I Think It Makes A Difference...Don't You?
Regarding personal ethics, IMNSHO, there are two kinds of "good" people.
The first kind of person maintains a high standard of behavior, mainly because to do otherwise could subject him to criminal prosecution, loss of employment, loss of home and family, peer criticism, or social ostracization. You can trust this person as long as he knows he will be found out if he proves to be untrustworthy.
The second kind of person maintains a high standard of behavior, just because it is the right thing to do, regardless of who sees him, who knows about it, or what the consequences might be. You can trust this person with anything, anytime, anywere.
There do seem to be more of the first kind in the world, but it still annoys me when I think someone is the second kind of person, and he turns out to be the first kind.
The first kind of person maintains a high standard of behavior, mainly because to do otherwise could subject him to criminal prosecution, loss of employment, loss of home and family, peer criticism, or social ostracization. You can trust this person as long as he knows he will be found out if he proves to be untrustworthy.
The second kind of person maintains a high standard of behavior, just because it is the right thing to do, regardless of who sees him, who knows about it, or what the consequences might be. You can trust this person with anything, anytime, anywere.
There do seem to be more of the first kind in the world, but it still annoys me when I think someone is the second kind of person, and he turns out to be the first kind.
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Agreed, and yes, it would hurt to discover someone was not the person we believed them to be and unfortunately you really don't know which category they fall into except what your gut tells you; that is until they provide proof they fall into the first category! 0 -
Very astute observation and so true. In my case I always try to behave as if my mother is watching. Although I often don't live up to that lofty goal. 0 -
You rarely know which of the two a person is until you get to know them very, very well.
In any case, as long as they do the right thing, regardless of their motivation, I'm pleasantly surprised.0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
Regarding personal ethics, IMNSHO, there are two kinds of "good" people.
The first kind of person maintains a high standard of behavior, mainly because to do otherwise could subject him to criminal prosecution, loss of employment, loss of home and family, peer criticism, or social ostracization. You can trust this person as long as he knows he will be found out if he proves to be untrustworthy.
The second kind of person maintains a high standard of behavior, just because it is the right thing to do, regardless of who sees him, who knows about it, or what the consequences might be. You can trust this person with anything, anytime, anywere.
There do seem to be more of the first kind in the world, but it still annoys me when I think someone is the second kind of person, and he turns out to be the first kind.
I like to consider myself more of the second kind. You just can't put a price on a clear concience.
Ben0 -
Does it count if you drink someone else's soft drink from the fridge at work....'cause I will replace it....eventually. 0 -
There are plenty of the no 2's in the church Sunday. Problem is they are not who you really think they are and are truely no.1 's. No. 2's will hold their ground regardless if they are outspoken. Not to many of them in this world. Won't back down. I don't put any trust in a 1 0 -
Agree nunn. 0 -
It is refreshing when for some reason
(that you can't quite put your finger on)
you think someone may be the first type,
when in truth, they turn out to be the second type.
Doesn't happen often, but.......
Yes, it makes a difference.0 -
David's comment reminded me of a quote I run onto in some research I'd done and stored away:
"A few people will not commit a murder because they fear that if they did they would be hanged. Hundreds of thousands of others abstain from murder because they regard it with horror. The primary reason for that horror is murderers are hanged.[:D]
Most (99.999%) people look out for their own interests. Their own includes close family and true friends.
Clouder..0 -
Good on Clouder... You should see the results of background checks on tenants. Three out of 100 may not have a criminal background. 0 -
Unfortunently the only way to find the people in group 2 is over time. Personal integrity is something learned and practiced in life over time. Only time and experiences with the individual will tell, and that means opening yourself up to be let down. On the flip side, when you do find those people, you usually have found a friend or collegue you can rely on for life. 0 -
I think you have to judge people by their actions and not by what you believe to be the content of their character or what you imagine to be their intentions or motivations. Those things cannot be known except by their actions, so no, I don't really care why you do right, only that you do. 0 -
Profound observation, Jeffery.
Doug0 -
as the saying goes...actions speak louder than words! i make my mind up whether someone is good by observing what they do, not what they say...inho, its the only way to find out. 0 -
I'm in group 2. Though my mouth sometimes gets away from me. 0 -
I like to think I am in the second group, as well.
All your character is, is how you behave when no one is watching.0 -
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
There are plenty of the no 2's in the church Sunday. Problem is they are not who you really think they are and are truely no.1 's. No. 2's will hold their ground regardless if they are outspoken. Not to many of them in this world. Won't back down. I don't put any trust in a 1
Plenty of True No. 1s stay at home or go golfing or fishing on Sunday morning, too.0 -
FWIW, I think President Clinton fell into the first group, but then so do most politicians. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
Regarding personal ethics, IMNSHO, there are two kinds of "good" people.
The first kind of person maintains a high standard of behavior, mainly because to do otherwise could subject him to criminal prosecution, loss of employment, loss of home and family, peer criticism, or social ostracization. You can trust this person as long as he knows he will be found out if he proves to be untrustworthy.
The second kind of person maintains a high standard of behavior, just because it is the right thing to do, regardless of who sees him, who knows about it, or what the consequences might be. You can trust this person with anything, anytime, anywere.
There do seem to be more of the first kind in the world, but it still annoys me when I think someone is the second kind of person, and he turns out to be the first kind.
I agree with you, David, it doesn't just make a difference -- it makes all the difference. I put the part about consequences in bold letters because that, to me, is the ultimate test of a "good" person: to do what he believes is right no matter what the cost, no matter if the rest of the world believes him to be dead-wrong. At the end of the day he doesn't have to face the rest of the world in the mirror.
I'm sorry if your reference to finding out what you thought was the second sort of person -- was actually the first -- is something just brought home to you the hard way.0 -
Agreed...but I generally read people very well. I have been surprised, but I usually know someone from the minute I meet them. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by sav99
I'm in group 2. Though my mouth sometimes gets away from me.
+1[^]0 -
for me (and this may sound corny) I like to think if my mother wre alive, would whatever I say or do embarass her, or cause shame upon her house.
Corny but it works for me. there have been many times that I have written a post here and think " is this cool, what would ma say" if it dosen't pass the test lots of times I just delete um.0 -
Louie L'Amore has a quote something to the effect; "If a man thinks others mean well because he does, he is simply out of his mind" The only people that are nice are the ones that can afford to be nice.
A well fed man will return the dollar you dropped while a hungry one will not..
We naked apes only look out for number one when the chips are down and NO ONE ever does anything that will not benefit themselves. All the stuff about #1 and #2 types is fluff. Whether your good deed goes toward getting you into heaven or the gratitude of the person helped, it benefits ones self.
If you expect the worst from people, you will never be disappointed (I thought most cops knew this).
I've always heard there are exceptions to everything, so who knows?[:)]0 -
quote:Whether your good deed goes toward getting you into heaven
That could never be the motivation for any true Christian...b/c it plays no part in our Salvation. Our motivation is out of our love for Christ and what He did for us on the cross...I will have to disagree with your assessment here. I have done the right thing when it was VERY costly to me...just b/c it was the right thing to do.0 -
I have done the right thing when it was VERY costly to me...just b/c it was the right thing to do.
Have you ALWAYS done the right thing? No slip ups ever?0 -
quote:Originally posted by mlincoln
I have done the right thing when it was VERY costly to me...just b/c it was the right thing to do.
Have you ALWAYS done the right thing? No slip ups ever?
Nope...and thankfully, it is not required for my Salvation. I fall short much more than I would like.0 -
Fair enough, and good for you for fessing up. I too, fall short, and probably a lot more often than you! Quite honestly, I have a problem with the original post. I think most people are honest about most things, but still have areas where they fall short.
What I mean is this: I would do business with you, ECC, even though you sometimes take a pencil home from work or allow your dog to poop on the neighbor's lawn or whatever. I have a feeling that as far as the big things go, you're 100% a square dealer. And you, like everybody, has an area or two where you do things that are immoral.0 -
quote:Originally posted by mlincoln
Fair enough, and good for you for fessing up. I too, fall short, and probably a lot more often than you! Quite honestly, I have a problem with the original post. I think most people are honest about most things, but still have areas where they fall short.
What I mean is this: I would do business with you, ECC, even though you sometimes take a pencil home from work or allow your dog to poop on the neighbor's lawn or whatever. I have a feeling that as far as the big things go, you're 100% a square dealer. And you, like everybody, has an area or two where you do things that are immoral.
It hurts to hear it said, but in all honesty it is true.0 -
Louie L'Amore has a quote something to the effect; "If a man thinks others mean well because he does, he is simply out of his mind" The only people that are nice are the ones that can afford to be nice.
A well fed man will return the dollar you dropped while a hungry one will not..
Mark Twain said "The difference between a hungry man and a hungry dog is if you feed the dog he will be your friend for life."0 -
quote:I'm sorry if your reference to finding out what you thought was the second sort of person -- was actually the first -- is something just brought home to you the hard way.
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Me too.0
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