Rachel Allison
Thomas Fuller, English historian and writer wrote, “The first faults are theirs that commit them; the second theirs that permit them.” Another quote worth memorizing is by Plautus, “I count that man as lost who has lost his sense of shame.”
We also lose much when we lose our sense of concern, and when we cease to worry ourselves with what can or should be done. Too many of us applaud the actions and out-spokenness of others…but fail to move or find our own voice.
Indifference to anything that is far from what it ought to be is a dangerous disease, for there is no evidence or indication that evil, without opposition, will ever put restraints upon itself….yes, I’m going to quote the oft-quoted: “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
When we see immodesty, false standards, attractive temptations, and people, young and old, persuaded to patronize low-minded entertainment or persuaded to partake of things that would be injurious to body, mind, and morals—if to all of this we turn aside with seeming unconcern, we can expect society to move further toward the downside, because evil is brazen, greedy, unembarrassed, without regard for wholesomeness, or health, or happiness.
There comes a time when we have to search ourselves, and not always blame all things on others, or onto the trends of the times. Without the courage to stand against what shouldn’t be, life could drift to its lowest level. “Stand with him while he is right,” said Abraham Lincoln, “and part with him when he goes wrong.” To paraphrase the sentence earlier cited: I count that man as lost—that civilization, that society as lost—that has lost the sense of shame. “The first faults are theirs that commit them; the second theirs that permit them.”
What am I recommitting myself to do?
1. Not just read, but STUDY the issues that are destroying the lives and lifestyle of so many. LEARN the difference between TRUTH and MORAL RELATIVISM… the belief that there is no right or wrong.
2. Put myself in situations where I can voice my concerns to others. I need to kick myself right out of my comfort zone and open my mouth…Hopefully in a positive, non-confrontational manner.
3. Write letters to the editor, to legislative representatives, to corporations, to my children, to my friends.
There are so many distractions that keep us from recognizing the issues that matter most. And there is never enough time to do all that we need to do. But I believe that the busier we are, the more we organize and wisely manage our time.
And then let us take courage from Helen Keller’s, “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”