Motivations fascinate me. I like to think about why people do the things that they do. And for the most part, I don't give people the benefit of the doubt. My rationale? People suck ass. I can't help but feel that every action is driven by some ulterior motivation rooted in that person's selfishness. Maybe I have a pessimistic view of humanity, but that's just how I feel...
Of course, people suck ass to different extents. Some have found miraculous ways to be more selfless than the average ass-sucker. To these people, I raise my cup. Others have found ingenious ways to cover up their ulterior motives, and they appear to be selfless. These people are so clever that they fool just about everyone, sometimes fooling even themselves. The last category belongs to people that aren't very good at hiding their designs. Transparency is good, but their ugliness is showing for all to see. I'm not quite sure which is worse... I suppose that putting on a mask is dangerous, but on the other hand, should people be so obvious?
Anyway, I said that people suck ass, but that's pretty much true about myself as well. I suck ass. Lately, I've been realizing more and more that I'm thoroughly screwed up.
One specific thing that I've noticed about myself is that oftentimes, I pit one evil against the other. For example, say I had a choice between stealing (the wrong thing) and not stealing (the right thing). Now, I'm tempted to do the wrong thing, but ultimately, I choose not to steal. However, my motivation for doing the right thing is pride; I tell myself, "I'm too good to be stealing." So in the end, I've evaded stealing, but I've caved in to pride. Did any good come from this at all? People will say that the ends justify the means, but I can't agree to that.
This pattern is prominent in my life. And while I like some of the results, I'm achieving them through some questionable means.
As a final note, I really think we should give people the benefit of the doubt. The only reason I don't do it is because I'm a judgmental and critical hypocrite. (I hate hypocrites...almost as much as I hate arrogant people. Heh heh...) And while what I've said about people may be and is probably true (that they suck ass), we're told to love people regardless.
Of course, people suck ass to different extents. Some have found miraculous ways to be more selfless than the average ass-sucker. To these people, I raise my cup. Others have found ingenious ways to cover up their ulterior motives, and they appear to be selfless. These people are so clever that they fool just about everyone, sometimes fooling even themselves. The last category belongs to people that aren't very good at hiding their designs. Transparency is good, but their ugliness is showing for all to see. I'm not quite sure which is worse... I suppose that putting on a mask is dangerous, but on the other hand, should people be so obvious?
Anyway, I said that people suck ass, but that's pretty much true about myself as well. I suck ass. Lately, I've been realizing more and more that I'm thoroughly screwed up.
One specific thing that I've noticed about myself is that oftentimes, I pit one evil against the other. For example, say I had a choice between stealing (the wrong thing) and not stealing (the right thing). Now, I'm tempted to do the wrong thing, but ultimately, I choose not to steal. However, my motivation for doing the right thing is pride; I tell myself, "I'm too good to be stealing." So in the end, I've evaded stealing, but I've caved in to pride. Did any good come from this at all? People will say that the ends justify the means, but I can't agree to that.
This pattern is prominent in my life. And while I like some of the results, I'm achieving them through some questionable means.
As a final note, I really think we should give people the benefit of the doubt. The only reason I don't do it is because I'm a judgmental and critical hypocrite. (I hate hypocrites...almost as much as I hate arrogant people. Heh heh...) And while what I've said about people may be and is probably true (that they suck ass), we're told to love people regardless.
