This is Alpha, the first-born, when he was 2YO.
This is Beta, the second-born, when he was about 2YO.
This is Gamma, the third-born, when he was about 18MO.
Do the Right Thing
Dec
27
2018
One of the memorable quotes I like is “If you are doing something for the right reason, you will probably be doing the right thing.”
That might not be an exact quote, but I think I got the concept right. The context of the quote was an experienced engineer (Lyle D. Feisel, in Lyle’s Laws) advising a younger engineer on how to know if he was doing the right thing. The setting was engineering, of course, but I think it applies to much of life.
For example: if one child is wondering whether he should tattle on another child, ask him to apply this reasoning. Why does he want to tell on him – to get him in trouble or to keep him safe? This might not work, depending on the age of the child, since kids can be devious. But if someone can be honest with himself when answering the question, it works well.
There are some people who may not be satisfied with that rule of thumb, because there is not an objective standard for “the right reason”. And in some areas that may be true. In my line of engineering, I can ask myself “Would I be able to answer the customer if they questioned this decision?” or “Would I be able to defend this action if the federal regulatory agency inquired about it?”
In my case, I have years of working with the same customer, so I can reasonably ask that question to myself. Not everyone might have that same luxury, so their role-playing questions might not be able to provide guidance.
Even outside of engineering, this rule of thumb should work well. Not everything is going to be cut and dried, of course. But if you’re wondering how to decide on what the right thing is to do, then chances are good that you’re on the right path. If you’re asking yourself how to get out of doing something, then this line of reasoning probably is not for you.
You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which the Lord swore to give your fathers
Deuteronomy 6:18
This little article thingy was written by Some Guy sometime around 9:27 pm and has been carefully placed in the Life category.
