On Fri, 08 Oct 2004 20:37:42 -0700, Mark & Juanita
wrote:
Why do you view something that someone has done with their own resources
for their satisfaction as money wasted and "not doing good?" Certainly
the people building the house benefited from its construction -- it
provided money and jobs. Those supplying water and fuel will benefit as
will those who provide maintenance and upkeep or who provide the supplies
for those activities.
It seems more Hubris to place oneself in judgement of what another does
with their resources and judging "all the good that might have been done
with just the money wasted ... "
"Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on
simplicity."
"[Socrates] There seem to be two causes of the deterioration of the
arts.
[Adeimantus] What are they?
[Socrates] Wealth, I said, and poverty.
[Adeimantus] How do they act?
[Socrates] The process is as follows: When a potter becomes rich, will
he, think you, any longer take the same pains with his art?
[Adeimantus] Certainly not.
[Socrates] He will grow more and more indolent and careless?
[Adeimantus] Very true.
[Socrates] And the result will be that he becomes a worse potter?
[Adeimantus] Yes; he greatly deteriorates.
[Socrates] But, on the other hand, if he has no money, and cannot
provide himself with tools or instruments, he will not work equally
well himself, nor will he teach his sons or apprentices to work
equally well.
[Adeimantus] Certainly not.
[Socrates] Then, under the influence either of poverty or of wealth,
workmen and their work are equally liable to degenerate?
[Adeimantus] That is evident.
[Socrates] Here, then, is a discovery of new evils, I said, against
which the guardians will have to watch, or they will creep into the
city unobserved.
[Adeimantus] What evils?
[Socrates] Wealth, I said, and poverty; the one is the parent of
luxury and indolence, and the other of meanness and viciousness, and
both of discontent."
Plato, The Republic, Book IV.
Regards,
Tom.
"People funny. Life a funny thing." Sonny Liston
Thomas J.Watson - Cabinetmaker (ret.)
tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet (real email)
http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1