Quotes

"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues." Abraham Lincoln

Is that a truism, or merely a common trait observed by Lincoln? In other words, is there reason to believe that vices contribute to more or more pronounced virtues? I can't imagine why that would be the case. But it could be that Lincoln was making an observation on an aspect of human nature. Some have a tendency to slip into a kind of muddled complacency, with no particular vices and no particular virtues. But those who live more deliberately step out of that safe ground. Their virtues are many, but by the nature of humans so are their vices.

"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." Winston Churchill

I think this would be related to the Lincoln observation. The only way to avoid having enemies is to become so pliable that you end up having no particular principles. That's one of the animating elements of politics. Some of the most admired politicians are, in fact, the ones who stood up to principle. Churchill being an excellent example. Harry Truman, president immediately after Roosevelt and before Eisenhower being another. Sometimes, however, it takes time for people see and appreciate the strength.

I struggle with this. I'm so deeply programmed to avoid rocking the boat that I tend to avoid standing firm on anything. It's not that I'm obviously two-faced, it's that I shy away from taking stands at all.

"One of the common failings among honorable people is a failure to appreciate how thoroughly dishonorable some other people can be, and how dangerous it is to trust them." Thomas Sowell

Indeed. As a side note, Thomas Sowell is black professor at Stanford University in Palo Alto and a fellow at the Hoover Institute there. He is a prolific author and staunch conservative. And, as mentioned, he's black. Therefore, in liberal American circles, "black and conservative" is to be reviled. And he is. But conservatives love him. With no particular regard to his skin color.

I'm trying to place this in the context of biblical teaching. I'm not convinced Jesus taught us to go out and be blindingly trusting of others. In fact, there's considerable admonition to assess others carefully -- to avoid wasting the good things of God on those who will trample it; and to avoid false teachers, who seek to tempt the weak into damnation.

How does one be open and loving and properly wary of those who should not be trusted? I have no idea whatever.