Monday, February 18, 2008

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, author

If you wish to be loved, show more of your faults than your virtues. -Edward Bulwer-Lytton, author (1803-1873)

As a generalization, this is not true. Faults do not make one lovable and virtues do. A vile temper, for example, does not readily draw love from others, while magnanimity does. So what is Bulwer-Lytton thinking of here? I think he has in mind modesty, in the sense of unassuming behavior. If you want to be loved, don't talk about your own virtues, but rather be more forthcoming about your faults. Following Jesus' teaching in Mt 6:1-6 would keep you on the right path.


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