Redtree Times

Archaeology: A New Wind (2009)

How sweet it would be to live in society if the exterior appearance was always an image of the heart’s tendencies, if decency were virtue, and if our maxims were our rules of action.

–Jean-Jacques Rousseau, First Discourse (1750)

A little over a week back, I had a post here called The Exception and the Rule that was basically about how things are turned upside down when what was once the unacceptable aberration becomes the norm and what was once considered normal behavior becomes deviant.

Sin becomes virtue and virtue becomes sin. The seven deadly sins–-pride, envy, wrath, gluttony, lust, sloth, and greed— rule the roost while the seven cardinal virtues— chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility— are sent away to wander as exiles in the desert.

Kind of like now.

You know what I’m talking about.

Unfortunately, it is not unique to this time and place. As Rousseau wrote over 275 years ago, human society has always known the topsy turvy nature of virtue and sin. There have always been those who would deceive and exercise a cruelty born of greed. Those whose only rule is to do whatever serves their best interests.

You know what I’m talking about.

It certainly would be sweet to live in a world where you didn’t wonder about what evil motivation lurked behind a smile. A world where decency was the primary goal for everyone and wise words guided our every action.

I don’t know that any of us can fully live up to the standard Rousseau wished for. And the few that do, stand out like beacons of hope in this often dark world. People who let us know that we can exist without the world distorting and twisting away the goodness within.

That the virtues should be the rule, not the exception.

We lost one of those rare beacons when Dolly Parton died yesterday at age 80. I am usually not moved by the deaths of famous folks. Death is part of the deal, after all. It comes for us all at some point. However, the death of anyone, famous or not, leaves a hole in this world for those left behind. But losing a person like Dolly Parton hurt a bit more than I thought it would. It leaves a bigger hole in this world. Takes away some of the light.

It broke my heart. The death of any person whose whole being is comprised of decency and compassion, someone who diligently used the soapbox granted to her by her fame to uplift others, someone who made helping others from all walks of life her own life’s mission, is a loss for us all.

I think Dolly Parton may be remembered as much for the good works she pursued as for her immense talent as a performer and songwriter.

And isn’t that the way it should be? Shouldn’t that be the rule and not the exception?

I think that Rousseau would agree that a society made up of Dolly Partons would be a sweet one indeed.

Here are a couple of songs from Dolly. The first is a favorite of mine, Don’t Let It Trouble Your Mind. The second is from the award-winning guitarist Bill Mize who I have featured here several times, including this beautiful interpretation/arrangement of her song, Light of the Clear Blue Morning. His sharing of this song online yesterday was how I heard of her death and listening to it made me a bit teary.

Good travels, Dolly…