"But how shall we educate men to goodness, to a sense of one another, to a love of truth? And more urgently, how shall we do this in a bad time?"
by:
Daniel Joseph Berrigan
(1921-2016)American Jesuit priest, anti-war activist, Christian pacifist, playwright, poet, author
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Reader comments about this quote:
That's easy -- Just take away a man's liberty and freedom of choice, while forcing and compelling him to give and be a good citizen... Regardless of if he wants, or doesn't want, to be accountable for himself, make him an enslaved tool of the state to which he must look for all his protection, sustenance, and religion (goodness and truth). So far, it seems to be working for the government, doesn't it?
 -- Logan, Memphis, TN     
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    Unfortunately bad times only exacerbate the situation - the only way is through education and freedom - our history has shown us that butchery doesn't work - it's time to think out of the Tank. My own opinion would be to make classical literature mandatory in all schools - why reinvent the wheel? It's too late for us "gown-ups" but with our children we may stand a chance, though a slim one, of avoiding total self-destruction within the next fifty years.
     -- Robert, Sarasota     
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    Our children are being indoctrinated by the government. They do NOT have even a slim chance to avoid the self-destruction of our country. In 50 years, it will be the United States of NORTH America. This is why our government keeps calling the U.S. a democracy. They will say, "but the majority" want this, even though it is unconstitutional.
     -- Joe, Rochester, MI     
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    And the above comments show how dire the problem is... that such fear exists of change and growth... that there is an apparent belief that the "United States of NORTH America" is inherently an evil and unconstitutional when the reality is that it is neither. How do we educate those who revel in their lack there of...
     -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US     
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    Robert believes in the fallacy of the noble savage. If only we could "educate" the children before they are corrupted, then all would be well in the world. The fact is that human beings are naturally thieving, murderous creatures, who want to control the lives of their fellows. Just let someone cut you off in traffic during rush hour, look in the rear view mirror, and you'll see human nature. Anonymous believes that ever larger government will lead to perfection. Ever larger government is simply a larger collection of flawed thieving, murderous, human beings. The only difference between small nations and one large superstate is that there a fewer places to run when they come for you.
     -- Ken, Allyn, WA     
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    Ken is right. That is why it all comes back to the Golden Rule and the honor of the individual for maintaining Liberty. If the individual does not know and/or will not defend his rights, he does not have them -- and he becomes unwittingly an enemy of his fellows, too. As long as human beings act like domesticated animals, they will be treated like chattel. It is not up to the State to educate the people about freedom and their rights -- it ain't going to happen! Only those free thinking 'radicals' will have a chance as they take responsibility for their own learning. Seekers of truth are not made by government schools -- in fact they are usually the ones being sent to detention or put on psycho-active drugs. But eventually it all depends on how you respond to someone attempting to cheat you out of your rights. Some would rather be imprisoned than act in collusion with tyranny -- such a price has been paid by many men and women throughout history. If you are not willing to pay the same price, then we all lose. And that is the common denominator of the masses -- obedience in exchange for so-called 'safety'. It isn't long that the slaves demand that all be treated as slaves. 'All pigs are equal - except some pigs are more equal than others.' (Animal Farm)
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    A weak statement coming from a jesuit, of which they claim to be the most learned. Found in opposition with our founding fathers who held them in great disdain for their misleading tactics of confusion and emotional content. "How" is done One Word at A time. Well Defined Liberty and Freedom brings about the greatest degree of refinement in understanding. Enlightening Indeed. 
    WWG1WGA MAGA to KAG
     -- Ronw13, OR     
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    Educating goodness begins in the home (how? — by example as a start). Because "goodness" is such an arbitrary concept, that is one of the reasons why the occupying statist theocracy infesting this land is so successful at its anti-family / pro-immorality enforcement of Stockholm Syndrome techniques in their seminaries (government schools). When "goodness" is inherently expressed as a principle of the laws of nature and of nature's god, justice, love, charity, truth, knowledge — especially in bad times, better times will appear shortly.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    lt would be of great assistance to determine what a man or woman actually entails to ensure the effectiveness of the education. Socialism is the challenge of social abilities to create the man and woman.
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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    12-16 years of education in public education system where a child is in school 6 hrs a day, then 2 or 3 hrs in after care (often at the school) without constant parenting by a mom and dad and then coming home to dinner and bed leaves little time for goodness training. Also,few 2 parent homes. Once the gov. realized 2 taxpayers in a family meant more revenue it became necessary to convince women that they were totally unfulfilled being 'just a mom'...the rest is history. The hand that rocks the cradle...

     -- Abby     
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