a convention of delegates; to manipulate the stock market; also, to manage artfully or fraudulently; as, to manipulate accounts, or election returns. 3.To use the hands in dexterous operations; to do hand work; specifically, to manage the apparatus or instruments used in scientific work, or in artistic or mechanical processes; also, specifically, to use the hand in mesmeric operations. In these definitions, we see manipulation used as a tool . Now any tool can be used for either positive or negative ends. Which outcome is evidenced, depends entirely upon the intent of the user of that tool. If the intent is to destroy,defraud or deceive-that is negative. I enjoy analogies of structure in relation to relationships-so I will use two contrasting ones involving so simple a thing as house. We have two builders who approach the same sort of house. Both houses are in moderately good condition before they arrive. The first builder approaches his house with the intent to take from it what short tern gain he can. He begins to systematically gut it,tears out walls floors,sells off the copper from the wiring and plumbing. He makes a few hundred dollars and leaves the place in ruins-it no longer has any value as a home. Can anyone here disagree that this builder was unwise in the application of his tools? The second builder approaches HIS house with the attitude of it being of great value. But also with that which he feels can be improved. He paints it,remodels it,does a lovely job of landscaping the grounds. Soon, the house doubles in value. He has made a worthy investment-and his rewards are thousands of times more than the unwise builder who demolished that other,unfortunate house. So is manipulation a bad thing? Again, it comes down to three basics I have previously stated. Intent. Desire. And persistence.
< Message edited by Fidelity -- 8/2/2005 8:55:06 AM >
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