What is the measure of a man?

[Shoosh Malooka]

What is the measure of a man, or woman? I have found some quotes that try to answer this question:

A. According to Lord Kelvin ( William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin ), the mathematical physicist and engineer who brought us the Kelvin scale of absolute temperature, "The measure of a man is what he would do if he knew he wouldn't get caught."

B. According to civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. who is widely known for his "I Have a Dream" speech, "The measure of a man is what he does when he is down," that is, when he hits rock bottom.

C. According to an unknown person during the Norman invasion of Anglo-Saxon England in 1066 ( source needed ), "The measure of a man is what he would do to save his own miserable life."

D. According to Clay Aiken in his song Measure of a Man, the measure of a man is that "A man is what he says." I'm not sure how to interpret this, so I will leave that up to you!

Obviously, option D is intended for mirth and amusement while the heavy debate falls between A, B, and C. My question is:

Who is right, Lord Kelvin, Martin Luther King, Jr, or the anonymous?

[HystericalParoxysm]

About 5-6 inches, on average.

[urisStar]

About 5-6 inches, on average.

Laughing at HP :!: :lol: . . . laughing at myself :!: Is that dead or alive? :!: :rofl:

I think the measure of a man is what he do and not what he say, as in action speaks louder than words! :Pint:

[Mistermook]

I prefer to remain unmeasured, because as I get older I become a bigger man, unfortunately.

[CuddlesdaTeddlyBear]

Then we all know that Martin Luther is the bigger man... because he's got King Jr. in his name.

*rimshot*

Hmm, that joke sounded funnier in my head.

I agree with urisStar: A man should be measured by his actions and not his words. It's easy to say what you stand for and represent but to actually live by your creed is what should be most important. I also like what Lord Kelvin said though. I like to think I'm a 'good' person but there are alot of 'bad' things I would have done if I knew I could get away with it.

Does that make me a bad person even though I haven't actually done the bad thing but wanted to? My conscience, empathy and fear of getting caught restrained me all those times but the desire to act out on my bad deed was just as strong. Am I still a bad person?

[Shoosh Malooka]

I think regarding Lord Kelvin's quote, it places you in a world without conscience or consequence. I've thought carefully on what I would do with supreme immunity, and I would not be proud to post my responses on this forum. Further, the same person can demand the inverse question: How far would you act for the benefit of everyone if you knew that you wouldn't get credit where credit is due? That's an even more fascinating question to me, and it inspires me to look with skepticism on 'do-gooders' everywhere.

"I think the measure of a man is what he do and not what he say, as in action speaks louder than words!"

In other words, if a man abides by his own rhetoric then it shows his virtue? That only the infallible person can speak for what he believes in? I like the way it rings, and in a world of ideals it could be valid. But who can say they lived up to perfection, past, present, and future? Human beings make mistakes, and one need only make one mistake in his life to have it exploited by others before the naysayers jump on the bandwagon. Every person has done something wrong. In another topic I observed a debate about whether or not a former porn star who is against child pornography was fit to take that position. Even the biggest men in history have committed adultery.

[crocobaura]

In other words, if a man abides by his own rhetoric then it shows his virtue? That only the infallible person can speak for what he believes in? I like the way it rings, and in a world of ideals it could be valid. But who can say they lived up to perfection, past, present, and future? Human beings make mistakes, and one need only make one mistake in his life to have it exploited by others before the naysayers jump on the bandwagon. Every person has done something wrong. In another topic I observed a debate about whether or not a former porn star who is against child pornography was fit to take that position. Even the biggest men in history have committed adultery.

There is a saying, something along the lines of one who did not work is one who never made any mistakes. So, yes, everyone can make mistakes. But I think it's important that, if someone made a mistake, he or she should try to remedy it in a manner that does not cause further conflict. The way someone handles his mistakes speaks a lot about his character and generally just go to complement what uristar said about actionas and words.

[urisStar]

I think regarding Lord Kelvin's quote, it places you in a world without conscience or consequence. I've thought carefully on what I would do with supreme immunity, and I would not be proud to post my responses on this forum. Further, the same person can demand the inverse question: How far would you act for the benefit of everyone if you knew that you wouldn't get credit where credit is due? That's an even more fascinating question to me, and it inspires me to look with skepticism on 'do-gooders' everywhere.

"I think the measure of a man is what he do and not what he say, as in action speaks louder than words!"

In other words, if a man abides by his own rhetoric then it shows his virtue? That only the infallible person can speak for what he believes in? I like the way it rings, and in a world of ideals it could be valid. But who can say they lived up to perfection, past, present, and future? Human beings make mistakes, and one need only make one mistake in his life to have it exploited by others before the naysayers jump on the bandwagon. Every person has done something wrong. In another topic I observed a debate about whether or not a former porn star who is against child pornography was fit to take that position. Even the biggest men in history have committed adultery.

You are assuming that all actions gets graded as to be one way or the other, however, I would not apply virtue or immorality to it but to only say it is what it is, individually. If someone by their words is saying one thing and by his actions something else, it is what it is, you could do all the analyzing, make excuses and or deny what you see (actions) all you want too, it still is what it is. Whatever you may call it is up to the beholder.

Example: You tell me Jesus love me, he came to save me from my sins and He sent you to tell me so, but if you proceeded to lie on me, steal from me, attempt to destroy me, I would conclude that you and Jesus is/are pure evil and I would not want to have anything to do with either of you. I call that survival but anyone else could call it whatever they want too, but it only matter, to me, what I called it. :Pint: :lol:

[HystericalParoxysm]

The measure of one's character is what they do when they're alone, when nobody's watching, and when there are no possible external consequences. So basically choice A. The threat of imprisonment, being shunned by friends and family, etc., are selfish motives. Perhaps effective deterrents, but if someone acts in a selfless and honorable manner even without those things to stop them, I'd say that's a heck of a lot better than "Gosh my wife would kill me!" or something. ;)

[CuddlesdaTeddlyBear]

Example: You tell me Jesus love me, he came to save me from my sins and He sent you to tell me so, but if you proceeded to lie on me, steal from me, attempt to destroy me, I would conclude that you and Jesus is/are pure evil and I would not want to have anything to do with either of you. I call that survival but anyone else could call it whatever they want too, but it only matter, to me, what I called it. :Pint: :lol:

And this is why religion, on a whole, has the bd reputation it does today. Sects, groups and individuals have committed questionable acts in the name of their god(s). Jesus said that only good plants bear good fruit and true believers should be known by the quality of their fruit. We are all only human and imperfect so we make mistakes but everyone seems to forget that the second a Christian slips up and are quick to point fingers and make them an example.

Most of time, the mistakes we make are because of an error in judgment, a temporary weakness or even an emotional reaction but, like Shoosh Malooka said, that one mess up can discredit a person and, even if they set out to make amends, that taint will forever remain on their permanent record.

I think regarding Lord Kelvin's quote, it places you in a world without conscience or consequence. I've thought carefully on what I would do with supreme immunity, and I would not be proud to post my responses on this forum. Further, the same person can demand the inverse question: How far would you act for the benefit of everyone if you knew that you wouldn't get credit where credit is due? That's an even more fascinating question to me, and it inspires me to look with skepticism on 'do-gooders' everywhere.

That's a good point. There are lots of people who only do good things for the recognition and to hear others speak highly of them but I doubt they would do it anonymously.

[urisStar]

And this is why religion, on a whole, has the bd reputation it does today. Sects, groups and individuals have committed questionable acts in the name of their god(s). Jesus said that only good plants bear good fruit and true believers should be known by the quality of their fruit. We are all only human and imperfect so we make mistakes but everyone seems to forget that the second a Christian slips up and are quick to point fingers and make them an example.

Most of time, the mistakes we make are because of an error in judgment, a temporary weakness or even an emotional reaction but, like Shoosh Malooka said, that one mess up can discredit a person and, even if they set out to make amends, that taint will forever remain on their permanent record.

I think we underestimate each other and forget that we are all in this together, and while anyone can say just about anything they want too, it takes sincerity and a little humility to correct a mistake. It also say, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speak and one would have to know that heart, however like you said above, by their fruit you shall know them and there are nine fruit. If the expectation is, we are not perfect, could never be perfect, if you are religious, you are calling God a liar, for He said be perfect as I am perfect. Maybe no one knows what that perfect/perfection is and would be wise to find out.

It takes time for fruit to grow, and that in its season. You can't call it a mistake if you keep saying you are an apple every time you make a so-called mistaken only to continue to grow lemons.

The problem is, when one makes a mistake, and depending on the degree of that mistake, one's expectation on others response should not be demanding, it should be a time to inspect the fertilizer that is in use and make the transition/correction into producing apples and you wont have to tell anyone you are an apple because they will see and taste it for themselves. :lol: :Pint:

Edited: CuddlesdaTeddlyBear, even though I quoted your post, I am speaking in general, if I was speaking directly to you, I would have used a sugar apple and a soursop! :lol:

[WCF]

If I had to pick between A, B, or C, I'd pick A. Options B and C are pretty much saying the same thing, I think. They measure a man (I use man for the sake of the discussion...women as well. Trying to be gender neutral.) by what actions he would take at his very lowest state. I don't think this is a very good measurement, because a man isn't who he is naturally when acting under desperation. I think desperation is an outside factor that clouds a man's behavior/logic.

Option A, on the other hand, shows how the man will naturally behave without the influence others.

[SuicidiaParasidia]

About 5-6 inches, on average.

that was actually the first thing i thought when isaw the title. o_o;
" what... you want feet/inches? " xD!

[1ove]

that was actually the first thing i thought when isaw the title. o_o;
" what... you want feet/inches? " xD!

Yeah... thirded. I'm not sure I understand the question!

[Vanito]

E) a man is what he does, without limits.

If punishment and not beeing caught would be the limit, it does not show what people are like, but how afraid they are of punishment.

Words are just words, and not actions. They can mean something, but do not have to. Empty words mean nothing.

Desperation would drive most people to extreme limits. People differ in what brings them to desperation.

About everyone would fight for their life.

The ideal is 8 inches. Also thats what many gay dating site guys claim to have ha ha ha.

[SuicidiaParasidia]

The ideal is 8 inches. Also thats what many dating site guys claim to have.


xDDDDD
*on the floor, dying.*

but with the other stuff that was said... i think i draw this conclusion:

the measure of a man is his perception of himself and his personal truth[s].