more on this theme | more from this text
Full Idea
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Gist of Idea
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy
Source
Jesus (reports [c.32]), quoted by St Matthew - 01: Gospel of St Matthew 05.07
Book Ref
'The Bible', ed/tr. the Church [Collins 1950], p.458
A Reaction
This appears to be a straightforward application of social contract morality, with God playing the role of Hobbes' absolute monarch. It highlights the uncomfortable fact at the heart of Christian morality, that the motivation for altruism is selfish.
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6293 | It is almost impossible for the rich to go to heaven [Jesus] |
7352 | Jesus said learning was unnecessary, and only the spirit of the Law was needed [Jesus, by Johnson,P] |
6286 | Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy [Jesus] |
6289 | Love your enemies [Jesus] |
6292 | Love thy neighbour as thyself [Jesus] |
5356 | Treat others as you would have them treat you [Jesus] |
6290 | Except ye become as little children, ye shall not enter heaven [Jesus] |
6287 | If you lust after a woman, you have committed adultery [Jesus] |
6288 | Don't resist evil, but turn the other cheek [Jesus] |
6291 | No one is good except God [Jesus] |
7351 | Jesus turned the ideas of Hillel into a theology reduced to its moral elements [Jesus, by Johnson,P] |