last night, i was watching this movie, Blood Diamond. fantastic movie that, but i’ll talk about it some other day. (though i might or might not.) this is perhaps my favorite scene from the movie.
Danny Archer (played fabulously by Leonardo DiCaprio) has taken refuge at a local chief, Benjamin’s estate who runs a shelter for war victim children and adults. there is blood and carnage all around this oasis of peace and Danny and his companions have literally escaped death a few hours ago. Danny is actually a diamond smuggler who has got entry after lying that he is a journalist.
the little dialogue between these two opposite characters is fantastic as a critique of the human nature.
Danny Archer(talking about the rebel soldiers): So you think because your intentions are good, they’ll spare you, huh?
Benjamin Kapanay: My heart always told me that people are inherently good. My experience suggests otherwise. But what about you, Mr. Archer? In your long career as a journalist, would you say that people are mostly good?
Danny Archer: No. I’d say they’re just people.
Benjamin Kapanay: Exactly. It is what they do that makes them good or bad. A moment of love, even in a bad man, can give meaning to a life. None of us knows whose path will lead us to God.
think about it. i kept thinking about it. and i realized one thing about me. i’ve never been able to completely hate a person, even if s/he has done some real harm to me. i’ve always found some bit of good in them, not that i want to further test my patience! dear God, please don’t test me anymore ЁЯЩВ
and that is why, i want to ask you, do you, would you also believe that there are no good people or bad people, that there are only good deeds and bad deeds? should we define/brand people as good or bad, or is it about being generally good and generally bad? maybe nobody is completely good or bad, OR maybe there are a few pure souls and a few gone beyond redemption, who knows… maybe we are just supposed to forgive and forget and move on OR maybe we are supposed to fight and seek revenge… who knows?
whatever be the answer(s), what i do agree with is this, “A moment of love, even in a bad man, can give meaning to a life.” actually, it gives meaning to all of humanity. do you also think so?
Born in New Delhi, India in 1980 and is a retired pessimist (still) living in New Delhi. He has Haryanvi ancestors, a Punjabi girlfriend, friends all over the world, two (or more) yet to be born children, (many) memories of (many) pet dogs and no cats ever. He holds an honours degree in English Literature from the University of Delhi and creates advertisements for paying the bills. His interests are universal, and include: living, eating, sleeping and when not sleeping, daydreaming. Other abiding interests include reading, writing, street photography, newspaper editorials, watching the moon and planning trekking trips that never materialize.
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