Like begets like
I believe there are such things as natural laws. Aristotle could be said to have discovered the concept, St. Thomas Aquinas to put them in a Christian context. These are rules that apply to everything, define our relationship with the universe/God/The Creator/Gaia, and are self-evident: things are how they are! We can use our knowledge of how these laws work in our personal development, particularly in that most crucial element: our relationships with others.
So, maybe you doubt me? Here are some simple examples of "like begets like": an important natural law. Dogs beget dogs. Chestnut trees beget chestnut trees. Now, in the context of ourselves and our nature, kindness begets kindness, sharing begets more sharing, Hatred begets more hatred.
If you aren't comfortable with this idea, give some thought to the issue. If I hate someone, this all-pervasive attitude will be evident in my direct relations with them, of course. But hatred would also drag down my state of mind. It takes energy to have emotions of any sort! My boiling hatred is exhausting and worthless! Nevertheless, natural law applies. Hatred begets more hatred: children see us hate, and learn to hate in turn. Others note our hate and may hate us for it. The object of our hatred hates us in return, maybe.
Would that the destruction of "like begets like" reach only into our direct relationships! But no: the damage stretches well beyond our little world. Hatred begets hatred through the lives of those we meet. It influences the decisions of others in a negative way. Hatred begets hatred.
"Like begets like" is of course a route to a more positive way of thinking. Kindness begets kindness, afterall. Positivity in your thoughts and actions will cause the same in others. Why not try to use "like begets like" in analysing people's reactions to you? Why not use it to further your relationships with others? Honesty begets honesty: you will never be punished for telling the truth, because that humility you display will be returned to you in the future. Trust begets trust: to win the trust of another, you must trust them. Love begets love: who could expect love from someone when no love is given?
So, maybe you doubt me? Here are some simple examples of "like begets like": an important natural law. Dogs beget dogs. Chestnut trees beget chestnut trees. Now, in the context of ourselves and our nature, kindness begets kindness, sharing begets more sharing, Hatred begets more hatred.
If you aren't comfortable with this idea, give some thought to the issue. If I hate someone, this all-pervasive attitude will be evident in my direct relations with them, of course. But hatred would also drag down my state of mind. It takes energy to have emotions of any sort! My boiling hatred is exhausting and worthless! Nevertheless, natural law applies. Hatred begets more hatred: children see us hate, and learn to hate in turn. Others note our hate and may hate us for it. The object of our hatred hates us in return, maybe.
Would that the destruction of "like begets like" reach only into our direct relationships! But no: the damage stretches well beyond our little world. Hatred begets hatred through the lives of those we meet. It influences the decisions of others in a negative way. Hatred begets hatred.
"Like begets like" is of course a route to a more positive way of thinking. Kindness begets kindness, afterall. Positivity in your thoughts and actions will cause the same in others. Why not try to use "like begets like" in analysing people's reactions to you? Why not use it to further your relationships with others? Honesty begets honesty: you will never be punished for telling the truth, because that humility you display will be returned to you in the future. Trust begets trust: to win the trust of another, you must trust them. Love begets love: who could expect love from someone when no love is given?
Monday, January 21. 2008 at 22:13 (Reply)
It is really fantastic that someone actually thinks in this fashion. I had a big discussion about the idea of truth breeding hatred and yeah, your blog can an entirely different perspective from both our ideas