Too moral?
Principles
Henry David Thoreau, US Transcendentalist author (1817 - 1862):
Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something.
With other words, be of service, be effective, set an example, get noticed, get results, be successfull, and don't be afraid of being subversive. Because what is seen as fair and moral may conceil what is true and possible. A life within the limits of what is safely seen as fair and moral — and normal, is not worth living.
What is above morality? How do I know if I am aiming above or below morality?
To not cheat yourself out of life implies that succumbing to pleasures of life is the better way to go. Be free wielding. Fuck around. You can always apologize later.
Is it ok to be subversive, to be good for that special something, and to disrespect everything else? What is too moral? Can it be bad to strive to be good? Can it be bad to obey to culturally inherited principles? Whatever you do, it might always be perceived as disrespectful by someone else. Basically, you can commit any crime you want, because you can always apologize later. Should I care less about how things are done, and more about getting things done? Do the ends justify the means, any means? Because i may always apologize later? Isn't it possible to be good for something without breaking moral grounds? On which side would i rather err: being better than evil, or being less than good?
If aiming above morality leads to breaking wrong beliefs, it serves a greater good. If it serves to set an example, to keep the debate alive about where the limits of acceptable behavior are, it is also useful.
Thoreau's words imply that a truly good life demands to be recognizable for the service you do, rather than for the principles you rely on. This view justifies any action — any action that can lead to either victory or failiure. This view therefore also justifies a preemptive war, or a war to liberate a society from tyranny.
I don't know if his advice is useful. I think we cannot rely on others to set good examples. Being good is not a natural state. It is not easy to be simply good. It is an achievement that can be sustained only if there are enough living examples today. The future depends on trust that is created today. The sure way to harm our future is to care less about how things are done, and more about asserting your position, by all means.
Published: March 22, 2008
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