In Defence of Selfishness! Yes!
Proverbs 9
KJV
8+ Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Growing up there was a picture with three monkeys which was very commonly displayed in most homes. We never had one on the wall in our living room.
I didn’t admire it as I didn’t know what it meant. One monkey has its eyes covered, another its ears, and the last its mouth.
It was in my young adult stage that what these monkeys depicted in the picture was explained to me.
See no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil. That's what I was told their dispositions meant; I don’t know if they have other meanings!
Now, having lived a full life, I see these images and what they stand for differently. I have worked, walked and lived among many people; my observations informed my way of interpreting the images.
I would like to think rather that it means “see but you haven’t seen, hear but you haven’t heard, and say nothing even if there is something to be said.”
You may ask how I choose to interpret the images in these terms? Well, read it.
I got my interpretation from society, friends, and associates; I observed and learned that you’ll live long if you adopt my interpretation or meaning of the images portrayed in the picture.
This is it,
It is not everything you see , that you must take seriously or note down! Most don’t matter to you! They don’t add to or subtract anything from your life.
Those it may concern and affect will not listen to you should you attempt to tell or warn them, so why concern yourself? They'll see and regard you as a nuisance and will not walk any longer with you. Even if they do, it's fake and pretentious Yes!
Secondly, it is not everything you hear that you should think or worry your head about! It does not add or take anything away from your life
Again, those whom it may concern or affect will not listen to you should you tell or warn them. So? Why bother, why incur their wrath?
Finally, it is not everything you’ll like to say ( or that must be said) that you should say; keep your wisdom and knowledge to yourself! Though you'll look selfish, there is a reason. You also desire a joyous, pleasant life!
Honestly, if you go this way you’ll make or have fewer enemies and thus live a happy life. Yes, this is my defence of selfishness!
To close my defence, and before you condemn me, I’d like to state that there are exceptions to every rule. These exceptions apply to what you’ve read.
There are two categories of humans on this planet called Earth.
Category One, these are the ones you should live the selfish life with; read their character;
Proverbs 9
KJV
8+ Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:
Category two; these are exempt from the selfish life you'll live Read their character
Proverbs 9
KJV
8+
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Psalms 141
KJV
5+ Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
Beloved, as always, in the midst of fools, be selfish; in the midst of the wise be generous with knowledge and wisdom.
My thoughts, think before you pronounce your verdict.