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Post by revmichael on Nov 30, 2007 8:09:11 GMT
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man." (Mark Twain)
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Post by Fi on Nov 30, 2007 12:10:54 GMT
Are you really sure about that Michael? It seems to suggest that any human who is helped out of poverty will eventually turn on those who helped them!
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Post by revmichael on Nov 30, 2007 13:16:58 GMT
Are you really sure about that Michael? It seems to suggest that any human who is helped out of poverty will eventually turn on those who helped them! 'Twern't me wot sed it Miss. It's that Twain fella and I suppose his views and those of some others may differ and we're left with the situation that never the twain shall meet. Seriously, of course you are right Fi. Not everyone turns on those who have helped them in the past - but it does sometimes happen - honest.
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Post by Fi on Dec 1, 2007 0:50:53 GMT
I've no doubt it does - but not inevitably as Twain suggests - but then I've never acccepted that the concept of original sin has any validity either
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Post by revmichael on Dec 1, 2007 9:27:28 GMT
I've no doubt it does - but not inevitably as Twain suggests - but then I've never acccepted that the concept of original sin has any validity either It seems that Twain is making a point to get people to talk. Exaggeration is often used to start off a discussion.
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Post by flouncey on Dec 1, 2007 14:41:46 GMT
Many of Twain's quotes make for interesting points of discussion, probably enough to keep the rectory going for a good few months
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Post by revmichael on Dec 1, 2007 16:26:37 GMT
Many of Twain's quotes make for interesting points of discussion, probably enough to keep the rectory going for a good few months You've been reading my mine, my friend.
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Post by Fi on Dec 3, 2007 13:43:48 GMT
I've no doubt it does - but not inevitably as Twain suggests - but then I've never acccepted that the concept of original sin has any validity either It seems that Twain is making a point to get people to talk. Exaggeration is often used to start off a discussion. Fair enough - but I think all generalisations are dangerous, including this one (I mean mine, not yours). I'd rather think well of people until I have evidence to suggest otherwise. I've never been able to equate 'loving my neighbour' with drawing attention to their myriad faults, either real or assumed. That is because my experience has been that most people live up to other people's expectations, so rather than treating them all as potential sinners, it would be far more profitable to treat them as potential saints.
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Post by revmichael on Dec 3, 2007 14:10:25 GMT
It seems that Twain is making a point to get people to talk. Exaggeration is often used to start off a discussion. Fair enough - but I think all generalisations are dangerous, including this one (I mean mine, not yours). I'd rather think well of people until I have evidence to suggest otherwise. I've never been able to equate 'loving my neighbour' with drawing attention to their myriad faults, either real or assumed. That is because my experience has been that most people live up to other people's expectations, so rather than treating them all as potential sinners, it would be far more profitable to treat them as potential saints.Exactly. The Bible places more emphasis on 'examine yourself' than 'look how bad other people are.'
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