A very sweet woman that I met in Ann Arbor writes:

“In 1001, the Pope crowned Stephen I, King of Hungary and Apostle. Stephen I wrote ten precepts on good governance for his son, one of which favored a certain form of interculturalism that is worth studying today. In his Brief Concerning the Institution of Customs: On Receiving and Fostering Foreigners, he said:

Such great advantage comes from foreigners and immigrants that they well deserve their position as the sixth element of royal dignity. For that is how the Roman empire first arose, and the kings of Rome became exalted and famous, because many celebrated and wise men flocked there from different places. In fact Rome would be in chains until today, if the sons of Aeneas had not made it free. For as foreigners come from different places and regions, so they bring with them different languages and customs, and different lessons and tools, which adorn all estates and extol princely power and frighten away the arrogance of outward things. Thus government by a single language and with a single code of conduct is weak and frail.

Therefore I bid you, my son, foster them with a good will and defend them honourably, so that they choose you willingly wherever they live. For if you destroy what I have built up, or seek to disperse what I have united, your royal government will undoubtedly be exposed to the greatest detriment. If this is not so, your government will increase daily, so that your crown will be held in esteem by man.

I suppose I find that particularly appealing, because of our president’s seeming dislike and fear of people who are “other.” And his government has become weak and frail. How much better it could be if wise people from all over the world would be in dialogue regarding important decisions. Hopefully, our next president will be more of a listener.”

I couldn’t agree more. - thenextstopwillbe

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