Entry 3 - On Purity
Darth Imperius' concept of purity is a complex and deeply ingrained aspect of his philosophy, one that transcends simplistic notions of bloodline or tradition. At its core, purity is not about lineage or inherited power, nor is it about the superficial bonds of family or friendship. Instead, purity is a state of being - a clarity of purpose, a rational application of power, and an unwavering commitment to the ideals of the Sith Code. It is the distillation of one's essence into a singular, unbreakable will, free from the distractions and compromises that weaken lesser beings. For Darth Imperius, purity is the ultimate expression of strength, and it is this strength that defines the true Sith.
At first glance, his stance on family and friends might seem ambiguous, even contradictory. He does not outright dismiss the value of such connections, acknowledging that they can serve as sources of motivation or even tools for manipulation. In the early stages of a Sith's journey, these bonds might provide a foundation upon which to build one's passion and ambition. A Sith who fights to protect a loved one or who draws strength from a sense of loyalty may, in the short term, appear powerful. Darth Imperius does not deny that such emotions can be potent catalysts for growth. However, he views these connections as stepping stones - useful only insofar as they propel the Sith toward a higher understanding of their purpose.
But this initial ambiguity gives way to a far harsher judgment as Darth Imperius delves deeper into his philosophy. He believes that true purity cannot coexist with the attachments of family and friendship. These bonds, no matter how strong or seemingly beneficial, are ultimately chains that bind the Sith to the weaknesses of their former selves. Family and friends represent emotional vulnerabilities, distractions that cloud the mind and dilute the clarity of purpose that is essential to the Sith's strength. A Sith who clings to these attachments is like a warrior who enters battle with a sword in one hand and a shackle in the other - they may fight with passion, but they will never achieve the unbridled power that comes from absolute focus and freedom.
Darth Imperius is particularly scornful of those who elevate family and friendship above the pursuit of power. He sees such individuals as misguided, their priorities skewed by sentimentality and a lack of vision. To him, the Sith who values a brother, a lover, or a child over the strength of the Order is not only weak but also a traitor to the very essence of what it means to be Sith. These attachments, he argues, are remnants of a lesser existence, relics of a time when the Sith were slaves to their emotions rather than masters of them. True purity requires the Sith to sever these ties, to cast aside the comforts of companionship and embrace the solitude of power. Only then can they achieve the clarity of purpose that defines the pure Sith.
Purity, in Darth Imperius' view, is not inherited through blood or bestowed by tradition. It is earned through strength, forged in the fires of ambition and tempered by the rational application of power. A Sith's worth is not determined by their lineage or their ability to form emotional connections but by their capacity to rise above such limitations and embody the ideals of the Sith Code. The pure Sith is one who has shed the trappings of their past, who has honed their mind and spirit into a weapon of unparalleled precision. They are free from the distractions of sentimentality, their purpose unclouded by the petty concerns of family or friendship.
In the end, Darth Imperius' philosophy leaves no room for compromise. Purity is not a gift; it is a trial, a crucible through which the Sith must pass if they are to achieve their full potential. Those who cling to the comforts of family and friends may find temporary solace, but they will never know the true power that comes from absolute purity. For Darth Imperius, the path of the Sith is one of sacrifice, and the greatest sacrifice of all is the relinquishment of the bonds that tie them to their former selves. Only by embracing this harsh truth can the Sith hope to ascend to their rightful place as masters of the galaxy.
