Previously, I could not understand what the phrase means - « good intentions The road to hell is paved", I didn’t understand if they only want the best for you, how it could hurt. However, several life situations helped me understand more what it means.
For a long time I didn’t like the first floor of the house in which I lived before- a lot of inscriptions, peeling paint, some bad-smelling corners. Time after time I passed by all this obscenity and feelings rose in my soul: “Well, when will all this end?”
At a certain point, it dawned on me that this could continue for a long time until I did something about it myself. So I went and bought paint and brushes, inspired my wife and friends, and we started cleaning, washing and painting. Naturally, in the process of our work, residents passed by us quite often, since the house is multi-story. I thought the reaction would be something like this : “Well done! How can I help you? Well, finally, someone has taken up this matter! However, everything turned out to be exactly the opposite, people were upset because it smelled like paint, because they could get dirty, because the color we chose was only suitable for the toilet, and also because we weren’t going to paint the entire entrance. At the end of the work, one woman said: “Insolent people! You always do something formally, get money for it, but nothing was even painted on my floor.” I didn’t understand why I was doing something on my own initiative, and it was clearly getting better, but instead of support and basic respect, I was met with indifference and condemnation? Why don’t my good intentions help people, but rather irritate them? On the one hand, of course, people thought that we were hired workers from the housing office and therefore made increased demands on our work, but on the other hand, there should be basic respect. After I calmed down, I realized that it is difficult to please everyone, because there are so many people, so many opinions. I think the most important thing I didn't do that I should have done is I didn't ask if what I wanted to do was necessary for other people. Even if it seems to me that this is good for them, they may think completely differently.
Sometimes it seems to us that we have good intentions and people will feel good from our initiative and care, but if they do not accept it, then it begins to seem to us that they are simply not grateful people. But it often turns out that other people simply do not need the benefit that we bring to them and they are upset that we decide something for them and do not give them a chance to decide their own destiny.
In Khabarovsk, my friends and I once decided to restore the broken and broken benches that were located behind our house and thought that it would be cool and people would have a place to sit. No sooner said than done: we bought the boards, took the tools, attracted volunteers, calculated everything, sawed it off, what needed to be dug in, what needed to be screwed in and then painted. But it turned out that the residents were extremely dissatisfied with our action and, moreover, someone even deliberately broke these benches. The fact was that young people gathered on these benches at night, under the windows of the residents, they drank and cursed, and bawled songs half the night, not allowing them to sleep peacefully. Our good intention turned out to be of no use to anyone and even looked more like a “disservice.”
Often good intentions lead to hell, simply because in our desire to help, we try to do everything for another person, and this he does not like and is not at all useful. Or often guided by the golden rule of morality, we try to give a person what we would like to receive ourselves. But since everyone is different and everyone is unique, sometimes other people need completely different things than we do. So that good intentions do not lead to hell, you must, first of all, love people enough to understand what they need, and secondly, it is important to ask people how ready they themselves are for change and listen to their opinion.
Among the mass of popular phraseological combinations, there are those in which deep folk or philosophical wisdom is hidden. Their use in speech often seems ambiguous and can cause intellectual debate. Some catchphrases and expressions of this type may even have several sound variations, but at the same time retain the same meaning. We will consider one of these phraseological units in this article. Let's find out its meaning and origin. We will also look at how this phrase is used.
Expression value
I have heard the most unexpected interpretations of the phrase about good intentions paving the road to hell. The closest to the true meaning is a point of view of this kind: some person is constantly planning to do something useful, kind, but things don’t go beyond these intentions - either there is no time, then there is no opportunity, then the turnover becomes boring. So these plans remain plans, that is, they turn into undone good deeds. Each of them is a cobblestone in the said pavement leading to hell. Because if the intended good deeds are not done, space appears for evil deeds, that is, for sin.
Often, good-natured plans may not at all relate to any specific matter in relation to another person - to help, look after, protect, but simply to become better yourself. These intentions are usually the most difficult to achieve. That is, you need to not intend to do it, but do it.
The phrase “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” is used in the case when, trying to carry out some completely humane thing, a person achieves the completely opposite result, often with negative consequences.
Expression Variations
The Russian language, like a living being, reacts sensitively to all sorts of changes and additions: words and their meanings change, familiar phraseological units begin to sound differently, then acquiring new meaning, then preserving the content, but “dressing” in a new verbal form.
The authors of catchphrases, perhaps, do not claim such a title, having once uttered a phrase that will be famous in the future. Thus, a phrase about good intentions, leaving them and their “ultimate goal” in its composition, sometimes changes the verb form. Then the expression might sound like this: the road to hell is paved, paved, paved. This does not change the meaning.
The road to hell and the path to it can be paved or paved with these intentions, or hell is already paved with them.
There are also interesting variations. One of them sounds something like this: “From good intentions (good intentions) the path straight to hell.”
Origin of the phrase and its variants
The history of popular expressions quite often refers us to different sources. So, according to one version, the phrase about good intentions goes back to the saying English writer Samuel Johnson, who once said, “Hell is paved with good intentions.” This is mentioned by his biographer, author of two-volume memoirs about the writer James Boswell.
However, there is another point of view, which attributes the origin of this expression to the 17th century Anglican priest and metaphysical poet George Herbert, for whom it sounds like this: “Hell is full of good intentions and desires.” This quote seems to emphasize the meaning of the Bible saying contained in the Book of Jesus. It says: “The path of sinners is paved with stones, but at the end of it is the pit of hell.”
The second assumption is considered the most likely, since the author seems to illustrate with this phrase one of the main points of Protestant ethics. Its essence is that true faith certainly leads to the creation of good deeds, and not dreams of them.
Use of expression
The phraseology “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” is quite often used not only in literature and journalism, but also in colloquial speech. You can also hear an abbreviated, “proverbial” version of it: “with good intentions,” which implies the same ending with the same meaning.
As observations have shown, in the first, biblical sense, the expression is used no less often than in the “everyday” sense. In the first case, the emphasis is on the fact that, according to the Apostle James, faith without works is dead, that is, unfulfilled intentions, no matter how good they may be, are the result of weak faith and block the road to salvation.
This point of view seems very attractive and quite justified. This phrase is missing the word “unfulfilled,” which should come before the word “intentions.”
And in everyday life, the opinion that when raising a child, you try to do everything possible and impossible for him is eloquent. With the best intentions. But a completely unworthy person can grow up. Therefore, before trying to do something “good”, it would not be a bad idea to figure out what is truly good for this or that person.
Synonyms
Regarding the phrase “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”, it is observed interesting phenomenon. A fairly ancient saying, and even having a religious connotation, unexpectedly acquired a synonym in the 20th century in connection with economic problems in Russia.
“We wanted the best, but it turned out as always” - this expression of V. S. Chernomyrdin, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Russian Federation, has acquired a synonymous meaning of the phrase about good intentions in the sense that implies a desire to do a good deed, but its result turns out to be completely opposite to what was expected . In this context, we were talking about the characteristics of the progress of monetary reform in the country in 1993. The phrase soon became truly popular and is often used instead of “good intentions.”
Conclusion
Catchphrases and expressions are born in the depths of life. The history of mankind is rich in many examples when seemingly good intentions led not only to opposite results, but also to tragedies. How many utopian ideas have been invented, developed revolutionary programs, parties were organized, some radical movements were carried out, seemingly to improve everyone’s life. And in the end there were Crusades, and Bolshevism, and fascism, designed to bring “happiness”, if not to all of humanity, then to the peoples or races “programmed” for it.
And from a theological point of view, the meaning of the saying “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” is that there are much more good intentions in life than the same deeds.
Is the road to hell paved with good intentions?
Question: Where did the expression “The road to hell is paved with good intentions” come from?
Answer: This expression is now a proverb. Its closest source is the two-volume memoir-biographical book by James Boswell (1740–1795), “Life of Samuel Johnson,” published in 1791. The author claims that S. Johnson (Johnson; 1709–1784) said in 1775: “Hell is paved with good intentions.” The only difference is that the proverb talks about the road to hell, and S. Johnson talks about hell itself. Apparently, the author of the aphorism - an English critic, lexicographer, essayist and poet - relied on a saying made earlier by the Anglican priest and metaphysical poet George Herbert (Herbert; 1593–1633) in the book “Jacula prudentium” (Latin: “Witticisms of the Wise Men”) "): "Hell is full of good meanings and wishes" - "Hell is full of good intentions and desires."
All three statements are united by the common idea that desires and intentions alone are not enough for salvation. This is entirely consistent with patristic teaching. First of all, you must have faith: “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6). According to St. Ephraim the Syrian, “without oil the lamp will not burn; and without faith no one acquires a good thought.” There were so many utopias, radical movements, revolutionary programs, etc., in the world, the leaders and participants of which, without God and against God, relying on their fallen minds, wanted to bring “happiness” to humanity. History keeps a sad and tragic memory of this. Likewise, an individual person who is in the blindness of unbelief, wanting to fulfill his intentions, which seem good to him, often causes evil and pain to others.
Faith is necessary, but it must be correct. There can be many mistakes and misconceptions, but the truth is always one. People who are carried away by erroneous religious teachings, are confident that they have good intentions, but the false spirituality in which they find themselves leads them to destruction. All religious substitutions are carried out with the participation of demonic forces.
St. John Chrysostom says: “Faith is like a strong rod and a safe harbor, delivering from errors of judgment and calming the soul in great silence.” However, the same ecumenical teacher warns: “Let us not consider faith alone to be sufficient for our salvation, but we will also take care of behavior, we will lead and best life so that both will contribute to us achieving perfection.” The Holy Fathers persistently emphasize that a Christian must have a spiritually enlightened mind. Without it, dangerous errors can occur. Reverend Anthony The Great believed that it was reasoning cardinal virtue Christian:
“Reflection is the eye of the soul and its lamp, just as the eye is the lamp of the body; so if this eye is light, then the whole body (of our deeds) will be light, but if this eye is dark, then the whole body will be dark, as the Lord said in the Holy Gospel (see: Matt. 6: 22-23 ). By reasoning, a person analyzes his desires, words and deeds and retreats from all those that remove him from God. Through reasoning, he thwarts and destroys all the machinations of the enemy directed against him, correctly distinguishing between what is good and what is bad.”
A person lives for himself, tries not to do anything reprehensible in life, for which he would be ashamed. But, if possible, he strives to do more good deeds. And not to check a box so that in the next world (if there really is one) you can get a “credit”, but out of your sincere desire. Time passes, but for some reason the good comes out sideways. And then he begins to realize: indeed, the road to hell is paved with good intentions...
And the point here is not at all about human ingratitude and not about the fact that justice does not exist, it’s just that the world is imperfect. The reason is in the person himself, who naively believes that he does good deeds.
Is pity a good feeling or a bad one? It would seem that compassion helps humanity survive. But it’s not for nothing that they say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Or maybe humanism also helps the human race to degrade?
Are you familiar with the situation when a parent’s darling grows up to be a person unadapted to life? He doesn’t seem to notice that the “childhood holiday” is long over and it’s time to get down to business. In order for the “continuation of the banquet” to last, he needs easy money... Who is to blame for this? Can parental love really lead to imprisonment for their beloved child? Maybe! They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
What should the wife of an alcoholic do? He doesn’t give a living, he drinks all his money, and he also started taking things out of the house. And growing children need decent clothes, we don’t live in post-war times... But it’s a pity for him, he’ll completely disappear... So it happens again: the road to hell is paved with good intentions - the whole family walks along it!
What happens when gopniks beat up a teenage musician in a back alley? Is this bad? Without a doubt. But the boy, despite being busy, is also in sports section signed up. I grew up to be a strong and confident person. He will remember that cruel lesson all his life, though without much anger, because that incident even helped him in some way.
Can we say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and the road to heaven with bad intentions? Look, the conclusion suggests itself, but this is a mistake! Such a judgment will justify bullying and cruelty, and will untie the hands of nonhumans... Moreover, the scale of delusions can be global. Remember the recent past: they wanted to enrich the peoples of the earth with culture, but they ended up with fascism. By the way, Hitler painted some good pictures as a child, and if he had still been accepted into art school, maybe there wouldn’t have been a hyper-ambitious politician, and the tyrant would have realized himself differently?
Where is the justice? How can a simple person understand little man, what to do? But the truth is right in the middle. Neither extreme leads to good. There should be everything in a person’s life, but in moderation. Both love and severity. Then only harmony is possible. Reckless love does not increase goodness at all, but gives rise to idleness and evil. Excessive severity will lead to cruelty and violence.
To ensure that the road to hell is not paved with good intentions, you need to raise your children correctly. What is the relationship? Let's figure it out.
We all come from childhood. Whether the person we see or think about is bad or good, he was shaped by the environment and events of long-forgotten days. The future of children, of course, is in the hands of their parents. It depends on their worldview and objective understanding of life. It also depends on whether they understand that it is impossible to live autonomously in human society. If we now turn a blind eye to the misfortune of others, our children, when they become adults, will be faced with this unresolved problem, manifested as the cruelty of the outside world.
Origin
The authorship of the expression is often attributed to the English writer Samuel Johnson. His biographer James Boswell, in his memoirs, says that in 1755 Johnson said, “Hell is paved with good intentions.” However, Walter Scott, in his novel The Bride of Lamermoor (1819), attributes its origin to one of the English theologians.
The most likely original author of the saying is considered to be the 17th century English theologian George Herbert, in whose book “Jacula prudentium” there is the phrase “Hell is full of good meaning and wishes.” With this saying, Herbert illustrated one of the main ideas of Protestant ethics, according to which the reality of faith certainly leads to the performance of good deeds. This saying echoes a saying from the Bible - in the book of Jesus, son of Sirach (chapter 21, v. 11) there is a phrase: “The path of sinners is paved with stones, but at the end of it is the abyss of hell.”
Thus, from a theological point of view, the meaning of this saying is that there are much more good intentions than good deeds, therefore people who have good intentions, but do not carry them out, cannot be considered righteous and thus cannot yet count on getting into paradise.
Other options
- The path to hell is paved with good intentions
- The road to hell is paved with good intentions
- Hell is paved with good intentions
- Fifteen years of hell, which is paved with good (good) intentions
- Good intentions lead straight to hell
Notes
Literature
- Walter Scott. Bride of Lammermoor.
- A. Kirsanova. Dictionary popular words and expressions. - M.: Martin, 2004. - 448 p. - 1500 copies. - ISBN 5-8475-0154-4
Links
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
- Good Intentions ("Lost")
- Blabyrkhva (platform)
See what “The road to hell is paved with good intentions” means in other dictionaries:
The road to hell is paved with good intentions- From English: Hell is paved with good intentions. According to Boswell, biographer of the English writer, critic, essayist and lexicographer Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), it was the latter who once said this phrase: “Hell is paved with good intentions.”... ... Dictionary of popular words and expressions
The road to hell is paved with good intentions- last about the undesirable or severe consequences of attempts to implement an attractive, but insufficiently thought-out plan...
road- and, m. 1) A strip of land, rolled out or specially prepared for movement, a route of communication. Dirt road. Railway. Slippery road. The road was covered with snow. I go out alone on the road; through the fog the flinty path shines... ... Popular dictionary of the Russian language
Hayek Friedrich von- Liberalism of Friedrich von Hayek Life and writings Friedrich August von Hayek was born in Vienna in 1899. During the First World War, as an Austrian artillery officer, he fought on the border with Italy. Returning to Vienna, he began to study... ... Western philosophy from its origins to the present day
HELL- HELL, ah, about hell, in hell, husband. 1. In religious beliefs: a place where the souls of sinners are surrendered after death eternal torment. The torment of hell (also translated). The road to hell is paved with good intentions (that good intentions are often forgotten, giving way... ... Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary
Catchphrase- Winged words (tracing paper from the German Geflügelte Worte, which, in turn, is a tracing paper from the Greek ἔπεα πτερόεντα phrase found in Homer) is a stable phraseological unit of a figurative or aphoristic nature, included in the vocabulary from ... ... Wikipedia
We wanted the best, but it turned out as always- “We wanted the best, but it turned out as always” catchphrase, delivered by Viktor Chernomyrdin, Prime Minister Russian Federation On August 6, 1993, at a press conference, telling how she was preparing currency reform 1993... ...Wikipedia
BioShock 2- Developer 2K Marin 2K Australia Digital Extremes (Multiplayer) 2K China Arkane Studios (level design assistance) Publishers ... Wikipedia
We wanted the best, it turned out as always- “We wanted the best, but it turned out as always” is a phrase uttered by Viktor Chernomyrdin, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation on August 6, 1993 at a press conference, describing how the 1993 monetary reform was being prepared. July 24, 1993... ...Wikipedia
hell- noun, m., used. compare often Morphology: (no) what? hell, what? hell, (see) what? hell, what? hell, about what? about hell and in hell 1. In various religions, hell is the place (it is generally believed that it is located somewhere deep underground) where after... ... Dmitriev's Explanatory Dictionary
Books
- Stealing darkness, Ksenia Bazhenova. Even several years later, Katya could not forget this nightmare: she got rid of the child at the request of his father! However, despite this, the girl, it seems, still continued to love Sergei... Stas...
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