kate jack

Which trait of the human race disgusts you more, assuming you're indeed disgusted by one/both of these?!


They bother me when they affect people with jobs, and their ability to complete those jobs, that neither greed nor hypocrisy should affect (calling all politicians). But in every day life between my friends, or even strangers, and I... who's to say anyone can live without greed and hypocrisy? We've all been victim to it, and all committed it. Can't deny our nature.

Seaver

If you look at the history of the Seven Deadly Sins, you'll realize the paradox you've just uncovered. I'm by no means a bible thumper, but it'll sound like it with my ensuing statements.

That is, the 7 Deadly Sins are also the 7 Holy Acts.

Yes, that's true. Think about it, Sloth is a sin if committed to the point of lowering the quality of life for those you love. If a child is lost to starvation during the winter months because the father was too lazy to plant enough crops, it's a sin. However at the same time taking time to relax and enjoy the life God has given us is a holy act. The same with all other sins, Greed is bad in that it is a desire which begets the love for the fellow man for the satisfaction of the self. However Greed is also a motivator to improve our lives, to rise above the bar which has been set for us. Lust can rip families apart, cause hatred and even wars. However it is also what drives people together, creating families and often ending wars.

I could continue, but you can quickly see how the very sins are used at the same time for good. It quickly turns into the everything-in-moderation philosophy which I subscribe to myself.

__________________
"Smite the rocks with the rod of knowledge, and fountains of unstinted wealth will gush forth." - Ashbel Smith as he laid the first cornerstone of the University of Texas

Charlatan

Without putting as neatly as Seaver, I too would say that "everything in moderation" is the right course... but then I usually answer that balance in all things is key.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

UKking

Heh, nice observation.

BUT I'll posit that the supposed paradox you suggested is a misnomer. Those sins are expressions of excess. Every one of them is normal, human, understandable, common, maybe even good things... Until it's taken too far. There's a point where it becomes bad. I wouldn't say that's a paradox, really.


Mmm hm. Sho nuf! That's the trick though, ain't it? The capability to spot where the line is before it gets crossed...