For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. (Mark 6: 17-20)

Herod feared John, he imprisoned John, and he liked to listen to John.

Most of us are a complicated mix of contradictions. But few of us give full expression to our confusion.

The wealthy, the powerful, the prominent and privileged are better able to allow their eccentricities full scope. In some cases, this greater freedom to be honestly conflicted is a blessing. In art, music, commerce and more it can spur creativity.

In exploring our inner conflicts and in seeking to resolve personal purpose with social expectation a fertile tension can be found.

But when there is nothing but self-indulgence -- when there is a veritable celebration of confusion -- the creative edge is lost and eccentricity becomes little more than destructive self-assertion.