In his address for the celebration of Samoa’s 53rd Independence anniversary this year, His Highness the Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi said Independence is a goal that demands the ability to conquer one’s impulses.
Tamasese is a former Prime Minister and longtime Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition in Samoa.
His own family had to conquer their impulses as their family leader was assassinated by the New Zealand military troops during a peaceful protest march in the country’s struggle for independence.
In his speech Tamasese quoted a Samoan proverb: “E sili le toa e pulea lona lotoi i le toa e a’ea le ‘olo” – “He who conquers his impulses is greater than he who conquers the fortress.”
“It is also a reminder to ourselves as Samoans of the need to remember our own references,” he said.
“It is a reference that draws from the same well of wisdom that inspired the proverbs made famous by Buddha and Sir Edmund Hillary: “To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others” and “It is not the mountain we must conquer but ourselves.”
Source
- talamua.com
- Image: cdn.3news.co.nz
