“To argue with a man who has renounced the use … of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead….” – Thomas Paine.
Good advice from the man who started a revolution with a pamphlet called “Common Sense.”
What he was saying – wise then, wise now, wise forever – is that there is no point in arguing with people who hold the caring of people in contempt.
It is, in fact, like administering to the dead, and no less futile.
It also wounds the soul and strains the heart.
Judging is God’s work, not mine. People who have contempt for compassion and humanity will face a larger reckoning than my disapproval and anger.
My choice is to never administer to the spiritually dead or to argue with them. My choice is to do what good I can do, and administer to the living. I accept the selfishness of it, it feels so much better than arguing.
Amen! Thanks for the concise but important point!
Jon…
Payne’s advice is sound when taken in the abstract. But in today’s reality, this position must be confronted while it is accompanied by actions that threaten public health. So, in absence of reasoning, other steps must be taken.
I recommend the Hidden Brain podcast ‘Moral Combat’ to better understand how moral certainty is endangering democracy in the U.S.
https://bit.ly/3olxQ2X
I am not sure I agree with this. Maybe arguing isn’t the appropriate way, but something must be done. Starting with setting examples? Change MUST happen!
Change is wonderful. Arguing with people who have no compassion or empathy is pointless.. I’m with Tom Paine..