If I were the devil

seeknulfind

New member
Interesting piece.

God bless

Quote:
If I Were the Devil

If I were the Prince of Darkness I would want to engulf the whole earth in darkness.

I’d have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree.

So I should set about however necessary, to take over the United States.

I would begin with a campaign of whispers.

With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whispers to you as I whispered to Eve, “Do as you please.”

To the young I would whisper “The Bible is a myth.” I would convince them that “man created God,” instead of the other way around. I would confide that “what is bad is good and what is good is square.”

In the ears of the young married I would whisper that work is debasing, that cocktail parties are good for you. I would caution them not to be “extreme” in religion, in patriotism, in moral conduct.

And the old I would teach to pray — to say after me — “Our father which are in Washington.”

Then I’d get organized.

I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull, uninteresting.

I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies, and vice-versa.

I’d infiltrate unions and urge more loafing, less work. Idle hands usually work for me.

I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could, I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction, I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.

If I were the Devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions; let those run wild.

I’d designate an atheist to front for me before the highest courts and I’d get preachers to say, “She’s right.”

With flattery and promises of power I would get the courts to vote against God and in favor of pornography.

Thus I would evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, then from the Houses of Congress.

Then in his own churches I’d substitute psychology for religion and deify science.

If I were S-tan I’d make the symbol of Easter an egg

And the symbol of Christmas a bottle.

If I were the Devil I’d take from those who have and give to those who wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. Then my police state would force everybody back to work.

Then I would separate families, putting children in uniform, women in coal mines and objectors in slave-labor camps.

If I were S-tan I’d just keep doing what I’m doing and the whole world go to [beeep] as sure as the Devil.

Paul Harvey, good day.

(Note: This version is as published in 1964 according to Snopes.)
 
Good story.. I used to really enjoy listening to Paul Harvey wish they would revive that kind of research. It's amazing the stories Paul would find and write up, considering it was all done way before the internet.


Here is another kind of story like it.

An 18-year-old student was struggling to pay his fees. He was an orphan, and not knowing where to turn for money, he came up with a bright idea. He and a friend decided to host a musical concert on campus to raise money for their education.

They reached out to the great pianist Ignacy J. Paderewski. His manager demanded a guaranteed fee of $2000 for the piano recital. A deal was struck and the boys began to work to make the concert a success.

The big day arrived. But unfortunately, they had not managed to sell enough tickets. The total collection was only $1600. Disappointed, they went to Paderewski and explained their plight. They gave him the entire $1600, plus a cheque for the balance $400. They promised to honour the cheque at the soonest possible.

“No,” said Paderewski. “This is not acceptable.” He tore up the cheque, returned the $1600 and told the two boys: “Here’s the $1600. Please deduct whatever expenses you have incurred. Keep the money you need for your fees. And just give me whatever is left”. The boys were surprised, and thanked him profusely.

It was a small act of kindness. But it clearly marked out Paderewski as a great human being.

Why should he help two people he did not even know? We all come across situations like these in our lives. And most of us only think “If I help them, what would happen to me?” The truly great people think, “If I don’t help them, what will happen to them?” They don’t do it expecting something in return. They do it because they feel it’s the right thing to do.

Paderewski later went on to become the Prime Minister of Poland. He was a great leader, but unfortunately when the World War began, Poland was ravaged. There were more than 1.5 million people starving in his country, and no money to feed them. Paderewski did not know where to turn for help. He reached out to the US Food and Relief Administration for help.

The head there was a man called Herbert Hoover — who later went on to become the US President. Hoover agreed to help and quickly shipped tons of foodgrains to feed the starving Polish people.

A calamity was averted. Paderewski was relieved. He decided to go across to meet Hoover and personally thank him. When Paderewski began to thank Hoover for his noble gesture, Hoover quickly interjected and said, “You shouldn’t be thanking me Mr. Prime Minister. You may not remember this, but several years ago, you helped two young students go through college. I was one of them.”
https://propelsteps.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/a-true-story-happened-in-1892-at-stanford-university/
 
T-bone,

Thanks for that story. I always liked Paul Harvey. I wasn't a regular listener but when I happened to catch his show or usually part of it, I was never disappointed. He was an interesting man.

God bless
 
Thank you sir,

I think that there is a healthy demand and thirst for a new Paul Harvey. I know that if I ever heard his talks that i couldn't pass them up.

I guess it was something about the tone, pace, and suspense of how he did it that made is really make you reflect on what he was saying.


I think the closest thing now is Mike Rowe. His short stories that he does are really funny and if you stop and think about what he is saying also thought provoking

 
You are quite welcome, Tbone. Paul Harvey was indeed one of a kind. No matter what he was saying, I always wanted to listen as soon as I heard his voice. I read something about him soon after his passing and his work ethic - it was extraordinary.

As for Mike Rowe, I'd see his show once in a while and watch it occasionally. It wasn't until he was a guest on Tucker Carlson's show that it finally sunk in what an exceptional person he seems to be. I think he is quite capable of a program like Paul's but I am not sure it is something he would be happy dedicating his life to.

Funny side note on Rowe; there was a recent row about a post made on his website where a kid took him on accusing him of being "anti-college" or the like. Mike picked him apart, quite graciously in my book, and refuted the kid's arguments quite well. After that I peeked a bit into Rowe. As I suspected, he is himself a college graduate with a B.A. in Communications. My take is that, yes, he understands the "value" of education but he also recognizes today's sheepskins are overpriced and essentially worthless in the marketplace whereas employers are screaming for qualified people willing to get their hands a bit dirty. Years ago, fresh out of high school I went to the big city to "make my fortune". I found myself in front of a counselor at the employment office who told me to go back to college, get a degree in computers. In a few years I'd be an analyst and could write my own paycheck. I never took his advice but he was right on the money. Things have changed but Rowe, like that counselor, sees the job market quite clearly.

I've rambled enough.

God bless
 
I worked blue collar, did time in the Military, and now White collar after college.

I did persue that gig in computes, and while it does pay really well, if something else came along that would pay the same or more, I would jump on it in a second. If you think the Motor vehicles moves slow, you haven't worked in tech at a large company. (hence why i have time to read almost all the posts here and comment)


But I also think that Mike is correct. There are plenty of gig's out there that someone can make 6 figures doing that didn't require them to run up a mountain of college debt. College's have figured out that by raising tuition over and over they can get a portion of your life earnings for teaching you that skill (it's how they rationalize it)

I have the VA, and Voc rehab and come out of college with only a couple of grand in student loans.
My wife on the other hand has a monthly payment of $1,400 a month. It's going to take about 20 years more to pay off. I make almost as much as she does. I would rather do what she does, but the time and costs to get where she is doesn't justify the costs.

On the other hand we all know that of those that actually graduate from high school, they don't all go onto and graduate from college. Those that enter college, most don't make it past the first year, and each year it gets smaller and smaller. My freshman year computer classes had hundreds of students. (almost 300 in a class) by my senior year there were under 30 still there. It is what it is.

But, why not admit that there are plenty of great jobs that don't need college (i personally think that i learned very little usable information there anyways) But, could benefit from Trade schools. I know that a Mechanic that is honest and hard working usually has more cars in their lot than they can get to in a day. I have a friend that is an AC mech. and while he comes home sweaty and dirty, he makes really good money and is about as dumb as it comes. He couldn't pass a college class if it was film studies, but has ripped apart my ac, replaced a $10 part and made it run smoother and cheaper than it ever has without even really thinking about it. (it's his talent)

For what we are spending on High school and seeing the idiots coming out of high school we really need to be honest with ourselves and start modifying the system to reflect the reality that not every student is going to college and graduating, but have natural tallents that would help them be successful if developed. I know people that work at Costco, and went to college at the same time as i did, (while i worked there) and got degree's but when that graduation day was over a decade ago, they didn't leave and are still there. They spent money on a degree that pays less than they made at Costco. (just stupid in my opinion)

After Sophomore year, they should be exposing kids to different fields. Most kids don't know what's out there and are completely unaware. That is a failure of the education system. IMO

If someone is clearly not getting the scores and taking the college bound classes, why not spend that time and money teaching them mechanic skills, welding, or any other type of trade that is always needed.
As it is, the kids are told to go to college, where they are being indoctrinated, running up debt, dropping out, and haven't learned how to take care of themselves or start a family..
That just seems to me like the waste of good potential, The land the devil loves to play in.
 
my son just started a school, something to do with aviation mechanics or some such. I'm not clear on just exactly what it is, but he had to wait for over 2 years to get in. it's a 2 year curriculum.

the schedule meant he had to quit his job but he was able to get rehired by a former employer to work later hours so that works with the classes & lets him pay his bills.

he texted me this week that the class is kicking his [beeep], fast moving and too much math. MATH!!!

buwahahahahaha

you got hold of that tiger boy, better hang on good & don't let go
wink.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Stu Farishmy son just started a school, something to do with aviation mechanics or some such. I'm not clear on just exactly what it is, but he had to wait for over 2 years to get in. it's a 2 year curriculum.

the schedule meant he had to quit his job but he was able to get rehired by a former employer to work later hours so that works with the classes & lets him pay his bills.

he texted me this week that the class is kicking his [beeep], fast moving and too much math. MATH!!!

buwahahahahaha

you got hold of that tiger boy, better hang on good & don't let go
wink.gif



Good for him. I hope that he holds in to that Tiger. That is another field that does well. A good Airplane Mechanic that is very detailed and hard working can line up Annuals and do well. As we both know, it's better to work hard and burn the candle at both ends as a young man than try and make a change as an older guy that has a family and bills.

I do have a tip though.. If the Math is giving him a hard time, he can go on youtube, or the internet and look up the Khan Academy.

https://www.khanacademy.org/ I took past Calc to Finite Mathematics, and when my kids come to me with something i have gotten rusty on, i use this site and then help them. This should save him some time.
The other thing that was very helpful was looking at the material and getting it on a PDF or Text and using a voice to text program to read it to me as an MP3, and that would allow me to listen to my required reading while driving or working out.
 
I used to listen to Paul every day at work. He was quite an entertainer.

But blaming the problems of the world on superstition is just a way for man to deny his own responsibility when things aren't going his way.

Superstition didn't cause the problems, and superstition won't fix them.
 
Faith is a powerful tool. Faith and trust go together like PB&J and without one you really could make the argument that you can't have the other.


To prove my point.
For those that are married, more than 10 years, or know someone that has been. Ask them what traits they feel are/were the key factors to staying married for a long time.

Trust, Faith, forgiveness, love, commitment, respect...

What ever the answer is, can you see the link that what ever trait is stated can typically be boiled down to Trust. I tried to find something that wasn't tied to or linked, but I couldn't think of something that didn't come back to faith and trust.
 
Depends on ones definition of faith. If excepting an outcome or circumstance without attaching any one belief to it, is what's considered faith, I'd consider it a good thing.
 
Originally Posted By: swampwalkerDepends on ones definition of faith. If excepting an outcome or circumstance without attaching any one belief to it, is what's considered faith, I'd consider it a good thing.

Yes,
faith, hope, and optimism are wonderful things.

But if you're gonna attach them to a theistic or deistic belief and expect a material return for your troubles you might as well call on Elmer Fudd.


*
 
Some people in this world have lived through tragedy the rest of can not imagine.
They have lost all hope in this world.
Their grief and disrepair is overwhelming.
They wake each day with disappointment to be alive.
The only hope left is that the next life will bring happiness.
Then you come along and put out that last spark.
 
Originally Posted By: tnshootistSome people in this world have lived through tragedy the rest of can not imagine.
They have lost all hope in this world.
Their grief and disrepair is overwhelming.
They wake each day with disappointment to be alive.
The only hope left is that the next life will bring happiness.
Then you come along and put out that last spark.

No, not at all.
My point was simply that faith, hope, and optimism can exist separate from superstition-just like morality can exist separate from superstition.
I'm pretty sure Swampy was saying the same thing.

My opinion will not affect anyone's "last spark". If the promise of an afterlife is all somebody has left in this life, I'm sorry for their situation and I'm glad they can find comfort in what they believe.
I'm sure what I think will not matter to them in the least.

But I am still entitled to my opinions-even if you don't agree with them.


And maybe you should go back and read the first post in the thread again.
It wasn't started to promote hope.
It was started to promote despair.

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I have no problem with you making your own choice.
Do you ever think about what influence you might have on someone else.
Are you sure that your bitterness would not spill over onto someone who is in a weak and struggling time.
Are you sure your professing of only this life then nothing might not be the last bit of discouragement a person might need to just give up.
Are you OK with that thought.


Do you really not know that everything a man does matters to somebody.

A message of hope must be hope in something.

I can fully support your right to chose for yourself.
Is it also necessary that people who feel as you do also push forth their right to destroy.

Now before you get your panties in a wad over that last comment remember that it is you that must push forth your agenda in most every thread no matter the original post.

I believe there is powers beyond the confines of our existence.
Apparently you believe you are just a blip of energy that will soon cease to exist.

I believe there is more than self.
Apparently you only believe in self.

But I am the one with a closed mind right?
 
One does not need faith to have trust. In my world trust is earned , period !

I used to catch PH on the dial once in a while. I was quite young back then, but his stories caught my ear.
 
Originally Posted By: tnshootist

I believe there is more than self.
Apparently you only believe in self.

But I am the one with a closed mind right?



I know exactly what you believe.
I would know more details if your church/faith and denomination weren't such a closely guarded secret.

The only thing you know about what I believe is that you are obligated to hate it.

And yes, you are the one with the closed mind.
You would be a traitor to your belief system if you ever considered anything outside it.

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