Finally, this teaching has contemporary resonance. Institutions that enforce rules consistently—courts, scientific peer review, triage protocols—aim for impartiality to avoid favoritism, even as they remain guided by humane ends. Likewise, ecological policy works best when it respects systemic limits rather than indulging short-term preferences. The warning is twofold: do not mistake impartiality for indifference, and do not mask bias as kindness. Properly understood, the sage’s perspective balances clear-eyed detachment with capacious care, enabling actions that are firm, fair, and genuinely helpful in a world of constant change. [...]
