Profanity paradox

Profanity is simply blasphemous or obscene language that is offensive or disrespectful. 

• As children we’re taught that cursing, even when we’re in pain, is inappropriate, betrays a limited vocabulary or is somehow low class. But profanity serves a physiological, emotional and social purpose and it is effective only because it is inappropriate.
• Profanity is a cultural construct that perpetuates itself through time.
• Profane words have a direct line to our emotions. They are a spontaneous reflection of strong emotional states, like anger, fear or passion. They are also unequaled in their capacity to inflict emotional pain and incite violent disagreement. 
• Swearing and cursing are often used interchangeably, but there’s a subtle difference in their origins. A curse implies damning or punishing someone, while a swear word suggests blasphemy. Both words are defined as profanity: vulgar, socially unacceptable language not used in polite conversation.
• Profane words that provoke the most repressive regulatory reactions from the state in the form of censorship and legislation. Bad words are powerful -- emotionally, physiologically, psychologically and socially. The paradox is that profane words are powerful because we make them powerful. 
• Profanity is learned differently. It’s articulated differently. It changes differently over time. Every generation has its own slang, including profanity.
• Cable television and the Internet have created a wild west for words, where the true will of the people has its way. And if social media are any indication, the people want to be able to swear. And to hear swearing. And to read swearing. As the public has become more accustomed to profanity, taboo words have started to make their way more prominently into mainstream science.
• To capitalize on profanity to learn about language, not just as the rational product of deliberate reflection, but as part of the impulsive, emotional, hot cognition that is pervasively human. Cursing is coping, or venting, and it helps deal with stress. Profanity was associated with less lying and deception at the individual level. People who use profanity are more honest. Liars have to use more brain power, require more thinking, remember lies to avoid telling the truth. Truth tellers, on the other hand, get to the point faster, which might mean speaking impulsively and without a filter.
• When profanity targets demographic groups, it can foster prejudices. These words don’t have any intrinsic, mystical power that confers superhuman strength and endurance. It is simply the act of speaking a taboo word that makes it cathartic.

The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice 

so mean and low that every person of sense and character 

detests and despises it ... George Washington

Profanity generally indicates the weakness of the person and lack of vocabulary skills. Whatever is said in conjunction with profanity gets lost in the noise and people of character will distance themselves. When profane words are used in forums, the person will get castigated and compelled to withdraw those words and apologize unconditionally. If you want people to think that you are telling the truth, then swearing might be helpful. Profanity is unnecessary and should be censored. If the foul-mouthed among us want to preserve the benefits of cursing, we need these detractors to ensure that profanity stays profane.

Abraham Lincoln’s advice to lawyers

Abraham Lincoln, who famously served as America’s sixteenth President during the Civil War, was for most of his life prior to the presidency a lawyer. He was moderately successful, but certainly would not have been one of the “celebrity” lawyers of today. His average fee was between $5 and $20. The highest fee he ever charged was $5,000, which, though substantial for the time, was not common for him. But his success was notable enough to induce various people to ask him for his advice on not only becoming a lawyer, but the practice of law. His answers epitomize the typically homespun, and common sense way in which Lincoln famously expressed himself, even as President.  Baked into his answers was a healthy dose of life wisdom which anyone intent on a successful career could benefit from.

Lincoln’s summary of the “best practices” to which lawyers should adhere for their realistic appraisal of human nature, and the art of virtue. They are reproduced here:

I am not an accomplished lawyer. I find quite as much material for a lecture, in those points wherein I have failed, as in those wherein I have been moderately successful.

The leading rule for the lawyer, as for the man, of every calling, is diligence. Leave nothing for to-morrow, which can be done to-day. Never let your correspondence fall behind. Whatever piece of business you have in hand, before stopping, do all the labor pertaining to it which can then be done. When you bring a common-law suit, if you have the facts for doing so, write the declaration at once. If a law point be involved, examine the books, and note the authority you rely on, upon the declaration itself, where you are sure to find it when wanted. The same of defenses and pleas. In business not likely to be litigated—ordinary collection cases, foreclosures, partitions, and the like—make all examinations of titles, and note them, and even draft orders and decrees in advance. This course has a triple advantage; it avoids omissions and neglect, save your labor, when once done; performs the labor out of court when you have leisure, rather than in court, when you have not. Extemporaneous speaking should be practiced and cultivated. It is the lawyer’s avenue to the public. However able and faithful he may be in other respects, people are slow to bring him business, if he cannot make a speech. And yet there is not a more fatal error to young lawyers, than relying too much on speech-making. If anyone, upon his rare powers of speaking, shall claim exemption from the drudgery of the law, his case is a failure in advance.

Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser—in fees, and expenses, and waste of time. As a peace-maker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.

Never stir up litigation. A worse man can scarcely be found than one who does this. Who can be more nearly a fiend than he who habitually overhauls the Register of deeds, in search of defects in titles, whereon to stir up strife, and put money in his pocket? A moral tone ought to be infused into the profession, which should drive such men out of it.

The matter of fees is important far beyond the mere question of bread and butter involved. Properly attended to fuller justice is done to both lawyer and client. An exorbitant fee should never be claimed. As a general rule, never take your whole fee in advance, nor any more than a small retainer. When fully paid beforehand, you are more than a common mortal if you can feel the same interest in the case, as if something was still in prospect for you, as well as for your client. And when you lack interest in the case, the job will very likely lack skill and diligence in the performance. Settle the amount of fee, and take a note in advance. Then you will feel that you are working for something, and you are sure to do your work faithfully and well. Never sell a fee-note—at least, not before the consideration service is to be performed. It leads to negligence and dishonesty—negligence, by losing interest in the case, and dishonesty in refusing to refund, when you have allowed the consideration to fail.

There is a vague popular belief that lawyers are necessarily dishonest. I say vague, because when we consider to what extent confidence, and honors are reposed in, and conferred upon lawyers by the people, it appears improbable that their impression of dishonesty is very distinct and vivid. Yet the impression, is common—almost universal. Let no young man, choosing the law for a calling, for a moment yield to this popular belief. Resolve to be honest at all events; and if, in your own judgment, you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer. Choose some other occupation, rather than one in the choosing of which you do, in advance, consent to be a knave. 

****

If you are resolutely determined to make a lawyer of yourself, the thing is more than half done already. It is but a small matter whether you read with anybody or not. I did not read with anyone. Get the books, and read and study them till you understand them in their principal features; and that is the main thing…The books, and your capacity for understanding them, are just the same in all places…Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other one thing.

If you wish to be a lawyer, attach no consequence to the place you are in, or the person you are with; but get books, sit down anywhere, and go to reading for yourself. That will make a lawyer of you quicker than any other way.

Yours of the 24th, asking “the best mode of obtaining a thorough knowledge of the law” is received. The mode is very simple, though laborious, and tedious. It is only to get the books, and read, and study them carefully. Begin with Blackstone’s Commentaries, and after reading it carefully through, say twice, take up Chitty’s Pleading, Greenleaf’s Evidence, and Story’s Equity etc. in succession. Work, work, work, is the main thing.

In law it is good policy to never plead what you need not, lest you oblige yourself to prove what you can not. Reflect on this well before you proceed.

As to fees, it is impossible to establish a rule that will apply in all, or even a great many cases. We believe we are never accused of being very unreasonable in this particular, and we would always be easily satisfied, provided we could see the money—but whatever fees we earn at a distance, if not paid before, we have noticed we never hear of after the work is done. We therefore, are growing a little sensitive on that point.

Gentleman's code

• Prosperity should come not with dishonesty and burning conscience but with sweat from hard work.
• Never comprise conscience under any circumstances.
• Be honest by impulse.
• Discuss only merits of own proposition. Ability to sell on that basis will get you repeat orders.
• Never solicit business on the basis of friendship, courtesies or bribes which is sour.
• Never sell a product you aren't sold on yourself.
• Never oversell under any circumstances. A salesman who overloads his customers is a poor salesman than the man who doesn't sell at all. At least the latter hasn't created enemies.
• Consider 'honor' the biggest word in the dictionary. Word is as good as a bond.
• A 'gentleman's code' is something to live up to.
• Fight to the finish to get an order, but within the rules of the game.
• In long run, gentleman's code always works. One can enjoy doing business and can enjoy living with own self.
• Were it not for the unshaken integrity of the mass of people, how could 95% of the world's business be done on credit?
• Labor today is better off than at any time in the history of civilization.
• Capital sees its responsibility in growing measure and shares, according to its enlightenment, with its workers and its public.
• Business firms lean over backward to deliver honest goods. Customer can get his money back. Rigid inspection all through the process of manufacture eliminates the shoddy and faulty.
• Motor industry is pace setter in USA producing incredibly efficient and honest to the last bolt and washer. At the same time prices were kept to a minimum consistent with quality and a modest profit.
• There is no disgrace. Wealth accumulates, but men get it and give it away sharing their fortunes to people. And universities, hospitals, libraries, charitable institutions etc are benefited.
• Gentleman's code is evident in widespread interest in putting service before profit.

A gentleman’s code is a complex system. Some traits are: He gives others the benefit of the doubt. He treats women with respect. He is a good guest and a good host. He talks to people, and not just about himself. He is well-informed on the events of the day. He is well-groomed. He lives with a degree of modesty. His possessions are tasteful. He steps up to help those who need help. He is patient with children. He donates to charitable causes. He can find common ground with anyone for conversation. He leaves every person he meets in a better, or at least no worse, situation than he found them. He believes in encouragement. He is trustworthy and can be relied upon.

Being a gentleman is a matter of choice.

A gentleman puts more into the world than he takes out ... George Bernard Shaw

A gentleman is one who does not what he wants to do, but what he should do.

Honesty in India

Honesty is defined as 'fairness and straightforwardness of conduct' and 'steadfast adherence to the facts'.
Tact is defined as 'the ability to do or say things without offending or upsetting other people'.
Corruption  is defined as dishonest or illegal behavior especially by powerful people, inducement to wrong by improper or unlawful means (as bribery) or departure from the original or from what is pure or correct.

In the present day world honesty is virtually despised and such person gets socially isolated while tact is well appreciated. Tact involves seemingly honest and telling white lies which are as bad as lies. In fact there is no such thing as 'white lies'. What ever is not truth, is a lie only.

In the context of black money and demonetization, the reality is that today, every Indian talks bad about black money and tax evasion but there is no Indian who does not evade taxes and deal with black money. Ironically, every Indian is corrupt with reference to its true meaning. Our constitution and laws differentiate between 'guilty' and 'not guilty' and punishments are same for less guilty or more guilty.

All these Modi adventures are aimed at political supremacy of his party in winning elections and of course dumping money into Gujarat and for Jaitley to reduce budget deficit to please world bank and international credit rating agencies but definitely have little concern for the rights and privileges of common man on street and peasant in the fields.

Present day politicians (read Modi) talking about honesty, truth, morality etc is unbearable. They should confine to at best to talk about law adherence and law compliance. Nothing more.

Honesty is incompatible with amassing a large fortune - Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi's seven deadly sins are: Wealth without work; Pleasure without conscience; 

Knowledge without character; Commerce without morality; Science without humanity; 

Politics without principles; Worship without sacrifice.

Manik Sarkar - Cleanest & Honest Chief Minister

Manik Sarkar (age 67) is an Indian politician who has been Chief Minister of Tripura since March 1998. He is a Politburo Member of Communist Party of India (Marxist). In assembly elections held in 2013, he became the chief minister for the fourth consecutive time.

At the age of 49, he became a member of the politburo of the CPI (M), which is the principal policy-making and executive committee in a Communist party. In the same year, he became the Chief Minister of the state of Tripura. Since then, he has been elected to the same position for four consecutive times. He is one of the very few chief Ministers in India who are in the office for such a long period of time.

Manik Sarkar donates his CM salary and allowances to his party, which pays him ₹5,000 (approximately $76) as subsistence allowances. His affidavit for the 2013 Tripura Assembly election revealed that he may well be the one with lowest monetary resources of all Chief Ministers of India.

Sarkar and his wife live a very simple life. He is the only Chief Minister in India who has no house or a car on his name. Even his wife takes a rickshaw while traveling, with no personal security guards. Some official sources list his monthly salary as the lowest salary among all the Chief Ministers in India. Sarkar has often been called the "Cleanest and the Honest Chief Minister in the country". He has enjoyed a corruption-free image even among his critics.