NationStates Jolt Archive

“There is one psychological peculiarity in the human being that always strikes one: to shun even the slightest signs of trouble on the outer edge of your existence at times of well-being…to try not to know about the sufferings of others and your own or one’s own future sufferings, to yield in many situations, even important spiritual and central ones – as long as it prolongs one’s well being.”
- Alexander Solzhenitsyn

I think this sums up one of the biggest problems in western society right now. No one wants to accept responsibility for his/her actions or go out of his or her way to help others or even him/herself.

Just look at all the cries for welfare. We don't want to inconvenience ourselves by giving money: we would rather have the government take care of our responsiblity to help our fellow man by taking money out of our paychecks. That way, we don't need to see the horrible conditions and tragedies.

That's just one application of this quotation, though there are many others: war, evangelism in the Church, ecological issues, etc.

So what do you all think?

sounds about right to me, and it disgusts me

Well it take somewhat of a balance of working out what to give, before the help becomes degrading and creates dependency. Not to mention unfairness of those having to contribute.

Pretty cool. Check out the link in my sig for an archive of quotes. (from 7th graders in one year; its impressive.

That's a fine quote. It should call everyone to action to go to skid row and take indigent people into their homes straightaway. If that works out, wonderful! If not then the would-be benefactors will at least have learned not to borrow trouble.