I think beetnemesis explained it very well. It's really compulsion more than binding. The specific parameters of any oath are always going to be at least partially subjective. The Rod itself can't enforce how the AS oaths are applied because it's just a stick. So the AS herself is actually enforcing it.
Here's an example: The most literal interpretation of the first oath would prevent an AS from saying anything other than the word "true" ("I will speak no word that is not true". The only reason AS aren't held to that ridiculous if literally accurate interpretation is because they don't believe they should be.
If an Aes Sedai believes she is not violating the oaths, then she can do whatever she likes. If you're thinking that makes the oaths kind of lame... that's because they are. Mind you, it's a lot harder to rationalize things to yourself than it is to others. They have to truly believe deep down that they're not side-stepping the oaths. Because of this, the oaths tend to work functionally exactly as intended, though not exactly how they're presented to outsiders. AS know damn well they can convey misinformation without telling a direct lie.
Here's an example: The most literal interpretation of the first oath would prevent an AS from saying anything other than the word "true" ("I will speak no word that is not true". The only reason AS aren't held to that ridiculous if literally accurate interpretation is because they don't believe they should be.
If an Aes Sedai believes she is not violating the oaths, then she can do whatever she likes. If you're thinking that makes the oaths kind of lame... that's because they are. Mind you, it's a lot harder to rationalize things to yourself than it is to others. They have to truly believe deep down that they're not side-stepping the oaths. Because of this, the oaths tend to work functionally exactly as intended, though not exactly how they're presented to outsiders. AS know damn well they can convey misinformation without telling a direct lie.
Cadsuane lies!
06/12/2009 06:10:41 PM
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Re: Cadsuane lies!
06/12/2009 06:18:39 PM
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Sarcasm is one thing
06/12/2009 06:43:12 PM
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I disagree
06/12/2009 06:51:27 PM
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RJ has said they're allowed to be sarcastic
06/12/2009 07:07:32 PM
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How does that jive with the Oaths?
06/12/2009 07:13:21 PM
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Good point, but in that same book Tamra said that Gitara didn't say anything before dying *NM*
06/12/2009 07:53:31 PM
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Re: Good point, but in that same book Tamra said that Gitara didn't say anything before dying
06/12/2009 08:03:36 PM
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The Oaths focus on INTENT
06/12/2009 10:01:27 PM
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None of what you describe is an Oath ingrained into your bones.
07/12/2009 01:52:49 AM
- 711 Views
It's ENTIRELY about self-rationalization
07/12/2009 03:59:00 AM
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Because it isn't a lie
06/12/2009 07:44:29 PM
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I understand this, I'm not arguing that an AS should not be able to be sarcastic
06/12/2009 08:08:15 PM
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Re: I understand this, I'm not arguing that an AS should not be able to be sarcastic
06/12/2009 08:35:23 PM
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Quote for you
06/12/2009 08:42:52 PM
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The sarcasm was for him repeating himself to her. The "remember" is the part she's refering to.
07/12/2009 10:15:06 AM
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That's why I think this example of sarcasm works as opposed to Cadsuane who makes a false statement
07/12/2009 03:17:52 PM
- 705 Views
sarcasm is sarcasm. In both instances their is technically a lie.
07/12/2009 11:28:02 PM
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Not at all the case
07/12/2009 11:58:42 PM
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Do you really believe he waited till the last minute to tell Seonid?
14/12/2009 01:32:37 PM
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What about the Sheriam thing?
07/12/2009 01:49:32 PM
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Re: What about the Sheriam thing?
07/12/2009 02:15:25 PM
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But surely an Aes Sedai can answer a question she hasn't fully heard yet.
07/12/2009 03:06:34 PM
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Sarcasm
06/12/2009 07:14:47 PM
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It's obviously meant to be sarcasm, I just don't like
06/12/2009 07:18:40 PM
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Here is what RJ said about it
06/12/2009 07:41:18 PM
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Well I have to say I think RJ made the wrong call with this one *NM*
06/12/2009 07:43:47 PM
- 366 Views
Agreed.
07/12/2009 01:45:39 AM
- 639 Views
You can already drive a truck through the oaths. Does this one additional tiny gap really matter?
07/12/2009 04:07:16 AM
- 667 Views
what do you think a RL lie detector would tell in this case?
07/12/2009 12:27:07 PM
- 637 Views
in RL you would get warned by the investigator to cooperate
07/12/2009 01:04:33 PM
- 687 Views
But how would the machine reading indicate?
07/12/2009 07:04:22 PM
- 660 Views
Usually you're s'possed to answer with a yes or no. It's easy to tell when you're evasive
09/12/2009 10:46:58 PM
- 685 Views
Where's the problem?
09/12/2009 04:18:40 PM
- 595 Views
It's in the way the Oath is worded
09/12/2009 05:14:39 PM
- 640 Views
PS You misread my original quote
09/12/2009 11:00:56 PM
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Lies, untruths, sarcasm, and meaning
09/12/2009 07:46:25 PM
- 729 Views
We are starting understand each other
09/12/2009 10:09:41 PM
- 683 Views