Author Topic: Does well-meaning and good-hearted Stupid? (Read 2017 times)

s2srea · « **on:** October 03, 2011, 06:46:59 PM »

Another member on stated this recently:

Quote

People who are well-meaning and good-hearted are more likely to be tricked, more likely to be deceived, and are more likely to be trusted inordinately when the fact of the matter is that nearly everyone, nice or not, is subject to temptations.

Its not important who stated it, I just wanted to discuss it more.

I completely disagree with this statement. Actually, I'll take it a step further, I don't only disagree, but I would argue that someone who is prone to a negative outlook in life and about people, would hold this type of view. Remember, simplicity does not equal stupidity; nor does innocence. This is a false teaching of the modern world. That one who is innocent is stupid and, therefore, more likely to be deceived.

I would say I'm passionate about this because I like to think that I'm a well-meaning and good hearted person. I know I'm not stupid, nor am I likely to be deceived more than the next person. If anything, my good-willed nature tends to fool others to thinking they can deceive me, when, in fact, I'm well aware of my situation and surroundings.

PartyIsOver221 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2011, 07:01:35 PM »

Whoever wrote that is a noob and just plain wrong. Bitterness and/or modernism oozing out their pores.

I don't even think a response to him/her is worthy of any higher intellect vocabulary than "noob" so I'll leave it at that.

Sigismund · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2011, 07:51:30 PM »

Noob?

Telesphorus · « **Reply #3 on:** October 03, 2011, 07:59:05 PM »

It's a simple fact that someone who thinks the best of people is more likely to be taken advantage of. Life is a game where those who cheat and break the rules have their way in this fallen world more often than not.

Playing by the rules, thinking the best of people, in an evil society, it can become a serious handicap. That is why men striving for holiness have often fled the world.

At the same time, those who insist that it is always true that evil prospers and that the good are always weak is engaging in unwarranted cynicism. There seems to be no question in this time and place though that the the breakdown of social morality has led to a situation where cynicism is very hard to seriously oppose.

And even if one is not cynical, we should not forget that the Gospels tell us:

the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

Now, going back to the context of the conversation, the education of youth, in particular girls, I think it is very evident that sweetness and innocence are far more likely to be corrupted by evil people than wickedness and corruption are likely to be reformed by exposure to good.

Gold is tested in fire but that test will inevitably come. We should never throw our treasure into the fire on purpose.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #4 on:** October 03, 2011, 07:59:20 PM »

It's too broad of a statement to say that I completely disagree. But, I do not think that well-meaning = stupid. Being too "nice" can be it's own downfall (as the original thread suggested) and naivete may play a part, but having an inclination to please / serve others doesn't equate to being more likely to be deceived.

I do agree that good-hearted people are "more likely to be trusted inordinately" as good or not, we all have our weaknesses. I wouldn't use the word "temptation", though, as this author did.