Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Caring Matters

I need not fear my enemies because the most they can do is attack me. I need not fear my friends because the most they can do is betray me. But I have much to fear from people who are indifferent.
~ Assyrian Proverb ~
For me, indifference is one of the most galling human traits. It's one thing if a person doesn't have a strong opinion on trivial matters; it's quite another if we're talking about important stuff. The indifferent person will often standby when great harm is being caused and just look away in a ho-hum manner.

Like almost anyone else, I like it when folks agree with me. However, I would much rather deal with someone who vehemently disagrees with me than with someone who is so self-absorbed that they don't give a flip. I'd rather you care about aspects that I don't agree with than not care at all.

In my opinion, indifferent individuals are the most dangerous of all. It reminds of the short poem attributed to the Pastor Martin Niemöller:
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak out.

2 comments:

  1. er, um, ahem....AMEN, Brother!

    American Idol, et al, is the new opiate of the masses. Keep'em pacified and stupid and you can get away with anything.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are SO right re American Idol. The country already is getting gaga over the new season.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are unmoderated, so you can write whatever you want.