Living for others is what the others say. “Ask what you can do for your country.” (JFK) “We are our brothers’ keeper, we are our sisters’ keeper.” (Obama)
The American Declaration of Independence wasn’t just for independence from a meddlesome colonial power, it was a declaration of independence from all the ancient moralities that said you had to live for your clan, or tribe, or God, or King, or race, or class – for anyone but yourself. To clarify the truth of the Declaration, it’s YOUR life, YOUR liberty, and the pursuit of YOUR happiness. All you owe others is to leave them alone to pursue theirs.
And yes, Joe, it IS selfish. Proudly so. But then you likely believe pride to be a sin and humility a virtue like the good Christian you are.
Living for others is what the others say. “Ask what you can do for your country.” (JFK) “We are our brothers’ keeper, we are our sisters’ keeper.” (Obama)
The American Declaration of Independence wasn’t just for independence from a meddlesome colonial power, it was a declaration of independence from all the ancient moralities that said you had to live for your clan, or tribe, or God, or King, or race, or class – for anyone but yourself. To clarify the truth of the Declaration, it’s YOUR life, YOUR liberty, and the pursuit of YOUR happiness. All you owe others is to leave them alone to pursue theirs.
And yes, Joe, it IS selfish. Proudly so. But then you likely believe pride to be a sin and humility a virtue like the good Christian you are.