America. Cultural foolishness.

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Website owner:  James Miller

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There are certain fundamental truths that have been understood by wise, thoughtful men of all cultures and all ages. The problem is that the most of these fundamental truths are not understood by the vast majority of the people in America. The vast majority of the people of America, the masses of America, are just not thoughtful people and are not very wise. If you just examine the ways and habits of the vast majority of Americans, what I say is obvious. An example of what I am talking about pertains to the topic of frugality. Consider the following quotations:

Frugality may be termed the daughter of prudence, the sister of

temperance, and the parent of liberty. He that is extravagant

will quickly become poor, and poverty will enforce dependence

and invite corruption.

Johnson

He seldom lives frugally who lives by chance. Hope is always

liberal, and they that trust her promises make little scruple

of revelling today on the profits of tomorrow.

Johnson

With parsimony a little is sufficient; without it nothing is

sufficient; but frugality makes a poor man rich.

Seneca

By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest.

Agesilaus

The way to wealth is as plain as the way to market. It depends

chiefly on two words, industry and frugality; that is waste

neither time nor money, but make the best of both. Without

industry and frugality nothing will do; with them, everything.

Franklin

Frugality is a fair fortune; and habits of industry a good

estate.

Franklin

Nature requires little --- fancy much.

Prosperity is the fruit of labor. Teach economy. That is one

of the first and highest virtues. It begins with saving money.

Abraham Lincoln

A man may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep his

nose all his life to the grindstone and die not worth a groat

after all.

Franklin

Ere you consult fancy, consult your purse.

Franklin

Economy is the parent of integrity, of liberty, and of ease;

and the beauteous sister of temperance, of cheerfulness, and

health; and profuseness is a cruel and crafty demon, that

gradually involves her followers in dependence and debts, and

so fetters them with irons that enter into their inmost souls.

Hawkesworth

Economy is in itself a source of great revenue.

Seneca

Without economy none can be rich, and with it few will be poor.

Johnson

The world abhors closeness, and all but admires extravagance;

yet a slack hand shows weakness, and a tight hand strength.

Buxton

There are not many frugal people in America. Most Americans save nothing or save very little. They squander their money, live for today and don’t worry about tomorrow until tomorrow comes. They are given over to self-indulgence and are just very short-sighted. Most arrive at old age and have essentially nothing. They are just not very wise or thoughtful people. This is just one simple example. Another example is shown in the way such a large portion of Americans are overweight or obese. A prudent person would not allow that to happen. He would take action early and bring things under control. Everyone knows the danger that being overweight poses to health. In my Proverbs and Quotations I have listed many thoughts and quotations on many topics. Almost any topic that you choose provides a good example of the failings of many people. Consider the thoughts and quotations found under On Habit (Few people appreciate the gigantic role that habit plays in how well or how poorly we do in life.) Or consider the quotations found under On Independence, On Work and Idleness, On the tongue, or On Drink. The teachings of Jesus Christ, Confucius, and Buddha contain many profound truths that are just not appreciated by the vast majority of Americans (or most people of the modern West). All of this brings us back to a central fact of life here in America: Most Americans (the masses) are creatures of base impulse, appetite, desire. They are not thoughtful seekers of Truth; followers of Reason, Common Sense, Prudence, and Wisdom. They are self-indulgent followers of the crowd, brute beasts in pursuit of pleasure. They live for the body and are not much interested in higher truth. They may debate political questions involving monetary policy but their main preoccupations are food, sex, music, football, pornography, alcohol, and drugs. Following the way of Wisdom and Prudence involves the exercise of self-discipline. Most people are just not much inclined towards self-discipline. It is just too hard and unappealing.

According to an annual Bankrate.com report just released almost a quarter of Americans said they have no emergency savings.

The number of Americans who said they have no money readily available in either a checking, savings or money market account fell to a seven-year low of 23%. The percentage of Americans with some savings, but not enough to cover three months' worth of expenses, was 22% and the percentage with enough to cover expenses for three to five months was 18%. In other words, 71% of Americans don't have enough savings to cover even six months of normal expenses. Nearly half the country couldn't make it even three months.

The majority of Americans don't appear to be worried about their financial situation. Sixty-two percent say they are somewhat or very comfortable with their emergency savings. Amazingly, about one in five Americans with no emergency savings at all said they felt comfortable, too.

There are two basic reasons for American lack of frugality and their big problem with obesity:

1. Lack of thoughtfulness and foresight

2. Lack of willpower, self-control

Perhaps it is not fair to equate people to animals. Many animals can show remarkable character, wisdom, prudence, and foresight in a great many ways. A great many show remarkable determination and persistence in getting things they want. A great many show remarkable industriousness, diligence, and willingness to work. Most creatures show remarkable caution and wariness and are quick to flee danger. And in the way so many couples argue and fight in their homes, making their homes such a hell-hole, they make most creatures of the wild appear wise. One might even think that man is unique among the creatures of earth in his inclination towards foolishness. Why might this be? I think one of the main reasons is “the crowd”, man’s tendency to follow the crowd. The mind of man is filled with foolishness and the ways of the crowd are ways of foolishness. Man tends to get misled by intellectual foolishness. Another reason might be that animals from an early age learn how to survive in a hard world, learn how to deal with the hardships of life. People, when children, are often sheltered from the hardships of life and consequently never grow up. They remain children all their life. They believe the state will always be there to provide for them.

June 2018