<I just put together a list of human endeavors from medicine to physics research to humanitarian NGOs and thought I might come up with some aspect of human activity that is more pure, honest or untainted than is the financial/political realm. Reflecting upon all the scandals and improprieties in all of these realms, I believe that all human endeavor is subject to being corrupted, and has been.>
The expression "Money is the root of all evil" is silly. While the pursuit of money leads to all sorts of evil, it's not the money which is the problem. Money is like metres or kilograms, just a unit of measure. "Greed is the root of all evil" is more accurate.
The pursuit of money is a good thing because honestly acquired, it means that value to that extent has been given voluntarily by other people in exchange for goods and services rendered.
The more money somebody has, the more they have achieved for other people. So, sanctimonious, impoverished people who despise $ill Gates are contemptible failures in life who have achieved little for others. Having written that, it's obvious that it's only partly true, but it is partly true if their efforts have been in paying occupations. There are more ways to measure value than in money, but it's the main way in the earning world. My wife hasn't produced many dollars but I'd trade all my past, present and future dollars for what she's produced, for example [which, more or less, I have done - on a shared basis anyway].
As you say, greed and corruption are everywhere, from televangelists, to scientists, teachers and doctors to accountants and truck drivers. Politicians have a good share.
Ghandi said [so they say] that the line between good and evil runs right through the middle of each person's heart.
Mqurice |
