It’s not the sin by which you measure harm — it’s by the acts of the sinner. In which case, if either motivates one to break the singular universal law, Thou Shall Not Steal, then what is the point of comparing these two sins. One could just as well ask what causes more harm, love or hate?
“I assume as such they are held in equal esteem by the lord. ”
I don’t think they are equal.
The command to not envy is one of the Ten Commandments. No direct mention of greed in the Ten Commandments. That alone tells me envy is the greater sin.
— With greed, it doesn’t matter how MANY earthly goods you have. You always want more. Generally, it only involves you.
— With envy it doesn’t matter how LITTLE earthly goods there are. There may be only one apple left in the world (because you have all the others), but you want your neighbor’s remaining apple simply because he has it. It involves you AND someone else. Truly, this is more abhorrent than greed.
That was an interesting comment. If the US goes and takes over another country in hopes of solidifying more power…is that greed or envy? The dollar as reserve currency is greed or envy?
I ask because I believe that either greed or envy causes more problems on a larger scale. I just don’t think the jury is in on which one yet.
Well, I can’t answer that. I think greed and envy are solely human emotions.
A country — while made up of humans — is itself not human. It is a human construct. In other words a country cannot feel joy, sadness, greed, envy etc. etc. Even when we say a “country mourns its dead”, we only mean that in a literary sense, not literal.
“Democracy soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” John Adams
Considering the circus currently playing in dc I’d say that the endgame has arrived-but I always try to see the sunny side of events.
MrLiberty
October 2, 2018 10:26 am
Which does more harm? GOVERNMENT….because it enables BOTH of those drives to be able to exploit an immense power structure with the “legal” monopoly on violence. That power structure can easily be used against mass numbers of people to achieve these goals. As a lone individual, there is very little harm you can do. Remember, Hitler was just a disgruntled artist before he got his hands of the government of Germany. Similar could be said about Stalin, Mao, PolPot, Nixon, LBJ, FDR, Wilson, Lincoln, Bush, and all the other tyrants and mass murderers in our history.
splurge
October 2, 2018 10:48 am
That is in fact a fabulous video. I still think they work in concert as partners.
Steve C
October 2, 2018 11:10 am
The video seems to be more about awakening ourselves to the realization that all is not as it seems. That we are being harvested like ‘The Matrix.’ It suggests that we look and see things as they really are rather than being about greed or envy, although those traits are certainly a part of it.
“…None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free…” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
And many that can see for themselves do nothing.
“…A slave is one who waits for someone else to come and free him…” — Ezra Pound
Personally, I find it all comes from within ourselves. This is what works for me…
”…I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do…” Professor Bernardo de la Paz, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress — Robert A. Heinlein
Both are sins. I assume as such they are held in equal esteem by the lord.
To me at least, that is the only important measure.
It’s not the sin by which you measure harm — it’s by the acts of the sinner. In which case, if either motivates one to break the singular universal law, Thou Shall Not Steal, then what is the point of comparing these two sins. One could just as well ask what causes more harm, love or hate?
No sin, no sinner
Hmm, I don’t know, is murder worse than lying?
“I assume as such they are held in equal esteem by the lord. ”
I don’t think they are equal.
The command to not envy is one of the Ten Commandments. No direct mention of greed in the Ten Commandments. That alone tells me envy is the greater sin.
— With greed, it doesn’t matter how MANY earthly goods you have. You always want more. Generally, it only involves you.
— With envy it doesn’t matter how LITTLE earthly goods there are. There may be only one apple left in the world (because you have all the others), but you want your neighbor’s remaining apple simply because he has it. It involves you AND someone else. Truly, this is more abhorrent than greed.
That was an interesting comment. If the US goes and takes over another country in hopes of solidifying more power…is that greed or envy? The dollar as reserve currency is greed or envy?
I ask because I believe that either greed or envy causes more problems on a larger scale. I just don’t think the jury is in on which one yet.
Well, I can’t answer that. I think greed and envy are solely human emotions.
A country — while made up of humans — is itself not human. It is a human construct. In other words a country cannot feel joy, sadness, greed, envy etc. etc. Even when we say a “country mourns its dead”, we only mean that in a literary sense, not literal.
Gotcha. But, those decisions are made by people. Were they decisions made by greed or envy?
Can a group be greedy and/or envious?
What? It’s like what’s the difference between a Socialist Democrat and a Communist.
Greed is the end product manufactured in the workshops of envy.
That was terrific. How can anyone find concert with this message and defend democracy? It boggles my mind.
Thanks for posting.
Thanks for actually watching the video. I don’t think too many people did.
It is mind boggling how democracy always “ends.”
“Democracy soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” John Adams
Considering the circus currently playing in dc I’d say that the endgame has arrived-but I always try to see the sunny side of events.
Which does more harm? GOVERNMENT….because it enables BOTH of those drives to be able to exploit an immense power structure with the “legal” monopoly on violence. That power structure can easily be used against mass numbers of people to achieve these goals. As a lone individual, there is very little harm you can do. Remember, Hitler was just a disgruntled artist before he got his hands of the government of Germany. Similar could be said about Stalin, Mao, PolPot, Nixon, LBJ, FDR, Wilson, Lincoln, Bush, and all the other tyrants and mass murderers in our history.
That is in fact a fabulous video. I still think they work in concert as partners.
The video seems to be more about awakening ourselves to the realization that all is not as it seems. That we are being harvested like ‘The Matrix.’ It suggests that we look and see things as they really are rather than being about greed or envy, although those traits are certainly a part of it.
“…None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free…” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
And many that can see for themselves do nothing.
“…A slave is one who waits for someone else to come and free him…” — Ezra Pound
Personally, I find it all comes from within ourselves. This is what works for me…
”…I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do…” Professor Bernardo de la Paz, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress — Robert A. Heinlein
I think it’s greed that forces this human farm on us. Could it actually be envy that makes us want to enslave others? Really?
You have a thousand slaves and I only have 900. I want a thousand and one…
Maybe it’s a circular argument?
Excellent video, Wip. Thanks.