Since he lectured me and President Clinton and values, morals, and faith, I think I'm going to have to lecture him a bit. Via Eschaton: William Bennett is a big-time gambler.
So Mr. Bennett knows:
The 10th Commandment given to Moses: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. (Exodus 20:17). Gambling, of course, is desiring -- coveting -- someone else's money.
Do not desire more than what God grants you. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:31-34) Mr. Bennett repeatedly tries to get rich quick, not comprehending these words from the first Gospel.
Money is the root of all evil. It's a oft told maxim, but it's from the Bible. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1 Timothy 6:10-11) There are things in life much worthier in pursuing than money. Mr. Bennett should know this; it should be a cornerstone of his Book of Virtues and, one assumes, his life.
Bennett's venom against President Clinton, including The Death of Outrage, made Bennett a lot of money. But he should be rest assured. Outrage isn't dead. I'm outraged at his hypocricy.
Comments (2)
Gambling, of course, is desiring -- coveting -- someone else's money.
Really, is that what it means? Let's see what the definition is in the American College Dictionary:
Gamble: To stake or risk money, or anything of value, on the outcome of something involving chance.
I guess they must have left out your definition. Why don't you write to them and have them add it in. Better yet, why don't you write your own dictionary? `When I use a word' says Partha "Humpty Dumpty" Mazumdar, `it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less.'
Posted by Richard | May 3, 2003 12:50 AM
Posted on May 3, 2003 00:50
Correction please:
The LOVE of money is the root of all evil. It is that love that places the gain of wealth before all others and that is where evil is born.
Posted by John Fenton | May 12, 2003 10:50 AM
Posted on May 12, 2003 10:50