Meaning Well...is Meaningless

Joe Stalin
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That's what, "Neither our words, nor our intentions mean anything, only our day-to-day actions define us," means.

Anyone...and everyone claims "good intentions," but words and intentions mean nothing. Every successful serial killer has been charming and skilled at appearing harmless, even kind and decent.

Hitler, Stalin and Mao all had "good intentions." ALL of them claimed they wanted to reduce economic inequities and strengthen their countries. ALL of them sought to deliver that via a centralized slave state.

Few people have ever had the opportunity and the responsibility that such leaders had. THANKFULLY, few modern politicians have had anything close to that level of control. More power generates more temptation to excess and abuse and has almost always led to tyranny.

For most of us, we are defined by our daily actions and interactions with others. How well, or poorly we treat others (ESPECIALLY those we may not like, or agree with), how charitable we are DAY-to-DAY, are what make us decent...or not. Real charity is given anonymously, without any expectation of praise, or profit. It's important that each of us look inward and first judge/critique ourselves before looking to criticize others.

Today, it's very difficult for most people to be decent in this indecently polarized world. Conflict and confrontation are seen as virtues by BOTH sides. Humility and decency are the first casualties.

That's a very sad state of affairs.