Anthony said:
I'm not slamming you in particular for this? No? Then how come you are directly the comment towards me, and not making a general post or starting a separate discussion/thread?
In other words, whilst I find it convenient to
address these comments to you (I don't want to start a new thread on this
, and this is an appropriate juncture to make such a comment), I am not suggesting you are the only person guilty on this forum or in the big wide world (or by any means the most guilty). My comments were
particular in so far as they attached themselves to an example you afforded us, and
non-particular in so far as I made it clear I was speaking to a wider audience. Of course, we can quarrel about words till kingdom come
. Words convey thoughts, and perhaps I did not choose the best words.
When we have to be critical (and you will notice, Anthony, that I too have made several critical posts on this forum), I think we should be careful how we go about it, that's all. Christ says "let your yes be yes and your no, no". I think it is best to avoid guile in our speech. Of course, there is difference between snide insinuations and a wisely worded admonition which, whilst it avoids addressing its object
directly, makes its point nevertheless. The critical difference, however, is what the wise man is trying to achieve. If he is making his point in such a way as to circumvent a blinding emotional response that would lose him his audience, he does well. Clearly his intention is to impart wisdom, not to give vent to his feelings. Likewise, I think it is sometimes reasonable to speak generally about a particular vice, in the presence of other people, whilst inwardly hoping that someone in
particular will benefit from the discussion, rather than tackle that person directly for his error. It depends how its done. It depends on our motives.
"The words of the wise make knowledge acceptable".
---
Of course, it's up to you and others who read my earlier post what you do with it. I find that usually the most critical of others are the least critical of themselves. 'If I could swallow the medicine it would cure my sickness, but my sickness prevents me from swallowing.' This sort of person generally responds to criticism of himself with a knee-jerk counter-criticism! It may not even enter into his head to consider whether what the other person has said may be true and justified. I imagine that is the way most people would feel about my post. Whether I would do any better in receiving such criticism, I do not know. I hope so. And I hope you will give the matter some thought, Anthony, even if the others to whom it applies more directly are actually unable to do so...
God bless,
Theophilus7
