We continue today with the discord among Greeks. Ambition and self-love lead to questions such as: Why him and not me? Who is better than whom? Who rules whom? and so on. These questions sow discord.

If these divisive questions did not exist, if consensus prevailed instead of conflict, if the question were not: “What does the homeland do for me/us, but what do I/we do for the homeland,” and if we replaced “I” with “we,” then we would certainly limit discord and more unity would prevail.

Many Greeks want to be leaders. They want to be in front, to be at the top. For example, at least half of Greeks say: “If I were prime minister.” Why, one wonders? Perhaps for glory. Perhaps for power. Perhaps to stand out. Perhaps to offer something. Perhaps to gain something. Perhaps for other reasons. But precisely because so many want leadership, there is so much discord and so many conflicts.

Every person chooses according to their desires. And if they desire something deeply, that gives them the strength to achieve it. That strength presupposes a strong “I,” strong self-confidence, self-assurance, and a strong individuality. It is exactly here, in the strong “I,” in strong “individuality,” that the conflict and division among Greeks lie.

When every Greek puts their “I” first, and when each one seeks to achieve what they want, they will inevitably come into conflict with the “I” of others. That is how conflict is born. Conflict and dispute are resolved through struggle. Whoever wins the struggle prevails. The loser is forced to surrender or go into exile. A classic example is ostracism in ancient Greece.

The discord and bitter infighting of the Greeks is everywhere. It is the “worm” that eats away at the flesh of Hellenism. It is the constant and inexplicable rivalry among Greeks. It is the curse that has pursued us and caused us great harm since the dawn of our history.

What causes the civil discord of the Greeks? We repeat it: ambition, egoism, self-love, envy, and a sense of superiority, which probably rests on a complex of inferiority, are the causes of discord. It destroys the brilliant achievements of the nation and leads Greeks and Greece to ruin.

Unfortunately, the discord among Greeks causes many negative feelings: bitterness, disappointment, disillusionment, failure, hatred, envy. When these flare up, they become uncontrollable, like fire. They affect long-standing friendships. Relationships of many years fall apart and friends become enemies. Professional partnerships dissolve. In addition, our relations with other countries are affected, since they tarnish the country’s international image. And they also lead to civil wars and national catastrophes.

So discord is not found only in our family, social, and professional environment, or among political parties competing for power. It is also found among nations, mainly over political and economic interests and dominance in international relations. The consequences of discord among peoples are unpleasant and can even lead to war.

Many claim that discord is a characteristic of Greeks. Some say it is in the Greek DNA. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the ancient Greeks were the only people in the world to invent and worship a deity who personified strife and discord: Eris.

When discord prevailed, the consequences were disastrous for the Greek nation, whereas when unity prevailed and Greeks stood together, we achieved greatness. We were liberated from Turkish rule, we freed enslaved Greeks, and we were able to protect our country from every danger.

The two hundred years since the 1821 Revolution are an opportunity to remember the consequences of discord, but also the achievements of Greeks when they are united. For this reason, all Greeks have a duty to fight discord and cultivate unity.

Paul Marantos

marantosp@gmail.com