The Duty of a Watchman

A watchman carries out the duty of warning. It is his responsibility and his duty to alert those in his care of impending danger.

However, it is neither his responsibility nor duty to force those in his care to react to the impending danger. If he does so, he would have overstepped his boundaries as those in his care have every right to react with skepticism, by rebuffing, and by undermining his credibility.

Yet, as long as he has done his job of dispensing the warnings, he has insofar fulfilled his calling.

If out of any reason at all, such as fear, cowardice or apathy, he fails to dispense the warning, he would carry on his shoulders the burden of blood on his hands should those in his care fall.

However, if he has done his job, and his warnings were met with scorn, despite all his despair and lament for the loss of those in his care, he would have fulfilled his responsibility and carries no burden, no weight, no guilt.

Wise words from a wise man I heard recently.