Q: Am I being deceived by my actions ?
A: We can easily convince ourselves that we are something we aren’t.
While reading George Bernard Shaw’s Man and Superman, I was struck by this monologue in which a main character insults the devil’s friends:
“Your friends are all the dullest dogs I know. They are not beautiful: they are only decorated. They are not clean: they are only shaved and starched. They are not dignified: they are only fashionably dressed. They are not educated: they are only college passmen. They are not religious: they are only pewrenters. They are not moral: they are only conventional. They are not virtuous: they are only cowardly. They are not even vicious: they are only “frail.” They are not artistic: they are only lascivious. They are not prosperous: they are only rich. They are not loyal, they are only servile; not dutiful, only sheepish; not public spirited, only patriotic; not courageous, only quarrelsome; not determined, only obstinate; not masterful, only domineering; not self-controlled, only obtuse; not self-respecting, only vain; not kind, only sentimental; not social, only gregarious; not considerate, only polite; not intelligent, only opinionated; not progressive, only factious; not imaginative, only superstitious; not just, only vindictive; not generous, only propitiatory; not disciplined, only cowed; and not truthful at all: liars every one of them, to the very backbone of their souls.”
It’s easy to attend church and assume you’re religious, or have strong opinions and assume you’re intelligent. But if you drill a little deeper you might realize you’re just opinionated or just a “pew renter” (the act was common in the 1800’s in England where people would pay for seats at church, but it wasn’t necessarily a reflection of the condition of their soul; only their pocketbook).
Actionable Question: Where do I look good on the outside, but in actuality I’m less than that?
Have a great week,
Andrew Nemeth