What Comes First, Me Or Others?
“Some say that thinking of others, caring for others first would make us happy,” said Boy to si Upik.
“If a mother risks her life for her child, a man for his family, his country, … , did they not dedicate it to others first?” she said.
“Certainly not. They did it for their own sake, interests first. It makes them happy, though they sacrifice their lives. It has nothing to do with selfishness or being an egoist.”
“Do you want a man who marries you for your sake, your good?”
“No.” said si Upik. “For, then he doesn’t love me, except it was for his own sake.”
“So, you can’t ever love anyone, anything, your father, mother, child, your country, … for his/her/its sake.” said Boy. “I remember the choir conductor saying to his members: ‘Don’t sing, exercise for my sake, for the church’s sake, for God’s sake. Just big, empty talk. Do it for your own sake if you ever care to love yourself, lest you would be a hypocrite, a Pharisee.’”
October 2008
“Some say that thinking of others, caring for others first would make us happy,” said Boy to si Upik.
“If a mother risks her life for her child, a man for his family, his country, … , did they not dedicate it to others first?” she said.
“Certainly not. They did it for their own sake, interests first. It makes them happy, though they sacrifice their lives. It has nothing to do with selfishness or being an egoist.”
“Do you want a man who marries you for your sake, your good?”
“No.” said si Upik. “For, then he doesn’t love me, except it was for his own sake.”
“So, you can’t ever love anyone, anything, your father, mother, child, your country, … for his/her/its sake.” said Boy. “I remember the choir conductor saying to his members: ‘Don’t sing, exercise for my sake, for the church’s sake, for God’s sake. Just big, empty talk. Do it for your own sake if you ever care to love yourself, lest you would be a hypocrite, a Pharisee.’”
October 2008
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