Battle Lines

I heard something before I was not listening for and came unexpectedly.  It said, “I will fight on my knees.”  Normally a statement like that is given in a certain environment and seen to be the thing to do.  I did not hear the rest of what was said as I was thinking about the statement I had heard.
It did make me think about the victories and perceived victories and the loses I have seen.  Not on the sporting field but in life.  People fighting for what would be naturally theirs if not for the greed of others.  And often the others are rich and powerful.
There was one family I saw on the news recently who seemed to have a good case.  They did not pursue it though as it was going to cost too much to fight.  Though they stood a good chance of winning it was not guaranteed.  They could not afford expensive lawyers.  Their opponents could hire those practiced in making secondary the primary.  There was a good chance that what was obvious to most would be muddied to reach a conclusion that was not obvious, but won on legal technicalities rather than the truth of a matter.
I confess I do see many battles won by those who can afford it, that can only be described as hard fought.  Truth prevails but at enormous cost.  A cost not only in financial terms but in human terms.  Life is never the same again.
A win is a win but I do wonder if often it is a case of winning the battle but losing the war.  Justice prevails but human hearts remain unchanged.   Rules are enacted and laws applied but the win is a drop in the ocean.
Our society sets rules not to murder but murders continue to happen.  There are consequences in our society for stealing.  Yet stealing is rampant.  It seems so many reasonable requirements are flouted.
As someone said to me any security I put in place will only deter the honest people.  Those intent on doing wrong will do wrong when the opportunity presents itself.  So often the thinking seems to be not how can I not do this but how can I do this and get away with it.
I am probably a cynic but often when I hear someone apologise I ask myself are they apologising because they realize what they did was wrong or are they sorry they got caught.
Justice to me is an ongoing thing.  I may or may not see good come of my fight in my lifetime.  That does not make the fight futile, but it seems to me fighting on my knees also helps in many ways.
At the very least my perception is altered as I come to see this fight is not just about me.  It is about a principle.  What is true never has an end.  Lies have a limited life span.  In the meantime, I will fight on my knees.  Reinforcements are good.