A dinner conversation that's still bothering me.

[vlyons]

16. You have exactly identified the problem

as I see it, the problem is a person's lack of virtue and compassion. By virtue, I mean in the classical Greek ideas of virtue being wisdom, moderation, courage, and justice. And by compassion, I mean in the sense of the Golden Rule to "Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you." That doesn't seem to be instilled much in kids these days. In their place, kids get a steady stream of commercial advertising to buy more stuff, buy more stuff, get more money, get more money. Greed is an all-consuming passion, to be followed by anger, when it becomes impossible to make enough money to get all that stuff. Followed by hatred at those others "over there" that are the frustrating cause of not being able to get enough money to buy all that stuff. In Buddhism, we see greed, ignorance, and hatred as the 3 poisons of negative emotions. But try explaining that to those that are caught up in the endless strong emotion of greed. Fat chance. I have found for the most part that they aren't ready to hear it, much less do the work necessary to begin to get free of it.

But I have found that a small reminder to follow the Golden Rule is in everyone's self interest. Because who knows when you'll need a kind person to help you? Who knows when you'll get a flat tire on a lonely road at night, or when your company will lay you off, or when you'll spend the rent money taking a sick child to the doctor, or when you'll slip on an icey step and fall? Those are the times when it would be a god-send to have a kind person to help you out a bit. Just so, it's in everyone's self interest to be kind and practice fhe Golden Rule to be kind to others. Kindness and generosity go hand in hand. Not just generosity of the wallet, but generosity of the spirit. So far, everyone that I've told this tale to has perfectly understood my meaning. I usually end by asking them to think about the Golden Rule a little bit. Because who knows when they might have the chance to play the role of great hero by giving a little kindness and generosity towards someone else.