Are people really any good at doing good?

[bean2k21]

As Henry David Thoreau wrote, "If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life."

I laughed out loud as I read this. Because think about it, have you ever really welcomed a do-gooder into your life? Or, haven't you really just considered them a nuisance?

Thoreau goes on to say that a man is not a good man because he will pull him from a freezing lake or out of a ditch -- a Newfoundland dog will do as much.

[Soteris]

Huh.. If anything I just feel sad because there is a toxic masculinity stereotype that men should not seek or accept help. A stupid social norm that has killed many. If men were more open about their problems and accepting of others helping them then perhaps we would live in a slightly better world.

[bean2k21]

In my opinion doesn't stop you from living in your natural state and finding enlightenment, as Thoreau did. You are the only person who does that.

[jshm2]

Henry Thoreau was largely full of shit, and we would dismiss him as a wannabe anarchist, and mendacious idiot these days.

Regardless, it is only the "good" that drives anything. Good laws, good practice, good procedures, good people etc etc.

Hence why Henry's arguments were largely moot, and his fiction work was more popular than his poetry or philosophy.

[bean2k21]

Have you read Walden? It was the exact opposite of being full of shit.

[Guy13]

No as we are a fallen people unable to do good on our own no matter how educated or enlightened we may be…

[purplepoppy]

I'd rather have a do gooder than a do badder

[bean2k21]

How many of those have you had that actually accomplished something?