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Kind
not Nice
Somehow for me “kind” &
“nice” have become extremely different words when applied to humans.
I thought it would be easy to point out in a dictionary, but they’re actually
pretty much the same in the dictionary (though nice is descended from a
word meaning “stupid”). For me a “nice person” is pleasant &
friendly & agreeable. A “nice person” tries to make you feel
good. A “nice person” is generally well liked & unoffensive.
A “nice person” is more concerned with feelings & appearances than
honesty & truth. A “kind person” is concerned with the truth
& the pursuit of the betterment of humanity. A “kind person”
is brutally honest. A “kind person” would rather hurt you with the
truth than comfort you. Maybe it’s the same kind of small distinction
as the line between a capitalist & a communist or a christian &
an atheist or a demon & an angel. Maybe it’s about whether morality
or avoidance of emotional turmoil is more important & if morality is
hard wired or only cultural stigmas. Maybe it’s my belief that hard
work brings good things even though I’ve never had a job nor know anyone
who has where hard work has actually been rewarded instead of penalized.
I don’t want to be comfortable or lazy or nice. I want to be hard
working & good & kind.
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