the ultimate struggle?

Nippom · (#1 (**permalink**))

If you ask a Westerner, "What is the ultimate struggle in life?", he or she might answer, "That would be, the struggle between good and evil."

If you asked a Japanese person the same question, would you get the same answer, or what would be a more likely answer from such a person?

Please don't argue that 'nobody knows'. I'm thinking of generally well-known concepts and answers that a majority of the people could be counted upon to agree that such and such is a good answer.

This one really got me to thinking, the Asian mind does not always see things the same ways as the Western mind. You can toss words around and say, "What do you mean by 'Western' or 'Asian' mind, or "And what do you mean by 'good and evil'?"

But when you get a group, or have been around Westerners or Japanese as groups, you pick up a thing or two over time. So it would seem to me, there's got to be a few good answers that a majority of Japanese would readily agree on.

JohnBraden · (#2 (**permalink**))

New thread? I could swear I saw this thread already....

Nippom · (#3 (**permalink**))

^That is correct, I originally posted it in the translation section because I was not sure where to post it.
I have since deleted most of my original post there, and the original question only appears here now.

Sangetsu · (#4 (**permalink**))

The main struggle in life is to make the right decisions. Your current situation in life is the sum result of the decisions you have made up to that point.

For every action there is a reaction. Good choices are usually rewarded in one way or another, and bad choices usually result in your having to pay the consequences.

Dropping out of school is a bad choice, it limits your options, and sets you up for a life of low income and little potential. Using drugs sets you up for addiction, health problems, and/or a criminal record. Spending too much time on the internet can make you socially disfunctional. Masturbating to porn can lead to inability to have a normal sexual relationship.

Human beings are different than animals in that we have the ability to choose. A responsible person considers the benefits or consequences of his choices, a stupid person doesn't bother. As a result, responsible people usually have far less problems in life than stupid people.

Don't be stupid.

Ryzorian · (#5 (**permalink**))

The difference between ignorant, dumb and stupid. Ignorant means you just don't know. Dumb means you lack the capacity to know. Stupid means you know better but do it anyway.