Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
-- Abraham Lincoln
This is the point where I am supposed to say something pithy, clever, and wise … so that I, too, could be wise like the ancient sages and philosophers. Old people in general think that, just because they are old, therefore, they are also wise. No ... for the most part, they (we) are just old. What can I contribute to this discussion on power vs. virtue? I am a man without a soul who would gladly sell it, if I had one, for a few billion dollars (my alleged soul does not go cheaply), so what do I know about virtue or character? I agree with the Beatles ... "The best things in life are free…but you can give them to the birds and bees, just give me money, that's what I want!"
Now, I am sure ole Abe is right, but only prosaically so. We all know about corrupt leaders of autocratic governments everywhere who have used their power to let their families and close cronies amass obscene sums of money. We always self-righteously criticize them. But if I could be the son of one of these autocrats ... a princeling, so to speak, born with the right connections to be rich (but corrupt) … would I prefer to be poor and noble or rich and corrupt? This is at the core of one of Socrates' dialogues on the Just Man.
Well, at least I am honest! Just give me money, that's all I want! At least I would have money. As it is now, I am poor and corrupt!
Congratulations again!
ReplyDeleteI love the maxim, if I want to test the character of a man, I would like give the man all of my money, but I couldn’t give him a power, because I am also ordinary people, even my family too ! I also thinking we have many ways to test a man’s character in this world, because all human too smart and everyone can find their way!
But today I am really do not like too much sharp criticize to your point, those point sounds have some passive and downhearted in here. I known you have deeply thoughts and rich inner feelings, whatever who are you, whatever how old are you. Are you sure you are happiness if you already get much money or if you have a rich family, or if you are the son of the power family? Once you have the much money what do you want to do? Yes , you are honest. I know beateles also have another maxim:”And in the end, The love you take is equal to the love you make”! This is for you!
We shuold thinking what is define the virtue and what is the power again!!! If power can be rich, if virtue too, I don’t think you are happiness everyday! All of things depending what do you want from your heart? You heart will tell you the truth!