ext_50177 ([identity profile] fpb.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] fpb 2006-04-05 06:00 am (UTC)

I heard this quote differently a few decades ago.
Yep. But I cannot be sure that, if I ever found it on fire, I would happen to have a full bladder. 8-)

Seriously, that was a nasty thing to say. But that country, or rather its ruling classes, has been making me sick for years. Euthanasia and forced abortion are common. To me, the very essence of democracy and Christianity both is that the people, individually and collectively, are not a mean but an end. And not even Christianity only. Confucius once visited a great city. His disciples asked him what should be done for it, now that it had grown so large. "Enrich its inhabitants," the sage answered. "And after that?" "Educate them." The inhabitants are the purpose. "To be happy at home is the end of all human endeavour" (Samuel Johnson).

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