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| There is no right way. Stop lying. | Started by: Alfieri on Dec 17, '07 04:58 |
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As he slipped the last button of his jacket into the corresponding buttonhole, Alfieri stepped out of the car that had brought him to the more shady area of town, accompanied by James Viacelli, his most capable bodyguard. Viacelli led the way towards a heavy metal door near the end of the street, which he knocked twice. A small slit at the top of the door opened, revealing two dark brown eyes behind them, before it quickly slid shut again followed by the sound of locks being opened. Only a second later, the door swung open and Alfieri and Viacelli stepped in. After a few greetings and handshakes, Viacelli took his place at the side of Alfieri, who sat at a small round table in the middle of the area. Alfieri stood up and claimed the attention of those present in the speakeasy.. "Friends, a quote has been the subject of my thoughts over the most recent hours of the day and to be a little less harsh on it, I'll just say that it has perplexed me. I don't remember the quote word for word but summarized it said something along the lines of doing things the right way and doing things the wrong way. The idea of this discussion is not to argue about the quote, what it said, or who said it, but rather to argue the relevance of the previous statement. Is there a right way or is there a wrong way? The answer to me is simple. None. There are no correct paths, no incorrect paths, there are only results. The outcome of the paths that one chooses to take are ultimately what will decide whether it was wise to take that path or not. That may seem contradicting, I know, but it's not until you have chosen the path that you wish to take and travelled it that you realize whether this was the correct decision or not, therefore it is almost impossible to define the right and wrong ways to conduct business. If you take a look at all the greats of the past, there is no single story that can define how they rose to the power and status that they obtained. Results are the defining element in the judgement of our success and I'd approach any theory of success with severe trepidation as our past has proved that it's quite evident there is no given formula for power. I am a man, I am a mind, and success will be evaluated by the decisions I make." Alfieri sat down, allowing any of the men present in the speakeasy to take the floor... |
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Most of what you said was quite abstract, so you probably didn't consider all the different ways it could be interpreted. There are some things which are definately the right way, and some things which are definately the wrong way. The things which fall into those categories are the foundations of which La Cosa Nostra was built upon. Is there one right way to rise to power? Probably not. But respecting the code of Omerta is one thing that is definately the right way to do things. Obeying your Boss is the right way to do things. Respect for the position of Mademan is the right way to do things. Testifying against another mobster is the wrong way to do things. Trusting outsiders with family business is the wrong way to do things. Causing problems with other families at the peril of your family is the wrong way to do things. So, while there may not be a formula for success that everyone should follow, it is too broad of a statement to say that there is no right way or wrong way to do things. Tradition weighs heavy in this life of ours. Our values were passed down from hundreds of years ago, by farmers in Sicily, and we got to where we are today by respecting those traditions and values that are inherent in this thing of ours. |
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| Reply by: KevinTheCat at Dec 17, '07 05:52 | |
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A persons identity puts them on there own path and its the factors which shape a persons identity for example ambition, experience, morals and the surrounding culture which determine there path. You could say there is no "one wright path" put there are morally right and wrong decisions which determine whether a path chosen was the correct one the view of the people on outside depends on what they morally think is right and whether if they were in the same situation they would do the same? There's my addition for day. |
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| Reply by: Epic at Dec 17, '07 06:06 | |
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Some people believe in fate, that things happen for a reason. I don't. I think that the path you take is shaped for you, not only in your actions but the actions of others. There may well be instances where someone might say that they made a bad decision and could have delt with a situation better but I dont believe this makes it the wrong decision. Through every choice we make we shape our lives and the lives of others around us. I like to think of it like the butterfly effect. Any small decision you make can massively change the future through cause and effect. It's impossible to judge what the effect of your actions will have in the long run so therefore it would be impossible to make a decision that is deemed correct. At the end of the day we deal with things, we make choices, and those choices affect our lives. Noone is right or wrong. |
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| Reply by: Louis at Dec 17, '07 06:33 | |
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There is a right way to do things. The right way is with class and strong leadership. Both are equally important, if you have no class then all of your actions will be dragged threw the mud, as they should its not the right way to do it if you have no class. If your actions don't involve strong leadership then they wont be dragged threw the mud but rather your face will find a final place in the mud. With those in mind then you can find the right way in this world. |
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| Reply by: St_Stephen at Dec 17, '07 10:35 | |
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Zig-Zag stands hmph.. WHAT NOW?!? I'm just sick of you introducing me like that.. It's so plain. OH FINE! Jeessh.... How about this: As the roar of people talking at once echo's through the streets, Zig-Zag waits for the chatter to die dow... That's so Faulkner... try something else... Oh good lord. *sighs* Ok, fine. It was a dark, dreary day, rain falling fro... Too much of a Poe feel... Oh bloody hell. SHUT UP! LET ME DO THIS MY WAY DAMN IT! FINE! Zig-Zag stands, liste... oh fuck it all. SPEAK DAMN YOU FUCKING SPEAK: Yea, there's no right or wrong way. I agree with that. As I think you were pointing out that right or wrong is an opinion. What's right to one, may be wrong to another, but if the outcome is a good thing--which is also an opinion thing--then it shouldn't matter. |
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| Reply by: Zig-Zag at Dec 17, '07 10:59 | |
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I think theres obviously a wrong way. The next time someone dies because they're a disrespectful loser you can assume that they did things the wrong way. As for there being a right way... You can make a case both ways but personally I believe that you can generalize the "right path" into the general characteristics of any successful person, hardworking, loyal, and so on. As with most things like this there is no general handbook on it though so each person needs to find their own right path in order to be successful. Thats how I feel about it at least. |
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| Reply by: Southsider at Dec 17, '07 11:19 | |
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| There is no right way or wrong way to do things, there is only the successful way. One time you may do something and it may work and the next it may not. In my families many many years in This Thing of Ours we have seen many ways to power, and not all of them where ways most of you would consider to be "Right". So i would have to agree with you on this Alfieri. The ways to power are infinite and may not always work for your children. Its all about circumstances, if you can find your way through the circumstances and do the right thing at the right time you will have your chance at glory. If you do the wrong thing you will probably end up with the fishes. | |
| Reply by: KingTheSaviour at Dec 17, '07 11:44 | |
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Essentially, you are arguing that the ends always justify the means. So, Alfieri, in your eyes are these statements correct?: 1. Slavery is justified if it allows the economy to grow. 2. Torture is justified if it leads to a conviction. 3. Killing innocents is justified as long as it leads the war to an end. 4. Disrespect is justified as long as it leads to greater personal power. 5. Being disloyal to your boss is justified if it leads to greater personal power. If you disagree with any of these statements, then you actually do believe there is a right and wrong way to go about things. |
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| Reply by: Olivero at Dec 17, '07 12:14 | |
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| Olivero mate, number 4 never leads to anything. If you openly show disrespect you will be killed and then you wont get any more personal power. The other 4 however do work though i don't recommend most of them. The first is outdated and wouldn't work anymore. | |
| Reply by: KingTheSaviour at Dec 17, '07 12:22 | |
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| You've missed the point, King, it's not about whether it works or not, it's the principle. IF being disrespectful somehow were to lead to greater personal power, does that justify being disrespectful? | |
| Reply by: Olivero at Dec 17, '07 12:29 | |
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| In some cases yes, If you win then it does. If you loose then it doesn't. History is after all Written by the Winners. | |
| Reply by: KingTheSaviour at Dec 17, '07 12:33 | |
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