Finding comfort in cynicism

[StudentMI]

Reading responses to the issue if the Little Sisters of the Poor got me thinking. The issue seems to divide right down the line Republicans and Democrats. Those in the former category are staunchly against the Sisters being forced to provide contraception coverage.

The latter are a bit more nuanced. You have those justifying forcing the Sisters to violate their conscience, to those dismissing the issue as a Republican talking point. In all this, the Sisters themselves have been forgotten. Sacrificed on the altar of political partisanship.

This upset me, until I reverted to my cynical view of the world. I find immense comfort in being able to know that most people, when you get down to it, aren’t really good. They’re just selfish individuals out for their own comfort. Even St Augustine, somewhere, remarked people get an emotional comfort out of helping others.

Extending this to the world, things become clear. Selfish people abound. Goodness is hard to find. It also makes finding genuine goodness so rewarding as to elicit tears.

Just wanted to share.

 

[Beryllos]

Cheer up, my friend. There are good people. There are also people who have missed out on the good, and others who have strayed away from the good. There’s no point in calling them scumbags. All are loved by God. Let us likewise love all.

 

[Cruciferi]

They’re just selfish individuals out for their own comfort.

Ah, you perfectly described Management.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Thanks, but I prefer Anne Frank’s take on the matter.

 

[ZemD]

They’re just selfish individuals out for their own comfort.

I wish I didn’t agree with this, because it makes me very sad. But I 100% agree with this.

 

[StudentMI]

Thanks. I’m happy though. It’s actually reassuring to be a cynic as odd as that may sound.

 

[Beryllos]

The happiness found in low expectations?

 

[StudentMI]

Exactly! If you have low expectations you have nothing to do but be surprised by good results.

 

[Beryllos]

Only beware that low expectations can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Look higher.

 

[redbetta]

Goodness is hard to find. It also makes finding genuine goodness so rewarding as to elicit tears.

I can relate to that. Pretty much any act of genuine goodness will move me to happy tears, even seemingly minor ones. Hell, even ones that happened years ago still move me to tears.