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Topical Latin homework
Apr. 22nd, 2009 09:35 pmMy Vulgate Latin group has been translating Paul's Letter to the Romans. We've gotten to Chapter 3, and verse 8 speaks to the current dispute about the lawfulness and the utility of such activities as waterboarding by the CIA. Former Vice President Cheney has called on President Obama to release some of the documents that list the useful intelligence gained through waterboarding and other physical impairments applied to prisoners. Cheney says it saved lives.
Verse 8 says: And why not say (as some people slander us by saying that we say): "Let us do evil so that good may come?" Their condemnation is deserved!
I'm not normally much of a fan of Paul (his opinions on women, people who had ritual sex in temples, and the headship of men in the family are not my cup of tea). However, I've been saying this all along. When one does an evil act in order to promote a greater good, the act is still evil in and of itself. The end never ever justifies the means. The former Vice President seems not to have paid attention when this verse is read in church.
It is reminiscent of the old joke about Calvin Coolidge. A young socialite was sitting next to President Coolidge at a banquet, and the talk turned to the profession of prostitution. Coolidge asked her, "Would you embrace the profession of prostitution for a fee of $1000?" "Of course not!" replied the young lady. Coolidge proposed higher and higher fees, all payable to the lady's favourite charity. She refused them all, until Coolidge proposed a fee of $1 million. She paused, thought of the widows and orphans that money would help, and said that, yes, she would spend the night with a man who gave $1 million to her favourite charity. Coolidge said, "Well, then, would you do it for $20?" The lady, horrified, said: "No, of course not! What do you think I am?" Coolidge replied immediately: "We've already established that; now we're only haggling over the price."
Verse 8 says: And why not say (as some people slander us by saying that we say): "Let us do evil so that good may come?" Their condemnation is deserved!
I'm not normally much of a fan of Paul (his opinions on women, people who had ritual sex in temples, and the headship of men in the family are not my cup of tea). However, I've been saying this all along. When one does an evil act in order to promote a greater good, the act is still evil in and of itself. The end never ever justifies the means. The former Vice President seems not to have paid attention when this verse is read in church.
It is reminiscent of the old joke about Calvin Coolidge. A young socialite was sitting next to President Coolidge at a banquet, and the talk turned to the profession of prostitution. Coolidge asked her, "Would you embrace the profession of prostitution for a fee of $1000?" "Of course not!" replied the young lady. Coolidge proposed higher and higher fees, all payable to the lady's favourite charity. She refused them all, until Coolidge proposed a fee of $1 million. She paused, thought of the widows and orphans that money would help, and said that, yes, she would spend the night with a man who gave $1 million to her favourite charity. Coolidge said, "Well, then, would you do it for $20?" The lady, horrified, said: "No, of course not! What do you think I am?" Coolidge replied immediately: "We've already established that; now we're only haggling over the price."
