Thursday, May 19, 2011

Tell me where to draw the line.

Currently reading a philosophical book regarding men's struggle between good and evil.


I am reading this because just a few short weeks ago I was thinking about the very issue this book is discussing.
That perhaps in actual fact, no man is resistant to temptation, and the key is mainly the building of circumstances surrounding the said man.
What if the core of every human is evil?
That in spite of 孔子's claim on  人之初,性本善, men are essentially evil to begin with, but as they progress along their lives, the teachings are what mold them to be good?
Does that mean without the teachings and proper guidance, men are likely to be evil?
That the ancient Greek rules of the Natural Law does not exist?
Does that mean that all humans are born barbaric?

And here are a few of my favorite quotes from this book.
  • Whenever you want to achieve something in life, keep your eyes open, concentrate and make sure you know exactly what is it that you want. No one can hit their target with their eyes closed.
  • Two kinds of idiots. Those who don't take action because they have received a threat, and those who think they are taking action because they have issued a threat.
  • The story of one man is the story of all men.
  • Anyone who loves in the expectation of being loved in return is wasting their time.
  • Rich men never waste a penny, only poor people do that.
  • Man needs what's worst in him in order to achieve what's best in him.

I have a habit of scribbling down quotes from books on yellow post-its, and proceed to molest my bedroom wall with them haha! I am not perfect and more often than not, I do find myself straying from the good. They serve as a reminder and a guideline of how I should live my life, the important things I should focus on.

And this book has given birth to a lot more yellow post-its on my wall. I really like this book. :)

3 comments:

  1. Oh darling, you should send me one of your post its. My wall is now barren due to lack of uni notes:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I do that too! The post it notes! I just don't stick em on the wall. My mom would prob complain lol. I stick em on the books and then copy the quotes in one of my many lil journals/notebooks. Lol.

    ReplyDelete
  3. @Sally: Consider it done, love. ;)

    @Danica: We are so similar in so many ways. I love you to the moon and back! :D

    ReplyDelete