You wrote: it costs nothing to be kind. I think this is a platitude. While sometimes it might cost nothing to be kind, I think it can also cost a tremendous amount to be kind. Even one’s life. And it is precisely when kindness is expensive that it matters.
I think Nietzsche said something along the lines of: people without claws who don’t use them aren’t exercising self control.
I do believe the New Testament warns against “philosophy and empty deceit”
Hi Angela. It may cost you to be overly kind. I'm not suggesting sainthood. But common everyday kindness does actually cost nothing. Self sacrifice on the other hand - which is of a different order to kindness - obviously costs dearly. I don't recommend it.
I agree that kindness doesn't require self-sacrifice. But I think you are confusing "being nice" with "being kind." Being kind, even everyday kindness, comes at a cost: emotional, social, opportunity, comfort. Meaningful kindness requires giving something up. There is a cost. That's part of what distinguished kindness from just being nice.
I also agree that some self-sacrifice isn't recommended. But these kinds of philosophical things are nuanced. Self sacrifice is interesting to explore as well. I note that you don't recommend it but I think if you explore it a bit more you might find that certain sacrificial acts are sacred. For instance, the people throwing potatoes at the Jews on death marches were being kind- providing them with food at the risk of death. But the greater risk, in NOT taking moral action would have been a loss of self. This isn't sainthood level sacrifice. It's a moral imperative.
Btw, thanks for recommending GSaunders book on Russian short stories. I now feel, on absorbing his analysis of these great writers, that I've acquired a deep writerly wisdom. I'm now transfer this onto a persisently blank page..
G. Saunders is great! Without his swim in the pond I’d have no appreciation for Russian Literature. He has a substack called Storytime. Highly recommended.
You wrote: it costs nothing to be kind. I think this is a platitude. While sometimes it might cost nothing to be kind, I think it can also cost a tremendous amount to be kind. Even one’s life. And it is precisely when kindness is expensive that it matters.
I think Nietzsche said something along the lines of: people without claws who don’t use them aren’t exercising self control.
I do believe the New Testament warns against “philosophy and empty deceit”
Hi Angela. It may cost you to be overly kind. I'm not suggesting sainthood. But common everyday kindness does actually cost nothing. Self sacrifice on the other hand - which is of a different order to kindness - obviously costs dearly. I don't recommend it.
I agree that kindness doesn't require self-sacrifice. But I think you are confusing "being nice" with "being kind." Being kind, even everyday kindness, comes at a cost: emotional, social, opportunity, comfort. Meaningful kindness requires giving something up. There is a cost. That's part of what distinguished kindness from just being nice.
I also agree that some self-sacrifice isn't recommended. But these kinds of philosophical things are nuanced. Self sacrifice is interesting to explore as well. I note that you don't recommend it but I think if you explore it a bit more you might find that certain sacrificial acts are sacred. For instance, the people throwing potatoes at the Jews on death marches were being kind- providing them with food at the risk of death. But the greater risk, in NOT taking moral action would have been a loss of self. This isn't sainthood level sacrifice. It's a moral imperative.
Yes…the journey! Thanks Tim 🙏
I guess knowing that wisdom is indefinable, changeable and often hard won is wisdom in itself.
It would be nice to think so.
Btw, thanks for recommending GSaunders book on Russian short stories. I now feel, on absorbing his analysis of these great writers, that I've acquired a deep writerly wisdom. I'm now transfer this onto a persisently blank page..
LOL
G. Saunders is great! Without his swim in the pond I’d have no appreciation for Russian Literature. He has a substack called Storytime. Highly recommended.
Transferring