Winning Words 12/9/09
“Discourse on virtue and they pass you by in droves. Whistle and dance the shimmy and you’ve got yourself an audience.” (Diogenes) I’d like to read his quote in the original Greek. I wonder if they really danced the shimmy in Athens, 2400 years ago. But, evidently it was then, as it is now. People are more interested in being entertained than they are in being enlightened. ;-) Jack

FROM RI IN BOSTON: One of the potentially great modern resources of "enlightenment", television, is overwhelmingly utilized just for "entertainment", and in my judgment most of it is shallow entertainment. Paraphrasing the words of another Man of virtue from 2000 years ago, "we know not what we do." FROM JACK: There are so many areas where eschew enlightenment for amusement.

FROM GOOD DEBT JON: Johnny Carson, in the 70’s said, “People will pay a lot more to be entertained than educated.” Carson was one of the first multimillion dollar TV hosts 1962-1987 FROM JACK: That's more than the typical teacher made at that time.

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: A major problem on TV and in the newspapers/magazines seems to be "discoursing on virtue" but it feels like it is with malicious intent. I'm so sick of hearing about Kwame and how they evidently listen in on all of his conversations with people that, after a while, I don't even like virtue any more--least not the virtue in our society. Maybe, in order to really have discourse about virtue, you simply can't enjoy in any way the falling away from it. You can't mess the message up with whistling and dancing
the shimmy.

FROM CJL IN OHIO: That's true of the Church as well. FROM JACK: Been there; done that!

FROM MO IN ILLINOIS: Interesting quote...Diogenes and the shimmy? Highly unlikely, but the truth remains the same, doesn't it. Sadly, it remains true today! FROM JACK: We used to have a car that would shimmy every so often. It would begin to shake as we drove along, and we'd have to take to a mechanic to have it fixed.

FROM MO IN ILLINOIS: Interesting quote...Diogenes and the shimmy? Highly unlikely, but the truth remains the same, doesn't it. Sadly, it remains true today!

FROM AM IN MICHIGAN: Too bad. Last Saturday we heard a discussion of the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. Lessons from our youth, but good reminders of that which is most important in life. FROM JACK: There are still those who will stop to learn about virtue. Hurrah!