60 "Greed - The Downfall of the World"
Also, something from Ben Franklin per H. B.
Greed- The Downfall of the World
The way I see it, this world as we know it, won’t be around long enough to end in a catastrophic disaster such as a meteor, comet or asteroid strike.
The world as we know it, today, won’t end due to a nuclear war or because of robots taking over mankind. It won’t end because of political or religious indifferences.
This entire world is facing the same dilemma that is destroying the United States right now.
The one thing that is actually going to destroy this world is simply “Greed”.
I have brought up the word “Greed” because I believe that this is the big problem with the world today. And maybe it has been for a long time, but today it seems to show more, probably because there are more “Greedy” people. The stronger the “Greedy” get, the “Greedier” they are. With the “Greedy” there is never enough. Even when they have more than they need to survive they have to have more. They feel that the more they have, the more power they have and the “Greedy” always have to have power. That is the only way they feel they can survive.
“Greed” is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Those seven are as follows:
Greed – A very possessive pursuit of wealth, status and power.
Sloth – Laziness and indifference.
Acedia – Uneasiness of the mind.
Anger – Inordinate or uncontrollable hatred.
Envy – Insatiable desire to own or control what someone else has.
Vainglory – Interested only in one’s self.
Pride – This is considered the original and most serious of the Seven Deadly Sins and the source of the others, to be more important than others.
All religions believe that “Greed” is the root or cause of all man’s evils. “Greed”, the more you acquire, the more you require. The “Greed” of mankind is insatiable.
Two other words could be added to that list, glutton and lust.
My brother-in-law, who is very wise in his ways and on history and historic events, read this and pointed out the there is something he considers a little more of a problem than “Greed” and that is “Selfishness”.
As he put it to me is like this. “I think the problem is more like “Selfishness” than “Greed”. (Slight difference) Maybe the word “Altruism” (concern for others) is too big for some to understand.”
According to him, “Two basic human traits drive social interaction, social climbing and altruism.”
He also pointed out to me the following, “Feelings are the earliest stage of thought because a thought forms and grows into idea, then a plan and then an action. Good feelings directed by sound virtues are important because they are a living thing and growth is most easily controlled at an early stage. Growth can be likened to a smoldering fire – much easier controlled before it bursts into flame.”
“The only absolute in human social behavior is the past and its effect is subject to interpretation. Each person, each day, chooses to do something or simply mark time.”
He also included the following from Ben Franklin’s “Art of Virtue”:
1) Temperance. 2) Silence. 3) Order. 4) Resolution. 5) Frugality. 6) Industry. 7) Sincerity. 8) Justice. 9) Moderation. 10) Cleanliness. 11) Tranquility. 12) Chastity. 13) Humility. [Franklin added the 13th after consulting a religious leader.]
Since this man is very wise and follows a lot of old history, I felt it may be useful to include his information in my hub.
Greg
