Above all, it is not decency or goodness of gentleness that

The words of Meir Kahane — “Above all, it is not decency or goodness or gentleness that impresses the Middle East, but strength.” — strike with the bluntness of a hammer. They are not spoken as the musings of a dreamer, but as the hard, pragmatic counsel of a man who lived in a land of strife, where power and survival were interwoven. In these words lies an ancient truth, not only for the Middle East, but for all places where conflict and rivalry define the order of life: that while virtues of compassion and kindness may be noble, they often command respect only when they are anchored in visible strength.

Kahane points to the sobering reality that decency, goodness, and gentleness, though eternal virtues, are not always sufficient to secure peace or to win respect in a hostile environment. History itself shows that those who are gentle without strength are often dismissed, their words unheeded, their presence ignored. Strength, in such contexts, becomes the language that is understood, the shield that makes goodness possible, and the foundation upon which peace is built. His words echo the ancient warning that the dove must fly, but it cannot survive long in a sky dominated only by hawks.

The Middle East, in particular, has long been a crucible of empires, religions, and tribes, each locked in struggles for land, survival, and dominance. From the days of the Assyrians and Persians, through the rise of Rome and Byzantium, to the Ottoman Empire and beyond, one constant truth has remained: those who endure are those who wielded strength. Kahane, as a Jewish leader, spoke from the perspective of a people who had learned through centuries of persecution that weakness invites predation, while strength commands a place at the table of nations.

Consider the story of the young state of Israel in 1948. Surrounded by hostile armies and outnumbered many times over, it could not appeal to its enemies with decency or plead with them for gentleness. Instead, survival required the mustering of strength, the will to defend, and the determination to endure. Though fragile and newborn, Israel stood firm, and because it showed strength, it survived. Had it relied only on virtue without power, history would have written a different, darker end.

Yet Kahane’s words are not a denial of goodness, but a hierarchy of survival. Decency and gentleness may flourish only when they are protected by a foundation of strength. This echoes the wisdom of the Roman proverb: “Si vis pacem, para bellum” — if you want peace, prepare for war. The ancients knew that peace without power is but a fragile illusion, easily shattered by those who scorn virtue. Kahane’s reminder is harsh but clear: in a land where power is revered, it is not kindness alone but strength that secures the right to be kind.

The lesson for us is twofold. First, we must cultivate inner and outer strength — moral, intellectual, and physical — for without it, our decency and gentleness may be ignored or trampled. Second, we must remember that strength is not cruelty. True power is not to destroy, but to protect; not to oppress, but to preserve the dignity of one’s people. Strength makes room for virtue to breathe. Without strength, virtue is strangled; with strength, it is honored.

Practical wisdom follows. In your life, do not abandon gentleness or goodness, but root them in strength. Build resilience in your character, discipline in your actions, courage in your decisions. If you lead, do not expect others to follow you merely because you are kind — show them the strength of resolve, and then temper it with compassion. On the personal level, when adversity rises, meet it not with weakness cloaked in kindness, but with steady strength that allows your goodness to stand tall.

Thus, Kahane’s words endure as a stern reminder: strength is the language that commands respect in a harsh world. Decency, goodness, and gentleness are the ornaments of civilization, but strength is its foundation. Without the stone, the flower cannot grow. Without the shield, the dove cannot fly. Seek, therefore, to be strong — so that your kindness may endure, your decency may be respected, and your gentleness may shine even in the hardest of places.