Why are the virtuous predominately humble and the corrupt confident?

[DerekG]

Don't get me wrong, there are wonderful people at all levels of government (Dennis Kucinich is just one example).

But why is it that most of the kind and decent people I've come across want nothing to do with power--they are raked with doubt. And then think of every boorish, vindictive, unintelligent and downright brutal human being you've encountered--you'll see confidence. They have no qualms about running for class president, school boards, governor, state senates, Congress and of course, President of the United States.

Remember the story about George W. Bush retiring for the night 15 minutes after giving his address to the nation on Iraq? He basically ordered a country to be set aflame, and probably got a good night's sleep.

[jpgray]

1. One can be both humble and confident

And the people you mention are not confident, in fact they are constantly wracked with doubt and insecurity--this in part drives them to acquire power over the lives of others.

[DerekG]

2. Yes, but it takes a certain bravado to decide the fate of men

My aunt, the most wonderful human being I've met, would balk at the decisions even the mayor of a small town would have to make.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Wisdom is often silent; ignorance is loud

Remember, please, the words of Jesus, who said not to make a big show of your prayers, like the hypocrites do, but rather to retire to your closet to pray in private. This advice is taken by the wise not only in prayers, but also in action.

[unblock]

4. the very things the make you competent undermine your confidence

the more you know, the more you know you don't know.

if you don't know much, it's easy to convince yourself one side is right, the other side is wrong, and that's the end of that. easy to be confident in that decision.

but if you know more, you know it's not so easy, there are more than two sides, there are other issues, unknown facts, other considerations. you can come up with a much better solution, but it's hard to be confident because you know all the ways it could turn out wrong.

[sangh0]

5. Because humility is virtuous and corruption is brazen

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