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349   

U Nu

a pongyi, who must walk so delicately, do the work of a politician, the roughest of all worldly pursuits"? "How can one suppose that a pongyi who mixes in the world of men can possibly find time, for self purification by duties, discipline & penance"?

In recounting the story of the snake & his hesitation to kill it because of the precept "Thou shalt not kill', he says - "they say that a man who wants to rule must learn to be tough, and that is certainly true of politicians and especially of revolutionary politicians. So what hope is there for a man who is always hesitating"?

That he is not only the kind, sweet faced idealist is shown by what he writes, in anger, about the Japanese reporter Hasigawa. "I was out of sorts & shouted at my wife, "Get out; don't come & bother me! "I hate this beast. I'd like to get him down & trample on his face. "I thought of ways to get even with him". "I don't care a tinker's curse for an animal like that."



350.    

U Nu

Asked to write a proclamation to specification, he replied "If I write to your dictation it will not be my proclamation but yours. So please understand that when I write anything, I write what I think fit. If you really want a proclamation by me there it is. If you like it, take it; if you don't like it, leave it." 

Thursday   March 10th.

Am. - Finished Dorothy & children's portrait - also, large black & white of U Nu - 32x45. Have decided it is stronger in black & white than it would be in color - & don't want to spoil it. Have worked on it a good deal & it is very good.

At 11.15 went to Pan American & finally arranged my tickets home. Stopped at the Israeli Embassy on 36th Street to see David Hacohen. Decided to go directly to Tel Aviv after one day only in Rome, so as to spend 'Pesach' in Israel. I shan't trouble to go to a hotel - since I arrive at 7.30 AM & leave at 3.30

Transcription Notes:
pongyi - priest of Burma