To do right vs. to do good

JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
edited January 2013 in A Moving Train
I came across this and thought it might start an interesting discussion. (We'll see about that, I suppose...)

A rich man walks down the street and drop a 20 dollar bill. You know he will not even notice it is gone. On the side of the street sits a beggar who looks really hungry. The good thing is to give the money to the beggar, the right thing is to give it back to the man who dropped it.

The question is, which is more important, to do right or to do good ?
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • IrishGuyIrishGuy Posts: 258
    Where does the option of keeping the money for yourself fit into it? Just being bad, eh?
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    But - that example aside (not sure what I'd do, off the top of my head) - isn't doing right doing good, and vice versa? I mean, we apply our own parameters to each.

    I guess that given this particular situation...I'd return the money back to its rightful owner and give some of my own to the one who needs it.
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    IrishGuy wrote:
    Where does the option of keeping the money for yourself fit into it? Just being bad, eh?
    Ha. That one didn't even occur to me.
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    IrishGuy wrote:
    Where does the option of keeping the money for yourself fit into it? Just being bad, eh?

    I thought of this. I actually think the bigger question should be this: How many people would either ignore the money altogether or even keep it?
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    hedonist wrote:
    I guess that given this particular situation...I'd return the money back to its rightful owner and give some of my own to the one who needs it.

    I like this. :thumbup:
  • The rich guy stole it from you anyway.
  • Jeanwah wrote:
    IrishGuy wrote:
    Where does the option of keeping the money for yourself fit into it? Just being bad, eh?

    I thought of this. I actually think the bigger question should be this: How many people would either ignore the money altogether or even keep it?

    You know what? I rarely give cash to homeless people- I don't know where they are going to spend it.

    But... I have on numerous occasions purchased coffees and take-out when the opportunity has presented itself.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    The rich guy stole it from you anyway.
    It's possible that person earned it.

    I know!

    Thirty Bills...I've given food as well. As far as cash goes...I'm cool if they want to spend it on brew or some smokes (my guy gives me shit for this).
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,717
    hedonist wrote:
    The rich guy stole it from you anyway.
    It's possible that person earned it.

    I know!

    Thirty Bills...I've given food as well. As far as cash goes...I'm cool if they want to spend it on brew or some smokes (my guy gives me shit for this).
    funny that. Once you give something away , you really have no rightful say in whats done with it.

    It would be nice though if they were honest in th easking.

    Once saw a guy at an exit ramp in Tampa. " I need a beer and thats the truth" was written on his sign. He got $5 from me.
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • donnaruhldonnaruhl Posts: 2,157
    This is my way of thinking, May be a bit crazy but,
    Just because the guy look's rich, doesn't mean he is.
    He could be up to his ear's in debt,
    and one paycheck away from the person across the street.
    I would give the money back to him,
    and reach into my own pocket,for the man across the street.
    I've given the homeless my last dollar before,
    Only because I knew it wasn't gonna buy me anything.
    And it could help them in their time of need.
  • Option C; I'd simply point out to the beggar that some rich guy dropped a $20 and let him decide what to do. Obviously life has been harder to the beggar than it has been to me so I'll leave the ball in his court on this one.
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