When men are about to commit, or sanction the commission of some injustice, it is not uncommon for them to express pity for the object either of that or some parallel proceeding, and to feel themselves, at the time, quite virtuous and moral, and immensely superior to those who express no pity at all. This is a kind of upholding of faith above works, and is very comfortable. — Nicholas Nickleby

My Take – Some of the worst things that have happened in my life were done for my own good, or at least that’s what the busybody who did them thought.  Those who believe in the perfectability of man usually have the best of intentions, at least at first.  They just want to uplift the oppressed, or avenge the wronged, or whatever.  Problem is, they almost always fall short of their promises, even to themselves, and their reaction tends to be rather emotional.  On a personal level, they just become annoying and piquish.  On a national scale, they become the Inquisition, or the NKVD, or the ONDCP.  If we were just left alone to fend for ourselves, to live the lives we want, a lot of the issues in the world wouldn’t have occurred in the first place.

“The labour is so pleasant,”said Agnes,”that it is scarcely grateful in me to call it by that name.” — David Copperfield

My Take – Work I enjoy, no matter how difficult or seemingly unpleasant, always seems to go by quickly.  Mary Poppins was onto something with that whole “spoon ful of sugar” idea.  If I like what I’m doing, I do more work and I do it better.  The best trick is to find a hobby that you love and that others will pay you to do.

“Business!” cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!” – A Christmas Carol

My Take – Irish Woman and I believe that we are blessed to have more than we need, and we feel that that blessing comes with a responsibility to help out those who cannot provide for themselves.  It’s an obligation of honor, not a compulsion.  We are under no obligation to help those who will not provide for themselves, just those who truly cannot.  I think that’s a distinction we need to make:  Those who truly need our help should get everything we can give them.  Those who can provide for themselves, but refuse to do so, deserve nothing but scorn.