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Jack Hoban’s Followers (4)
Jack Hoban
More books by Jack Hoban…
“The Hobo One day while strolling through the great park in Kansas City, he and his mother saw a young woman get her foot caught in the tracks at a railroad crossing. The woman’s husband was desperately trying to free her because a train was bearing down on them. The train was travelling far too quickly to stop before the crossing. As Heinlein and his mother watched the terrifying situation unfold, a hobo suddenly appeared and immediately joined the husband’s futile effort to pull the woman free. But tug and twist as they might, they could not get her foot unstuck. The train killed all three of them. In his description of the vagabond’s effort Heinlein observed that the hobo did not so much as look up to consider his own escape. Clearly, it was his intention either to save the woman or to die trying. Heinlein concluded his account of the nameless hero’s action with this comment: “This is the way a man dies,” but he then added, “And this is the way a man lives.”
― The Ethical Warrior: Values, Morals and Ethics - For Life, Work and Service
― The Ethical Warrior: Values, Morals and Ethics - For Life, Work and Service
“But, when it becomes a matter of life and death, as a rule, we humans value the ethic: “women and children first,” over the ethic: “every man for himself.” Think about it, what do we call people who save themselves? We call them survivors. What do we call people who make sure the less capable people are in the lifeboat before thinking to save themselves? We call them heroes, don’t we? This reflects a common acknowledgement that we all generally cherish those people who serve others over self. You may have heard a qualifying statement to the effect that “I should protect myself first, or how could I be capable of helping others?” But many of our most cherished heroes did not do that. They sacrificed themselves for others. The dual-nature of the Life Value, with its slight tilt toward others in times of trouble, is well recognized in all cultures. Isn’t it true that virtually all of us admire those who protect others, especially at the risk of their own lives? The willingness of human beings to give their lives for others expresses a deep self-giving/species-preserving drive. Self-preservation is a powerful law of nature, but protecting others (especially—but not exclusively—loved ones) is even stronger.”
― The Ethical Warrior: Values, Morals and Ethics - For Life, Work and Service
― The Ethical Warrior: Values, Morals and Ethics - For Life, Work and Service
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