Redefining misanthropy for a fresh generation. Standard posts begin with a definition from Ambrose Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary followed by a modern adjustment. Miscellany on Wednesday and storytelling on Saturday.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Kindness
Kindness, n. A brief preface to ten volumes of exaction.
2005 Update: The inspiration for a troubled conscience.
Thanks, friends, for the big blog birthday bash. Which of you put laundry soap in the pond?
Doug, You are going to have a tough time putting this one over, particularly after the weekend's saccharin display of warmth towards you and by you. "Titrating my own cynicism?" What a sham.
I think it was Kant who said that we all are selfish at heart and any act of kindness is really done to reward our inner self, from which we derive pleasure. Regradless, I enjoy kindness and if I am happy, I pretty much don´t mind if the giver of kindness is happy as well. It is actually quite great. What I am not happy about: I had the chance to be first on your comment section today and while I was thinking of a definition, semisweet interfered ;)
Kindness,n., An attitude. A manifestation of love. An underrated and underused philosophy of life. Mark Twain said that it is a "language the deaf can hear, the blind can see, and the mute can speak."
So, the soap in the pond was a bad thing? Huh! Well, in that case, not me.
What about the gasoline in the toilet? Good? Bad? Of course, that wasn't me neither. I didn't do nothin'.
kindness-acts of good will with only the teensiest expectation for something in return. I didn't do the laundry soap, but I may have thrown up in the sink. :)
Doug...smeisweet is Luke Sleepwalker and I am Han Solar absence! We both were playing with their names. I know his name is Han Solo...watched Star Wars a couple of times ;)
Kindness begins at home: 1. Letting Mall Diva wear a really short mini-skirt to impress the Russian violinist phenom she has a huge crush on. 2. Not brushing Toyplayer's hair, even though it needs it. 3. Watching football with Dr. Weirsdo instead of blogging. Gotta go now.
kindness is sadly underrated in the name of a lot of unimportant things. this world would be a so much better place if people tried to be a just a little kinder to each other.
Doug,
ReplyDeleteYou are going to have a tough time putting this one over, particularly after the weekend's saccharin display of warmth towards you and by you. "Titrating my own cynicism?" What a sham.
Kindness, n: To not call a big ol' bluff.
kindness,n: a lie against nature´s instincts
ReplyDeleteI think it was Kant who said that we all are selfish at heart and any act of kindness is really done to reward our inner self, from which we derive pleasure.
Regradless, I enjoy kindness and if I am happy, I pretty much don´t mind if the giver of kindness is happy as well. It is actually quite great.
What I am not happy about: I had the chance to be first on your comment section today and while I was thinking of a definition, semisweet interfered ;)
So I have decided to just comment twice, for no apparent reason but as an act of kindness towards me :)
ReplyDeleteSorry, Monika. Doug is teaching me how to go without sleep. He is the Yoda of insomniacs, and I am Luke Sleepwalker.
ReplyDeletedon't know about the laundry soap, but i'm the one who iced your birthday cake with shaving cream. was that the unkindest cut of all?
ReplyDeleteS, sometimes the concentration's a little higher than others.
ReplyDeleteMonika, don't you mind that candymaking clown, I sez you're first. Kant? I should have got more sleep.
Karma, I swear, you're Durga made flesh (again.)
Kindness,n., An attitude. A manifestation of love. An underrated and underused philosophy of life. Mark Twain said that it is a "language the deaf can hear, the blind can see, and the mute can speak."
ReplyDeleteSo, the soap in the pond was a bad thing? Huh! Well, in that case, not me.
What about the gasoline in the toilet? Good? Bad? Of course, that wasn't me neither. I didn't do nothin'.
I think that kindness is a way underrated virtue but one that seems to have be masked in cynicism or sarcasm to be approved
ReplyDeleteSemisweet can I be Han Solar abscence? I mean it is pretty hard to tell if it is day or night anyway where I am!
ReplyDeleteI meant to write absence!!!
ReplyDeleteTLP, the gasoline in the toilet turned out to be a kindness.
ReplyDeleteOh, Pia, you're testing me. *stiffly* Thank you and I agree with you as usual.
Monika, did you also mean Han Solo?
Recipe For Kindness
ReplyDelete1 part benevolence
1 part thoughfulness
Best served warm and unsolicted with a healthy dash of sweetness.
Btw, TLP...
ReplyDeletethat Mark Twain.
It's hard to be amusingly cynical about kindness yes?
ReplyDeleteKindness:
Easier to define than what is true and but more likely to increase you good karma points.
Or one who allows another to call herself a celebrity guest poster without rolling his eyes.
Sar, if you add a dash of bitter chocolate you can make one of semisweet's marshmallows, too.
ReplyDeleteAlice, I call you that myself in perfect sincerity. Especially since surprise guest poster is out. ;-)
I'll be Princess Leia if I can eat the cinammon buns instead of wearing them.
ReplyDeleteTrue kindness is an endangered species.
ReplyDeletekindness-acts of good will with only the teensiest expectation for something in return.
ReplyDeleteI didn't do the laundry soap, but I may have thrown up in the sink. :)
Sure, Dddragon, and you can keep them warm in your hair.
ReplyDeleteJamie Dawn, is the converse true?
And no obligation, Masil, for holding your hair.
a formal art of caring or pretending to care.
ReplyDeleteKindness. The offering of a hand despite the risk of bite, infection, and lack of appreciation.
ReplyDeleteToo often coupled with
self-interest,
or foolishness.
wv- eplvsatz
eratz elves?
that sounds like pancakes, Sar. now where are mine? humph!
ReplyDeleteLisa also threw up on your carpet, D. but don't tell her i squealed
Sree, whether pretending to care is a kindness or not is one of the great debates through history. Of course, for some there's no alternative.
ReplyDeleteAriella, I really like how that's written. The word "infection" kind of tickled me, too.
MASIL!!! Again?!?!?!?
Doug...smeisweet is Luke Sleepwalker and I am Han Solar absence! We both were playing with their names. I know his name is Han Solo...watched Star Wars a couple of times ;)
ReplyDeleteA pat on the head to a dog that wants to bite you
ReplyDeleteKindness: Monika leaving five comments to feed Doug's blogoholism. :)
ReplyDeleteMonika, apologies. It just took me all day.
ReplyDeleteActonbell, the first one is brilliant and the third one beautiful, witty and if I'm not mistaken an Actonbell original, no?
Icy, I like the link between kindness and foolishness. Why do you want to bite me?
Well done, a4g. That's the kind of jaundice I need to get back.
Fred, that's really funny.
Kindness begins at home: 1. Letting Mall Diva wear a really short mini-skirt to impress the Russian violinist phenom she has a huge crush on. 2. Not brushing Toyplayer's hair, even though it needs it. 3. Watching football with Dr. Weirsdo instead of blogging.
ReplyDeleteGotta go now.
Kindness Looking at Doug's blog at 6 AM, but not complaining that there is no post yet.
ReplyDeleteWhat? You sleep sometimes? That was not a complaint. Just askin'.
Weirsdo, I think you mean Enable, v. t.
ReplyDeleteTLP, expecting your clown to perform before 3AM local time is not kind! Sweet, but not kind.
Thank you, Actonbell, for a beautiful turn of phrase and defending a poor harlequin.
Yes, unfortunately, the converse is true.
ReplyDeletekindness is sadly underrated in the name of a lot of unimportant things. this world would be a so much better place if people tried to be a just a little kinder to each other.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder they're endangered, Jamie Dawn.
ReplyDeleteNice, Ariel. You do you're share.
I don't know about the pool, but I put the jello mix in the goldfish bowl. Sorry to be a beast of bourbon at your blogbash...
ReplyDelete)+(
Gabriel, do you think I didn't figure out the goldfish bowl?
ReplyDelete