It seems to me that the root of hypocrisy is the notion of a ‘privileged viewpoint’. The speaker asserts that they are necessarily right, and everyone else is wrong; or that rules that apply to everyone else do not apply to the speaker, etc. Almost every instance of hypocrisy seems to find its way back to that notion. And hypocrisy seems a small- ( Read more... )

Forgiveness is a gift. Like many gifts, it can be asked for, demanded, coerced, bartered for, etc. Ultimately, though, the power to give it or deny it rests with the giver; and, if it is withheld, there is little the other party can do about it ( Read more... )

There are any number of reputable professions who offer services for hire and are bound by a professional code of ethics, but are looked down on for ‘selling out’ or selling themselves. These include such far-ranging examples as personal servants, accountants, lawyers, and mercenaries ( Read more... )

You must first learn to not see what is not there before you can learn to see what is not there.

Evidence is the enemy of Belief.

Secret Service Presidential Motorcade Detail: We Swerve At The Pleasure Of The President.

To a parent, punishment is an attention-getting device.

To a sadist, punishment is an attention-providing device.

One year ago today weapons were raised, a battle was fought, havoc was wreaked, damage was done, blood was spilled, lives were lost. Both sides flew the same flag, but fought in very different causes.

It is a sobering thought to realize that in this life there are things … important things … which one will never truly know. Among these things are the true motivations of others, even those close to us. We may suspect, or even strongly believe, but we cannot know them in the same way we can measure or count the more objective and quantifiable ( Read more... )

No one needs to believe there is no such thing as a Good Man as much as an evil one.