Sometimes, when you feel most powerful, you are in fact the most insignificant. Then, when you feel quite insignificant, you are the most powerful. It is a strange state of irony, but it very often holds true. The more our confidence pushes us toward arrogance, the weaker our moral position becomes, while the more our confidence pushes us to understand the greatness of the whole and our small part in it, the more the world opens up to us. It wanes toward the biblical and the God-fearing, and I find it interesting.
I have had a philosophy for some time now, that I am better off being bold, brazen, and visible rather than quiet, meek, and hidden. My rationale is that if I am confident, and believe I have something good to give or share, it is my duty to share it. It's like the candle under the bushel. I'm not a fan of that. It might catch the bushel on fire. So, while many might find my ways arrogant and cocky, the motives behind them are pure my aim is to be anything but that. I hope at times that my confidence, ambition, and determination inspire hope and optimism rather than irritation, cynicism, and contempt. But the world cannot judge us by our motives.
As much as people would like to prosecute 'hate crimes' differently than other crimes, we cannot become a society that looks to punish for motive. We punish for the deed. What differentiates a 'hate crime' from 'crime?' There are in fact both wrong, but I think the hubris required to attempt to punish someone for their intent, without being able to really gauge it is folly. In the same way, I will continue to be me. I will say what I say, stand up for what I believe, and try to be a visible example. Of course I will falter, make mistakes, do and say stupid things, but my intent is good. And men cannot judge my intent. That is for God.
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1 comment:
I've often analyzed the philosophical ideas behind topics like this. I was quite often a proponent of "I'm going to say what I say and I have no intent to injure others by my words, so if they are offended it is their own fault." And I eventually came to a realization that that is not completely the case. We do have some responsibility to decency and sensitivity to others in showing tact or thoughtfulness in what we say or do. Of course this is more of a standard that guides our day to day more than something like a blog. So I'm by no means saying you should censor your blog. Keep up the good work and I hope there can be more exciting discussion like your blog from a couple days back.
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