@William,
Quote:First, the lyrics are not indicating who "you" represents so I am going to assume the "you" represents "society" at large, though in the mind of the writer, it could very well be anything, making it highly ambiguous and negative in it's over all concept and message the writer is trying to establish. (Why I emphasized the word) If you truly think about it, without being more definitive as to who "you" represents, only serves to promote a paranoia in general, as Caroline mentioned there are those who do not lie, steal and cheat.
Having said that, I think we must explore why "you" does such things as lie, steal and cheat in a broad sense for they are truly not "virtuous or tolerable" as the lyrics state and can be hidden behind such a word as virtue; of which, that in and of itself, has many definitions as I bring those to the fore:
--Moral excellence and righteousness; goodness.
--An example or kind of moral excellence: the virtue of patience. Chastity, especially in a woman.
--A particularly efficacious, good, or beneficial quality; advantage: a plan with the virtue of being practical.
--Effective force or power: believed in the virtue of prayer. virtues Christianity. The fifth of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology.
--Obsolete. Manly courage; valor.
Perhaps you can identify the one you think the writer is referring to, IYO .
--- IMO the artist is talking about the complete *******s that we shouldn't tolerate. The people that lie, cheat, and steal their way through society or towards success. Not everyone is like this but at heart, many people are unfortunately. I wouldn't say he is talking about society in general but yes, probably a large part of society which is in fact composed of these inconsiderate and selfish people. Not to say all people are like this because some really do make a good effort to be a honest person.
The points you bring up about motive are definitely valid. To add, i believe the main drive behind intolerable acts are to gain success through an "easy" route. Success which can be financial success down to any other type of success. What it comes down to is people would see themselves benefit and get what they want at the sacrifice of others, which is the origin of the problem. Lying can be used to manipulate any situation to work for your own purposes along with cheating and stealing which can be used to gain wealth or other measures of success. Again, what you said before could possibly be the reason behind the intolerable acts but personally i tend to lean more towards gain and benefit at the expense of others.
Quote:I am assuming you are referring to the GOLDEN RULE which states, "Treat/do unto other as you would have them treat/do unto you". (Treat others as you would like to be treated) The thing is Yogi, there are so many people who are clueless as to 'how' to treat other people. Talk about a word with many various definitions:
TREAT:
-- To act or behave in a specified manner toward.
--To regard and handle in a certain way. Often used with as: treated the matter as a joke.
--To deal with in writing or speech; discuss: a book that treats all aspects of health care.
--To deal with or represent artistically in a specified manner or style: treats the subject poetically.
--To "provide" with food, entertainment, or gifts at one's own expense: treated her sister to the theater.
--To "give" (someone or oneself) something pleasurable: treated herself to a day in the country.
--To subject to a process, action, or change, especially to a chemical or physical process or application.
--To give medical aid to (someone): treated many patients in the emergency room.
--To give medical aid to counteract (a disease or condition): treated malaria with quinine.
See what I mean. The "golden rule" can have many varied definitions and one that is the most popular and that is so very evident in this mixed up world is; "the one with the gold, makes all the rules" giving a hell of a lot of validity to those comments above regarding 'this society' and the role it plays in creating these "intolerant" consequence.
Now which one of the above definitions, IYO would you consider the most appropriate as to what "treat" means that would give the golden rule a better meaning? I most definitely have mine though I would have to alter a couple of the words in even that definition.
--- I see where your coming from and i should have been more clear. The manner in which i meant to use the word "treat" is to act or behave in a specified manner. And the context in which i used it is to treat other with respect, consideration, and all the other thoughtful qualities you want to be treated with.
And thank you for allowing me time to respond
