last night, i was watching this movie, Blood Diamond. fantastic movie that, but i'll talk about it some other day. (though i might or might not.) this is perhaps my favorite scene from the movie.
Danny Archer (played fabulously by Leonardo DiCaprio) has taken refuge at a local chief, Benjamin's estate who runs a shelter for war victim children and adults. there is blood and carnage all around this oasis of peace and Danny and his companions have literally escaped death a few hours ago. Danny is actually a diamond smuggler who has got entry after lying that he is a journalist.
the little dialogue between these two opposite characters is fantastic as a critique of the human nature.
Danny Archer(talking about the rebel soldiers): So you think because your intentions are good, they'll spare you, huh?
Benjamin Kapanay: My heart always told me that people are inherently good. My experience suggests otherwise. But what about you, Mr. Archer? In your long career as a journalist, would you say that people are mostly good?
Danny Archer: No. I'd say they're just people.
Benjamin Kapanay: Exactly. It is what they do that makes them good or bad. A moment of love, even in a bad man, can give meaning to a life. None of us knows whose path will lead us to God.
think about it. i kept thinking about it. and i realized one thing about me. i've never been able to completely hate a person, even if s/he has done some real harm to me. i've always found some bit of good in them, not that i want to further test my patience! dear God, please don't test me anymore :)
and that is why, i want to ask you, do you, would you also believe that there are no good people or bad people, that there are only good deeds and bad deeds? should we define/brand people as good or bad, or is it about being generally good and generally bad? maybe nobody is completely good or bad, OR maybe there are a few pure souls and a few gone beyond redemption, who knows... maybe we are just supposed to forgive and forget and move on OR maybe we are supposed to fight and seek revenge... who knows?
whatever be the answer(s), what i do agree with is this, "A moment of love, even in a bad man, can give meaning to a life." actually, it gives meaning to all of humanity. do you also think so?
4 comments:
its a good thought that u have brought out.. man isn't inherently evil.. its the circumstances that drive anyone to nihilistic extends..
what ive always thought on this is : every person is good... its juss the way they react to different situations and a difference of views of various people.. that make them good or bad .. being good or bad is the perception of a situation.. i guess!! :)
I agree with this " there are just good and bad deeds, not good or bad people"
It seems human nature to want to define everything, name everything black or white. Aristotle named everything in the universe that he could find.
But the soul is more complex than that. Part of being human is the malleability of the soul. Until it is "set" plaster is mashable, can be reshaped. People who are "human" are like un-set plaster. Life happens and it changes the shape and form of the plaster.
My feeling (because I do believe in good and evil, or darkness and light) is this. What direction are we moving? Are we moving toward the light or away from it?
The good within us strives toward the good, but we do not always have the wisdom to understand...
Much more could be said... but alas.
e.
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