View Full Version : the seven deadly sins
Superfluous_Nut
03-03-04, 05:27 PM
okay, so here's something i was thinking about. the seven deadly sins and how they relate to our society...
sloth -- a mild sin. frowned upon, but certainly not illegal. we have a safety net to catch the really slothy among us.
lust -- a conflicted sin. lots of laws that outlaw certain sex acts, and a serious effort to sell the rest of them.
wrath -- we're sorta neutral here. society steps in and deals with people that do wrong. our system of justice is reasonably fair, tho at heart it is punishment.
pride -- somewhat of a virtue. america rewards those that sell themselves well and believe in themselve. celebrities wouldn't exist without pride and we wouldn't knock them down if we didn't think they were too proud.
greed -- this is the prime american virtue. the country runs on greed. everyone is encouraged to do their best and accumulate as much as possible.
envy -- another virtue of america. you are rewarded for seeing what you want and trying to attain it.
gluttony -- yet another virtue. our country is all about consumption. when we were attacked on 9/11 our president asked us to keep buying things.
any comments?
greed -- this is the prime american virtue. the country runs on greed. everyone is encouraged to do their best and accumulate as much as possible.
envy -- another virtue of america. you are rewarded for seeing what you want and trying to attain it.
gluttony -- yet another virtue. our country is all about consumption. when we were attacked on 9/11 our president asked us to keep buying things.
any comments?
Ironic, eh? You know, being a religious country and all.
Superfluous_Nut
03-03-04, 05:39 PM
Ironic, eh? You know, being a religious country and all.
that's why i started thinking about this. of course, this is my take on it. others may differ with how these sins are viewed by the country.
do you think i am accurate in my categorizations?
lust? our president got a BJ in his office.
wrath? look at the reaction to 9/11.
this is a disturbing thread already.
that's why i started thinking about this. of course, this is my take on it. others may differ with how these sins are viewed by the country.
do you think i am accurate in my categorizations?
Pretty much. The ones I quoted though? Yeah, dead on. They bug me a lot.
Try and get a right leaning Christian fundamentalist to explain how they reconcile trickle down economics with religion's warnings about worshipping money. That's really fun. It was my favorite thing to do back in college. Eventually smoke comes out the ears and arms fly like the robot in Lost in Space.
Greed is what pumps the economy. Damn shame everyone is going to hell for it.
Superfluous_Nut
03-03-04, 05:48 PM
lust? our president got a BJ in his office.
but he got taken down for it. i think lust is the only real sin left, honestly.
Wrath? What about the reaction to 9/11?
Good point. I hadn't thought of that.
actually, that was adultery.
lust is just a strong sexual desire.
and that's in EVERY FREAKING ADVERTISMENT.
and the porn industry is a multi-billion dollar industry.
Superfluous_Nut
03-03-04, 07:07 PM
if you switch the sins around and examine their inverse, what does it tell us?
industry (-slot) -- that is absolutely a virtue of america.
chastity (-lust). this is generally reserved for the most pious among us.
forgiveness (-wrath). not exactly running rampant in our society.
humility (-pride). occasionally carries the day, but generally the sqeaky wheel gets the grease. but if you're truly humble, it doesn't matter.
charity (-greed). we are the most charitable nation on the planet, so it's an interesting dichotomy.
(these two are difficult to find real antonyms for, but i think these are close:)
satisfaction (-envy). interestingly, self-satisfaction is another word for pride. if you're happy with what you have, then you're not living the american dream, it seems to me.
reserve (-gluttony). this sense seems to come and go. these days, it's definitely gone and gluttony rules.
hasbeen99
03-03-04, 07:53 PM
sloth -- a mild sin. frowned upon, but certainly not illegal. we have a safety net to catch the really slothy among us.
Not illegal, but one could argue the elite would consider it a "sin". Most vacation packages feature workout facilities. I don't see leisure and/or relaxation really embraced in mainstream media anymore.
lust -- a conflicted sin. lots of laws that outlaw certain sex acts, and a serious effort to sell the rest of them.
"Conflicted" isn't a bad word, but "hypocritical" would be a better one. The whole country railed in moral outrage against President Clinton, when a good percentage of men (and women) in this country have done the same. Laws restricting sex acts are considered antiquated and prudish at best. Sex is being used to sell just about anything and everything, and no one is apologizing for it. The use of porn by men is now an accepted and normal rite of passage from the early teens on with zero shame, and now women are using it too.
wrath -- we're sorta neutral here. society steps in and deals with people that do wrong. our system of justice is reasonably fair, tho at heart it is punishment.
Sort of agree with you here. Getting pissed off is celebrated in this country, as long as it stays within the boundaries.
pride -- somewhat of a virtue. america rewards those that sell themselves well and believe in themselve. celebrities wouldn't exist without pride and we wouldn't knock them down if we didn't think they were too proud.
Somewhat of a virtue?? Pride is what America is all about. Independence. Strength. Power. Possession. Pride is celebrated on every level.
greed -- this is the prime american virtue. the country runs on greed. everyone is encouraged to do their best and accumulate as much as possible.
Agreed, wholeheartedly. Capitalism does not work without it. Period.
envy -- another virtue of america. you are rewarded for seeing what you want and trying to attain it.
I don't know if I'd say "rewarded for" as much as "manipulated by".
gluttony -- yet another virtue. our country is all about consumption. when we were attacked on 9/11 our president asked us to keep buying things.
Hmm. I was thinking food here, but sure, we could broaden that to sheer indulgence. You said it best -- our society is all about consumption, and immediate gratification -- whatever it takes.
Good thread, Nut.
hasbeen99
03-03-04, 07:54 PM
Ironic, eh? You know, being a religious country and all.
We are no longer a religious country. At least not full-time anyway.
hasbeen99
03-03-04, 08:01 PM
but he got taken down for it. i think lust is the only real sin left, honestly.
Good point. I hadn't thought of that.
Sorry about the edit, Nut. I was through my response when I realized I'd clicked the wrong button. Didn't realize mods had the power to edit posts. I hope I restored it back to what it was. :anon:
hasbeen99
03-03-04, 08:03 PM
but he got taken down for it. i think lust is the only real sin left, honestly.
I agree with Larry. President Clinton was taken down for adultery, and I would add hypocrisy, not lust.
hasbeen99
03-03-04, 08:12 PM
if you switch the sins around and examine their inverse, what does it tell us?
This is where it gets really interesting. Excellent post!
industry (-slot) -- that is absolutely a virtue of america.
I'd call it busy-ness. We all experience increasing amounts of pressure to squeeze more and more into our day. And the more burned out and tired we are, the bigger badge we get to wear.
chastity (-lust). this is generally reserved for the most pious among us.
Chastity is a joke. It's for people who can't get laid. It's a cause for ridicule. Ask any public school teacher about teaching abstinence in high school.
forgiveness (-wrath). not exactly running rampant in our society.
humility (-pride). occasionally carries the day, but generally the sqeaky wheel gets the grease. but if you're truly humble, it doesn't matter.
These two are definite signs of weakness in the practical world. Revenge is the sweetest dish at the buffet table, and humility is the polar opposite of standing up for your rights.
charity (-greed). we are the most charitable nation on the planet, so it's an interesting dichotomy.
It is, isn't it? Amass all the wealth you can, and you're respected. Give away some to charity and you get a touchy-feely gold star. At least we got that one close to right, IMO. In all fairness, though, it's getting harder to be motivated to give to charity. Many of them are highly corrupt.
(these two are difficult to find real antonyms for, but i think these are close:)
satisfaction (-envy). interestingly, self-satisfaction is another word for pride. if you're happy with what you have, then you're not living the american dream, it seems to me.
Maybe a better word would be "contentment". While I don't think it's frowned upon, it certainly isn't popular either.
reserve (-gluttony). this sense seems to come and go. these days, it's definitely gone and gluttony rules.
I think the antonym for indulgence has to be discipline. That leads to an interesting paradox, I think. Discipline is taught, but followed immediately by temptation in most cases.
Superfluous_Nut
03-03-04, 09:19 PM
the thing about pride, tho, is that we attack people that show too much pride. nobody likes somebody that thinks their shit don't stink. so while i agree that it's america is very proud, i think we've got a good check in the system for knocking people that get too big. maybe a little envy works its way in here.
yeah, contentment is a better antonym for envy. but still, going with the same theme, america is about not being content with what you've got and striving to get more.
the thing about discipline is that it's the root of all problems. if you're not disciplined, you might act on any of the sins. chastity requires discipline, industry, forgiveness, etc. while "reserve" isn't exactly the perfect antonym, it's more along the lines of being measured about how you do things. which i guess could also influence other sins...
on a completely side note, i've had an idea for an RTS game that uses the seven sins and their opposites to drive the populace. each sin/virtue would have slider that influenced the belief system of the current souls being born into your people's territory (in this case, you're in essence playing as a god). the people would react to each other based on their beliefs.
more lust = more population growth, less lust = less population growth
more envy = more expansion, less envy = less expansion
more wrath = more military, less wrath = less military
more gluttony = more use of resources, less gluttony = less use of resources (of course, this would have an influence on health and happiness as well)
more pride = stronger reaction to those that are different, less pride = weaker reaction
more sloth = fewer buildings created, less sloth = more buildings created (tho less time to learn new things)
can't remember how greed worked.
you wouldn't actually have direct control over units like you would in normal RTS games, you'd have to control your units by indirect means -- namely controlling their "soul" beliefs. you could also do miracles to influence people and maybe have a high priest that would be your emissary that you could more directly control... one of many ideas i've got that i'll probably never be able to actually get to.
hasbeen99
03-04-04, 11:55 AM
the thing about pride, tho, is that we attack people that show too much pride. nobody likes somebody that thinks their shit don't stink. so while i agree that it's america is very proud, i think we've got a good check in the system for knocking people that get too big. maybe a little envy works its way in here.
At what point does pride become conceit? Pride still has a good connotation, and conceit is still bad. Whatever point that is, that's where the rest of us like to knock someone else off his or her pedestal.
yeah, contentment is a better antonym for envy. but still, going with the same theme, america is about not being content with what you've got and striving to get more.
Agreed. It's much trickier to motivate content people than people who feel something is lacking. It can be done, but it's not as easy.
the thing about discipline is that it's the root of all problems. if you're not disciplined, you might act on any of the sins. ...while "reserve" isn't exactly the perfect antonym, it's more along the lines of being measured about how you do things. which i guess could also influence other sins...
Excellent point, and I totally agree.
on a completely side note, i've had an idea for an RTS game that uses the seven sins and their opposites to drive the populace. ...one of many ideas i've got that i'll probably never be able to actually get to.
Interesting idea. I bet it would sell, too. That's where you partner with some code wizard who has the time and resources to make it work. :)
vpkozel
03-04-04, 12:32 PM
President Clinton was taken down because he lied to a grand jury.
President Clinton was taken down because he lied to a grand jury.
Don't make me talk to you like I did Brain a little while ago.
vpkozel
03-04-04, 12:36 PM
Don't make me talk to you like I did Brain a little while ago.
:apfbbt:
hasbeen99
03-04-04, 01:38 PM
President Clinton was taken down because he lied to a grand jury.
You know, after thinking about what happened to President Clinton, can we really say he got "taken down"? Sure he was impeached, but what penalty did he pay? He finished out his second term and is making huge money on the lecture circuit. Or whatever ex-presidents do.
You know, after thinking about what happened to President Clinton, can we really say he got "taken down"? Sure he was impeached, but what penalty did he pay? He finished out his second term and is making huge money on the lecture circuit. Or whatever ex-presidents do.
There is no such thing as shame anymore. Infamous, famous, whatever. It all gets you on TV (and paid).
vpkozel
03-04-04, 01:45 PM
You know, after thinking about what happened to President Clinton, can we really say he got "taken down"? Sure he was impeached, but what penalty did he pay? He finished out his second term and is making huge money on the lecture circuit. Or whatever ex-presidents do.
Both you and head are correct. I was just using your terminology.
Superfluous_Nut
03-04-04, 01:50 PM
At what point does pride become conceit? Pride still has a good connotation, and conceit is still bad. Whatever point that is, that's where the rest of us like to knock someone else off his or her pedestal.
i think "pride" as a sin must be considered conceit. i interpret all sins to be "if you take it too far".
Superfluous_Nut
03-04-04, 01:52 PM
at the heart of the issue, clinton was lambasted for his sex acts. he lied, but he lied about his sex acts. he was up there because of allegations of illegal sex acts. it was about sex.
sure, he survived, but he's still ridiculed for this sex act.
i thought about this thread all day.
it makes me want to do a photoessay on each sin in america -- from both sides.
very, very good topic.
hasbeen99
03-05-04, 12:55 PM
i think "pride" as a sin must be considered conceit. i interpret all sins to be "if you take it too far".
Okay, but here's the million-dollar question: Who gets to decide what "too far" is?
hasbeen99
03-05-04, 12:57 PM
i thought about this thread all day.
it makes me want to do a photoessay on each sin in america -- from both sides.
That would be a very interesting project. I'd love to see it happen.
Superfluous_Nut
03-05-04, 02:34 PM
Okay, but here's the million-dollar question: Who gets to decide what "too far" is?
i dunno. the individual i guess, but i think there's a general sense out there of sorta what's right and wrong.
since these are all character traits, society has a general hands-off approach to dictating what's good and bad. we're more concerned with actions than thoughts.
I think Pride is attempting to elevate yourself to Gods level. An attitude of everything comes from God and I can do nothing without Him is what He is after. God wants to work through surrendered people and thinking you are the one accomplishing anything gets in the way of that submission. Its sort if like internal idolatry...worship of self.
This is a great thread. Thanks everyone.
builder
03-06-04, 09:06 PM
i thought about this thread all day.
it makes me want to do a photoessay on each sin in america -- from both sides.
very, very good topic.
I think you should do it like a coffee table book. Albeit, a disturbing one.
Have each chapter dedicated to a certain place. Supermarkets, churches, post offices, bars, restaurants, office buildings, a private home, someone's garage, yard sales....all those things that make up the small moments in life.
I think you should do it like a coffee table book. Albeit, a disturbing one.
Have each chapter dedicated to a certain place. Supermarkets, churches, post offices, bars, restaurants, office buildings, a private home, someone's garage, yard sales....all those things that make up the small moments in life.
i'm still thinking about this idea. i had wanted it to be a coffee table book.
builder
03-07-04, 03:14 AM
I see it now. an entire section devoted to food.
sloth -- lazy people being waited on. Black ties and tuxedos.
lust -- strawberries and whipped cream
wrath -- little yellow food packages vs little yellow bombs
pride -- 40lb pumpkins
greed -- Golden Corral buffet - plates stacked higher than needed.
envy -- Homeless guy outside a restaurant
gluttony -- Biggie size.
The "Seven Deadly Sins," in moderation, are natural and sometimes necessary to live. It was a brilliant propaganda tool for a few centuries, but now the gig is up. Wallowing in guilt over them is no better than letting them run your life.
SLOTH - a.k.a., The Bane of the Workaholic
Another Name For: Learning to Relax, Stopping to Smell the Roses
In Overdrive: You'll become soft and lethargic, go nowhere and stagnate while your dreams and the joys of life pass you by.
In Moderation: You'll avoid burning yourself out and allow yourself to enjoy those things you've worked so hard to obtain.
LUST - a.k.a., The Bane of the Prude
Another Name For: Indulgence of Desire, Enjoying the Pleasures of Life
In Overdrive: You'll be ridden with STDs, be broke from child support or from bankrolling abortions, and never know the meaning of love.
In Moderation: You'll be happy and healthy, having released your natural urges and avoided the damage that sexual suppression and guilt trips can cause.
WRATH - a.k.a., The Bane of the Cheek-Turner
Another Name For: Payback, Justice, Setting the Wrong Things Right
In Overdrive: You'll broil yourself internally with bottled up rage or end up in prison, to be one day shanked in the ribs for crossing the wrong person who never learned to deal with his rage in a healthy manner either.
In Moderation: "Wrath" is a natural emotion like any other, and certainly not a sin. Channelled towards the right people and properly managed, it's a natural and proper state to go through. The War on Terror leaps to mind.
PRIDE - a.k.a., The Bane of the Masochist
Another Name For: A Good Self-Image, Non-Self-Loathing
In Overdrive: Overblown "Pride" quickly becomes foolish arrogance. The puffed-up and sanctimonious let "Pride" be their masters, thinking they can do no wrong. Their egos outgrow their brains and their balls (figuratively speaking), and eventually the biggest giants are bound to fall.
In Moderation: Liking yourself and taking "Pride" in your strong points is a must to be a happy and well-balanced person. There are those who would have us all hang our heads in defeated subservience, constantly needing cleansing and "improvement" that only a higher authority can provide. Better to hold yourself accountable to the best qualified judge: your own conscience.
GREED - a.k.a., The Bane of the Socialist Part I
Another Name For: Ambition, Drive, Thrift
In Overdrive: You'll become a money-grubbing swine who'd steal the pennies from a dead man's eyes and pay your employees with Monopoly money if you could get away with it. In extreme cases, one might literally, physically transform into Dick Chaney. In either case, materialism will lead to only a shallow and empty existence, plauged by a swelling need for more that can never be fulfilled.
In Moderation: Some "Greed" is a must to survive in a capitalist country, and also works nicely to counteract an overaboundance of "Sloth." Managed right, a little "Greed" will allow you to obtain goals that you thought impossible, as well as provide well for those who matter to you.
ENVY - a.k.a., The Bane of the Socialist Part Deux
Another Name For: Green Grass Syndrome, The Fire Under the Ass
In Overdrive: Murderous crimes of passion (when mixed with too much "Wrath"), low self-esteem or suicide (when mixed with too little "Pride" or an overload of unreleased "Lust"), et cetera. Too much "Envy" can magnify a harmless amount of one Deadly Sin into a bad problem.
In Moderation: "Greed" and "Envy" are the chocolate and peanut butter of a capitalist society. Two great tastes that taste great together. Without some "Envy," "Sloth" can take over and lead to one going soft and becoming complacent. "Envy" can motivate you into the gym, to work harder for promotion or a better job, or to eliminate vices or shortcomings that are holding you back while someone less worthy is enjoying that which you are striving for.
GLUTTONY - a.k.a., The Bane of the Bulemic
Another Name For: Sweet Tooth, Food Lover, Connoisseur
In Overdrive: You'll join Chris Farley in the morgue, blow an artery, or OD on the pleasure-giving overindulgence of your choice.
In Moderation: "Gluttony" is the cousin of "Lust" and "Sloth," and covers more than just a love of food. It's an overall savoring of life's simpler pleasures. A cold brew, a pepperoni pizza, porn, fishing, sports, gambling, or Star Trek. We all have our secret vice. And that's OK, so long as we remain the master. "Pride," "Envy" and sometimes "Wrath" work well to counterbalance "Gluttony" and keep it in check.
-------------------------------
Balance and control are where it's at... knowing when to say when. This goes for all the so-called vices. On one hand, the stigma attatched to them helps keep us from taking them into overdrive. But cutting them off from yourself or feeling the need to constantly repent of them does nothing to help yourself or others. It's a needless guilt trip.
hasbeen99
03-08-04, 02:32 PM
You make solid points, E, but couldn't it be argued that your "in overdrive" definitions of those terms are, for the most part, the truest definitions of those terms?
should we aspire to have no part of the seven deadly sins in our life?
should we aspire to have no part of the seven deadly sins in our life?
I hope not. Sloth works pretty good for me.
Hockeygirl44
03-08-04, 03:51 PM
i dunno. the individual i guess, but i think there's a general sense out there of sorta what's right and wrong.
since these are all character traits, society has a general hands-off approach to dictating what's good and bad. we're more concerned with actions than thoughts.
If the individual gets to decide what's "too far", then what may be a deadly sin for one may not be for another. Right?
Superfluous_Nut
03-08-04, 04:12 PM
If the individual gets to decide what's "too far", then what may be a deadly sin for one may not be for another. Right?
it depends on your belief. if you believe that we're here to live up to somebody else's standards, then you certainly need to keep in mind those standards in your everyday life.
if you only need to live up to your own standards, then certainly everybody would have a different threshhold for what is too far. so, yeah, different people would consider the sins differently.
i suppose you could also believe that you're living up to some other standards and different people could also have a different understanding of what those standards are. so you could also get a different threshhold for sin from this scenario.
You make solid points, E, but couldn't it be argued that your "in overdrive" definitions of those terms are, for the most part, the truest definitions of those terms?
Again, human emotions and needs are not good or evil. They simply are. When we make mistakes or let the "7DS" get the best of us, we pay the price in tangible, real-world ways. If we're truly sorry for a lapse of judgement or for hurting someone wrongfully, we'll learn from our mistakes and adjust our behaviors to avoid the mistake in the future. That's where conscience comes in.
should we aspire to have no part of the seven deadly sins in our life?
Absolutlely not. Weren't you listening?? :)
hasbeen99
03-09-04, 02:16 PM
When we make mistakes or let the "7DS" get the best of us, we pay the price in tangible, real-world ways. If we're truly sorry for a lapse of judgement or for hurting someone wrongfully, we'll learn from our mistakes and adjust our behaviors to avoid the mistake in the future. That's where conscience comes in.
True. And as you and I well know, remorse doesn't absolve us from all, or even most, of the consequences of caving into the "overdrive" versions. It can literally take years to crawl out of some of those holes. Sometimes you never can. To me, that shows a practical foundation for the big 7, not just some theocrat's jones for population control. Wouldn't you agree?
It all boils down to "take what you need and leave the rest but never take the very best'.
True. And as you and I well know, remorse doesn't absolve us from all, or even most, of the consequences of caving into the "overdrive" versions. It can literally take years to crawl out of some of those holes. Sometimes you never can. To me, that shows a practical foundation for the big 7, not just some theocrat's jones for population control. Wouldn't you agree?
Yes I would. My point in that very long post was to illustrate that practical foundation, and separate it from Theocrat Jones. :)
Yes I would. My point in that very long post was to illustrate that practical foundation, and separate it from Theocrat Jones. :)
However you both lose sight of the spirituality in your meandering, more succinctly put if you can't control affaires of the flesh without succumbing to folly, how can you be expected survive absolute delite without fucking up royally.
hasbeen99
03-10-04, 12:33 PM
...if you can't control affaires of the flesh without succumbing to folly, how can you be expected survive absolute delite without fucking up royally.
Good question. :)
Miss tery
03-10-04, 06:05 PM
Cool thread guys!
However you both lose sight of the spirituality in your meandering, more succinctly put if you can't control affaires of the flesh without succumbing to folly, how can you be expected survive absolute delite without fucking up royally.
"A man's got to know his limitations." --Clint Eastwood
hasbeen99
04-21-04, 05:55 PM
:bump: for Thelt
WilliamJ
04-22-04, 09:17 AM
you all have missed the biggest point about these 'sins'. Pride is the one they all spin out of. pride is all about self-centeredness. all of these sins are selfish in nature. man's self-seeking is the root of all mankinds dilemas.
what is the antidote?? true humility.
vpkozel
04-22-04, 09:38 AM
what is the antidote?? true humility.
Exactly. That is why insist on y'all using the little 'g' when referring to me as a god.
WilliamJ
04-22-04, 09:53 AM
Exactly. That is why insist on y'all using the little 'g' when referring to me as a god.
how `bout we just call you "lil' g"?
vpkozel
04-22-04, 09:57 AM
how `bout we just call you "lil' g"?
:xyzthumbs
is lusting for marlo thomas a sin?
slydevl
04-22-04, 10:04 AM
is lusting for marlo thomas a sin?
yes, but not as bad as lusting for Phil Donahue.
gridfaniker
04-22-04, 11:44 AM
is lusting for marlo thomas a sin?
even if lust wasn't a sin, lusting after Marlo Thomas would be.
hasbeen99
04-22-04, 06:31 PM
you all have missed the biggest point about these 'sins'. Pride is the one they all spin out of. pride is all about self-centeredness. all of these sins are selfish in nature. man's self-seeking is the root of all mankinds dilemas.
"Vanity -- it's definitely my favorite sin."
-Al Pacino as Satan in The Devil's Advocate
Fuck that. Rational self-interest is necessary for anyone's survival. We all act in the best interest of ourselves and our families if we have one. If this weren't the case, turning the other cheek would be an acceptable response to being attacked by terrorists.
It stops being "rational" self-interest when you willfully disregard the well-being of others, or hurt people who don't deserve it.
And healthy pride is a virtue. Hell, you're all Americans. You should know that.
Superfluous_Nut
04-23-04, 04:50 AM
Fuck that.
lust?
WilliamJ
04-23-04, 09:46 AM
Fuck that. Rational self-interest is necessary for anyone's survival. We all act in the best interest of ourselves and our families if we have one. If this weren't the case, turning the other cheek would be an acceptable response to being attacked by terrorists.
It stops being "rational" self-interest when you willfully disregard the well-being of others, or hurt people who don't deserve it.
And healthy pride is a virtue. Hell, you're all Americans. You should know that.
i believe prudence is the virtue of which you speak, not pride.
...It's much trickier to motivate content people than people who feel something is lacking. It can be done, but it's not as easy...
What do you mean by "motivate content people?" It seems like you would almost need motivation to be content today. I think people who are truely content with what they have and believe needed an unimaginable amount of motivation to get to that point.
forgot to mention: awesome thread. excluding the excessive clinton tangent of course.
hasbeen99
06-08-04, 03:34 PM
What do you mean by "motivate content people?" It seems like you would almost need motivation to be content today. I think people who are truely content with what they have and believe needed an unimaginable amount of motivation to get to that point.
Content people are, by definition, not motivated to go out and get more. They're happy with what they've got. Capitalism thrives on motivating people to get more, do more, have more -- and it's linked to an elusive form of happiness. Contented people are already happy, and therefore are harder to motivate in that way.
For example -- if you were happy with your job and your salary, how motivated would you be to climb the corporate ladder, and especially to make the sacrifices necessary to advance? Not very. Whereas someone who hated his job would be much more willing to do whatever it took to advance.
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