Empowerment

"You are simply wasting your time. You should be working for the empowerment of those less fortunate than you."
"Ah! So, you really can give to others what you do not have yourself?"
"What do you mean? That I try to give wisdom when I do not have it myself?"
That's always the problem. You mean one thing, the other guy takes it in some other sense. At least this chap openly said it and gave me the opportunity to clarify.
"No! No! I mean that you think I can give power to others when I have none myself."
If I were any more powerless, I would be the dead battery that you throw away, cursing it for giving up just when you are in the middle of something important. To think of it, I would not mind someone empowering me.
"I think I can do with some empowering myself. Know of someone who can empower me in my interactions with the world - especially government?"
"Nonsense! The moment I talk of empowerment, all you can think of is how to get something for yourself. If you feel so powerless, why don't you think of others like you whom YOU can try to empower?"
"WHAT? And lose his company in feeling powerless? I'd rather be powerless together with him than powerless all by myself."
"The typical crab mentality. You will not climb up yourself and you will do your best to pull down someone else who is climbing."
"Well! Why can't I be the person climbing and you tell the others to not pull me down?'
"AND? Once you climb up, will you help the others get empowered too?"
"Hmm..I think that it would be a disservice. After all to win against difficulty builds character. So, if I help them, they will not be able to build their character, since they will have it easy. How can I be the reason for their losing that opportunity?"
"Ah! You really ARE a facile SOB. So, you will apply the same standards to your children?"
"Come on! What is the point in my getting ahead in life if my own family derives no benefit from it? Why would I suffer and slave at getting ahead in life, if they are also to start from scratch?"
"You really are a selfish brute. You want someone to empower you but, once you do have some power, you will keep it all for your family."
"Huh? THEY are expiating the sins of their ancestors. What have I got to expiate?"
There was a loud popping noise as my friend swelled up and burst.
Meanwhile...will someone find me and empower me? Pretty please....