Be Sure You Are Doing Good

"You are much surer that you are doing good when you pay money to those who work, as a recompense of their labor, than when you give money merely in charity."

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

We know that the word "charity" is used generically these days to mean "benevolence."  The true meaning of charity is Godlike love.  Benevolence is when we give of ourselves to others, either in time, talents or money.  This is what Mr. Johnson means when he uses the word charity.

So, providing someone a job is more loving, and one is more sure of its outcome, than merely giving freely of ourselves to others?

What does he mean by that?

When someone begins a company it's beginnings are usually very small.  The grand risk, and grand desire, is to reap enough profit (meaning that others approve of what you are doing and compensate you above your costs for your efforts) that you

1.  stay in business and
2.  grow the business.

As the business grows others are employed!  You provide jobs.

Mr. Johnson was a respected lexicographer.  He created the first reliable dictionary of the English language in 1755.  It was so respected that today it is still considered to be the "first" English dictionary, but it was not.  Saying that it was the first reliable, and well distributed, dictionary is more accurate.  Mr. Webster did not come out with his "Compendious" dictionary until 1806.

So to Samuel Johnson, words meant things.  When he used the word "sure," he meant it.  When he used the word "good," he meant it.

He is suggesting the truth of the old saying:  When we give a man a fish we feed him for the moment, but when we teach a man to fish we feed him for a lifetime.

When someone is feeding himself for a lifetime there is so much good produced! 

The satisfaction of working, and productivity, and enjoyment in one's pursuits, cannot be overestimated!  

That is GOOD!

The self esteem returns to oneself through growth, and development, and learning and increasing abilities cannot be overestimated!  

That is GOOD!

Earning a living, providing for oneself and family, and even employing others to work with us cannot be overestimated!  

That is GOOD!

THIS IS ALL THE NATURAL COURSE OF LIFE!  THIS IS WHY WE GO TO SCHOOL, LEARN FROM EXPERIENCES AND FIND OUR PATH.  ALL THE OLD STORIES REFER TO IT AS "SEEKING ONE'S FORTUNE."

Helping someone through a rough patch is benevolent.  Helping someone temporarily fill the cup when their abilities truly can't is benevolent.  Helping someone into a situation from which they can begin again on their own is benevolent.  THAT IS TRULY GODLIKE.  IT IS CHARITABLE.

Giving someone something to the point that it creates dependence, even generation to generation, is NOT benevolent.  It is cruel.  It is NOT natural.  It is cruel.  It is giving fishes when no fishing is being taught.  IT IS CONTROL.  Putting oneself in control of others is cruel.

Samuel Johnson is saying that it's unnatural to feed the animals.  He is saying that it is not sure.  He is saying that it is not good (if not temporary).

And to Samuel Johnson words meant things.  They still do.