I have a motto. My question: do you agree?

Question

My motto: It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

I say this because I feel that life is too short to constantly ask "Should I do this?" everytime you think of something. Within reason of course. I'm not gonna go out and kill someone due to this motto or anything. But i mean, y'know, for everyday life, I feel it's pretty good. Any opinions?

Ok, the motto which I live by is "Better to ask forgiveness than permission". I had posted this earlier but I guess people took it the wrong way. No, I'm saying I came up with it. I'm not patenting it or anything. But it doesn't mean what the words mean literally. The ways I use it means: I believe it's better to do somethng and accept the consequences responsibly rather than worry about getting in trouble and end up not doing it.

Answer 1

I'm a libertarian, I believe in "live and let live." So long as your actions do no harm to others (either physically, or to their property, or to their freedom to likewise do as they please), then you should be free to live and do whatever you like.

If however you find it necessary to ask for forgiveness, that's a pretty good indicator that you've done harm to another.

People who aren't familiar with libertarianism often confuse it with being a libertine, when the two are actually opposites. A libertarian does as he pleases, but is responsible toward others. A libertine does as he pleases without regard to how it affects or may harm others.

I agree you shouldn't have to ask permission to do a lot of things you should be free to do, but at the same time you shouldn't be doing things that require you to ask forgiveness afterward.

Answer 2

Sounds like you're trading fear for guilt.

Asking permission is about respect, so as long as you respect somebody, you should ask permission.

However, if you don't respect somebody, then you won't really care about their forgiveness.

Personally, I feel that this motto will only hold true if you surround yourself by people you don't respect... in that case, I think you will miss on some great opportunities to form some deep personal relationships with people you trust.

So, I respectfully disagree with your motto.

Answer 3

It's a good thought but to claim it is "your motto" is to suggest that you thought of it. Numerous people have stated "your" motto long before you did.

"It is easier to get forgiveness than permission." - Colin Powell (paraphrased from "It's much easier to apologize than it is to get permission." - Admiral Grace Hopper)

So, it's like someone saying, my motto is: "take everything, give nothin' back." It's useful, but it lacks any originality.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

It's easier that's for sure. My friends motto is: It's is better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6. Some say: Better safe than sorry. I say: Live and let live. You do your thing I'll do mine.

Answer 6

So if it's not good to say," Should I do this?" you're more willing to say, "I'm sorry I did that." Personally, I prefer to count the cost of my decisions before making them. Not saying your idea is wrong, just my way of looking at things.

Answer 7

you mean you go on and experience anything you'd like ; if it was wrong you beg for forgiveness.
And if it is repeated too much, do u think people forgive you readily?
then your next motto would be:
I ask for forgiveness, don't care people forgive me or not!

I loved your frankness, anyhow.

Answer 8

::sigh:: well well well...you just had to ask this question...didn't you?

Well, I agree that there are certain things that one should just do...and accept the consequences...little things...but, and you must agree with me, that doing very severe things, like murdering and stealing, etc, are wrong...but if you are willing to accept the consequences...then so be it.

I'm not gonna tell someone how to live their life...it's your life...live it how you want.

Answer 9

If you thought of that originally, I'd have to say it's pretty good. I don't think I've ever heard anything quite like that.

Answer 10

Sounds as though you know what you want, have made your choice to try it.

Nothing to keep you from changing your mind later if you don't like the results.