This whole thing is not about heroism. It’s about decency.

~ Live & Learn

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Roger Cohen, NY Times: Mow The Law:

[…] I am less interested in the inspirational hero than I am in the myriad doers of everyday good who would shun the description heroic; less interested in the exhortation to “live your dream” than in the obligation to make a living wage.

In Camus’ book, “The Plague,” the doctor at the center of the novel, Bernard Rieux, battles pestilence day after day. It is a Sisyphean task. At one point he says, “I have to tell you this: This whole thing is not about heroism. It’s about decency. It may seem a ridiculous idea, but the only way to fight the plague is with decency.”

Asked what decency is, he responds: “In general, I can’t say, but in my case I know that it consists of doing my job.” Later, he adds, “I don’t think I have any taste for heroism and sainthood. What interests me is to be a man.”

In the everyday task at hand, for woman or man, happiness lurks.

Don’t miss entire op-ed column by Roger Cohen, Mow The Law

27 thoughts on “This whole thing is not about heroism. It’s about decency.”

  6. this thoughtful post resonated with me. It reminded me of my daughter, a very talented and dedicated special ed teacher, and her outlook on life and her career.

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  9. So full of truth David! Just be decent and show love towards others always. To remember it’s not about me, to remember we were all created equal, to remember we are all part of the human race will open the door for greatness in oneself that we don’t require or strive for. It just happens!

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