Edmond Burke quote

[kateyes]

A few things have popped up lately that reminded me of a quote I wrote down several years ago. It is attibuted to Edmond Burke.

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif]quote:[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif]The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. [/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif]It seems to me today--that many of us are "minding our own business", or saying its not "my problem", or don't have the time, go with the flow, or are afraid to get involved. Does that mean we (assuming we are good) are letting evil triumph? Does that mean we deserve whatever we get?
[/FONT]

 

[Radio Frequency X]

Government has taken responsibility for good and evil. Individuals are no longer responsible for such mundane things. or so it would seem.

 

[kateyes]

But aren't we responsible for our governments?

 

[Radio Frequency X]

But aren't we responsible for our governments?

not really. Our governments tend to take responsibility for us. I'm not saying that this is how it should be, just how it is. But with government making so many of our decisions, people become apathetic. People would care more if they had to be more involved. My grandfather tells me stories about what it was like growing up and I love those stories. Communities full of families caring for and taking responsibility for one another. Now, everyone just watches their own back and lets the government sort out the rest.

 

[Doc]

The problem with that statement, is that everyone for the most part assumes that they are the good guys. Terrorists, finatics in governments, among others. We live in a time where individuals in every day society don't exactly have to go defend the world from bad guys as was perceived more widely in the Middle-Ages and during the World Wars.

I think the statement is slightly dualistic asuming we are the holders of the beacon of goodness and anyone who challenges that is evil.

 

[kateyes]

Well it was written in the 1700's. Of course we would each assume we are the Good guys. I think the point is more a matter of apathy--regardless of what you perceive to be the evil--if you sick back and think let someone else take care of it--nothing is going to be done. I post on another forum as well as this one--there is alot of discussion about the US becoming a theocracy--but the way to prevent that is to take an active role in your community and national politics. I disagree with Radio Frequency X--We elect our government in the US--if we don't like the way the government is going we have the power to change that. To me that means we are responsible for our Government-not the other way around.

 

[michel]

A few things have popped up lately that reminded me of a quote I wrote down several years ago. It is attibuted to Edmond Burke.

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif]quote:[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif]The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. [/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif]It seems to me today--that many of us are "minding our own business", or saying its not "my problem", or don't have the time, go with the flow, or are afraid to get involved. Does that mean we (assuming we are good) are letting evil triumph? Does that mean we deserve whatever we get?
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I think so. I have even noticed that witnesses to a car accident (for sake of example) are mostly reluctant to give their names and addresses, for fear of being 'involved'.

 

[kateyes]

===Bump===

 

[Engyo]

One of my favorite quotes is from Audrey Lourdes:

"Your silence will not protect you."

Reminiscent of the old saw about "They came for the Jews, and I did not speak up because I'm not Jewish" etc.

 

[Pariah]

One of my favorite quotes is from Audrey Lourdes:

"Your silence will not protect you."

Reminiscent of the old saw about "They came for the Jews, and I did not speak up because I'm not Jewish" etc.

They came first for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak up.


A very powerful poem, but completely unnecessary.

 

[Ever learning]

I like that quote and I agree. If we stay inactive, things will only get worse. Lot´s of people will not say or do anything either out of fear or simply because they dont care.This applies of course to lots of different situations in life.

 

[doppelganger]

It's not true, however. Evil doesn't triumph unless someone does "evil." And very, very rarely are the things judged "evil" considered "evil" by the ones doing them. :no:

So the only things needed for the triumph of evil are for men to call for evil deeds and justify it as "good", and for others to give up their reason and follow. :yes:

 

[Sunstone]

"Good" is often done by small groups of people. Consider the American Constitution. It was created by a tiny minority of the early American population, and it faced significant opposition from the buffoons of the time.

 

[doppelganger]

"Good" is often done by small groups of people. Consider the American Constitution. It was created by a tiny minority of the early American population, and it faced significant opposition from the buffoons of the time.

And what's truly "good" about the Constitution is that its authors understood how "evil" people in power inevitably become and sought to diffuse that power.

 

[Sunstone]

And what's truly "good" about the Constitution is that its authors understood how "evil" people in power inevitably become and sought to diffuse that power.

Very true.

 

[kateyes]

......................................
Then they came for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak up.


A very powerful poem, but completely unnecessary.

First as poetry is considered an art form--I don't think necessity is the issue, but out of curiosity what do you mean by "completely unnecessary?

 

[Pariah]

First as poetry is considered an art for--I don't thing necessity is the issue, but out of curiosity what do you mean by "completely unnecessary?

I do not feel that Germans should feel guilt over the Nazi regime. Many of them were not fervent anti-Semites or staunch supporters of the National Socialism, but for them to feel blame for not doing anything is silly - first, you think of yourself and your family, then you worry about fighting fascists.

 

[Engyo]

Pariah -

I think the point is to learn the lessons of history, rather than ignoring them. I don't read it as an atttack on the German people themselves, per se. Especially not 60+ years later. It's an admonishment to us not to let the same things happen again.

 

[Pariah]

Pariah -

I think the point is to learn the lessons of history, rather than ignoring them. I don't read it as an atttack on the German people themselves, per se. Especially not 60+ years later. It's an admonishment to us not to let the same things happen again.

My point was no doubt, off topic, and your point is well taken.

 

[Diogenes]

Hitler was asked by one of his corporals (I believe) if he thought that he would get away with his plans for the Jews. Hitler turned to him and said, "Does anyone remember the Armenians?" and then walked away.