The Hidden Cost of Revenge Nobody Talks About
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- If you decide that getting even is going to make you feel better, think again. It certainly won't.
Watch this: • How To Be More Productive
Concentrate of being more productive instead.
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I will never build a spec house or lay 100 yards of concrete, but these topics you often cover are gold. Keep them coming.
I use to believe God does not punish on earth, as I sit back and watch the vengeful get punished I realize that most never grow up and never actually earn the label of men and women just little boys and girls
@Pokingthenear1960, I’ve wondered about God’s punishment and if we are punished on earth for our sins, I’m not sure what I’ve been gone through in my life would cover the punishment due. I’ve changed those thoughts a little and now I wonder whether my troubles here will count against what I need to pay.
I guess I’ll find out, at my age, sooner rather than later. Lol Have a good one and God Bless.
@@Hoaxer51
The Word tells us we can never repay what we owe, only He who was sent can, in our place. It is a free gift, so that man may not boast in himself, but rely solely on The Righteous Creator.
There is only one way to the Father.
@@Pokingthebear1960There’s no doubt in my mind that I bring difficulty on myself by my sins, but the most amazing thing is, that when I give up my rebellion then such sweet Grace comes in to fill the void. I wonder why I ever would harbor sin ever again, but yet, I do
@@Pokingthebear1960 i say the same thing but with different wording in that the majority of people you meet on a daily basis never matured past highschool
I love how self aware & humble you were when you delivered this message. I don’t like when people get ‘preachy’ but you have such an elegant way of laying things out in a manner that people can relate to without feeling like they’re being talked down to. Great job Scott.
I actually did find it a bit preachy at times. There were a few little digs at those who are atheist, agnostic or just not Christian. Talking about Jesus: "Even if you can't acknowledge him as divine (even though he is!), even if you can't take that message in exactly the way that your friends and neighbours would like you to...". Come on. That's basically saying "even if you are too dumb to appreciate the truth that the rest of us can clearly see...". I found it quite patronising way he refers to those of us who aren't believers as though we CAN'T accept the truth, rather than because we have educated ourselves and have Simply reached the considered conclusion that the concept of God/Christianity isn't convincing enough.
My favorite quote from Reinhold Niebuhr is, "Forgiveness is a gift we give to ourselves". Your message is so spot on. Thank you for sharing.
I really love that you recognize the best tool in the toolbox for a tradesman is his character ,and the quality that comes out of being free from offense. Thank you sir.
people buy people first before they buy your skill
Humanity needs leadership like you
*discipleship.
Aka discipline.
Not enjoyable at the beginning, but righteously rewarding in the end.
This person sets an example to all of us:
Put down the remote (stop wondering about the Kardashians or watching "The Masked Singer" or FOX News), limit your time on social media platforms, go out more in nature, never stop learning and taking courses, and be very discerning on the books you read - and absolutely read more!
“Revenge is like a boomerang. Don’t use it.”
-My Grandfather
Grandparents are amazing source of advice
What do you call a boomarang that desn't come back? .. A Stick.
Revenge has plagued the Black community for generations
That’s a good one
@@bengordon4151 Speak softly and carry a big stick.
I’m basically an agnostic who still believes in the teachings of Jesus, but you just took me to church, EC. I love it when you post videos like this. You reached me. Thank you.
Jesus teaching are great but more importantly, the overwhelming evidence points to him being God.
“I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren't true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn't keep a lie for three weeks. You're telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”
Here's something for you to think about. You believe in the teachings of Jesus but you are ignoring what He taught about Himself. He is either liar, lunatic or Lord. Pick one. He claimed to be God and that He rose from the dead. He claimed to have ALL power and authority and claimed to exist before Abraham 1700 years before! I pray that you would find the truth about Him before it's too late. God bless.
You should read the gospel for yourself if you havent yet. The book of John is very short. It really is way more beneficial to read it yourself than to just hear it at a church. If you do, ask God to help you understand. it will help a lot.
It's always possible for someone to tell lies about them self but speak truth about the world. Or if he was deluded about his divinity that doesn't mean he can't also be wise. Just because his teachings have value doesn't prove he is divine. @@mattdillon4398
I have to admit that this is the FIRST time that I have listened to your words regarding scripture, and our purpose on this earth.
Your words were profound, and easy to understand.
I am a person that is guilty of holding grudges. I have tried to forgive, but I do NOT FORGET!
But your words have started me thinking. Thank you.
Ditto Lonnie
"Blessed are the peacemakers..."You've touched on a topic I've wrestled with most of my 77 years. My conclusion at this time is that a distinction must be made between personal injury, and injustices done by others to others. Hopefully we all grow as we age to suffer offenses with grace and mercy (knowing that we have offended others and desire the same). At the same time, we are not to turn a blind eye to the injustices in the world around us. Those who know the Prince of Peace are best equipped to weigh situations and respond appropriately. God grant us the faith, wisdom, and courage to do so.
Not even 10 seconds in and i know it's going to be shared with everyone i know that needs to see it. Thank you and God bless you Scott for the invaluable lessons you teach
I really enjoy listening to a wiseman like you these days. We really need it......
I love how you weave essential insights into how to craft a rich life into the content aimed at crafting beautiful and lasting things.
"Give up the idea that exacting revenge will ever bring peace,because it won't".I love this guy,thinking and believing the things that he does,and not afraid to make a public video expressing it.A fellow tradesman,too.
Been following you for years, Scott, good stuff. I have heard it said that holding a resentment, or grudge, in your example, against another person is like taking the poison and hoping that the other person dies. I have been a Jack of all trades myself which has served me well Keep up the good work, you are a gentleman and a scholar. Love the quote, Your best revenge or defense is living well.
Your words, coming from a craftsman and businessman, landed more powerfully on me than if they had come from a preacher. (No disrespect at all to preachers, but they're EXPECTED to say things like that.) Thanks for having the courage and humility to say something important in a forceful way that doesn't sound judgey.
absolutely agree; i think it's because most preachers nibble around the edge of living out in the real world with the daily grind
A preacher that leaves home at 18 to go to seminary, and enters the ministry at 22 knows nearly nothing about the world. They know little of the actual struggles real people deal with every day. I will put 100X more stock in a sermon from a craftsman, than I will from a modern day pharisee.
In a sense, Scott is a preacher. He is, or was in the Stake Presidency for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I could listen to him ALL day!!!!
Great wisdom, Scott! When my Dad would patiently listen to someone insult, berate him or just spew nonsense, he would always tell me to not "dignify them with a response".... Many times, people look to anger us to get a reaction or attention. My experience was to just quietly walk away from them, and boy it really made an impression. (I know this because people would come back to me and tell me.) You don't get into the weeds with them, and you keep your peace of mind. Everyone always feels the need to respond to things, but you can just walk away - it speaks louder than you can imagine!
That's exactly what my parents told me. Not reacting is really the best revenge because that's all the other person often wants-to get under your skin. Making them think you don't care, or even notice drives them crazier than anything. No, it's not in line with being your best self or being kind or compassionate but it works. It also gives you the chance not to say the thing that can't be unsaid.
I went through a series of toxic relationships that i ended and boy did the other individuals come at me for revenge. The first of those angered my friends and family, but while I sat in a cell waiting to see if charges would be pressed (thankfully the accusations were recognised as the vengeful fantasies they were), I didn't feel anger or resentment. Never have. My overriding emotion was pity, at least initially, and then from that forgiveness. That this other person who I had tried my hardest to grt along with, could be driven to such an act of revenge, meant there was a darkness playing out in their personal psychology, childhood trauma in this case. And so how can one be angry with a wounded child? I was blessed with a stable and loving childhood. And so I pushed past pity to forgiveness. They could be anyone other than who they are. None of us can. And so we need to forgive ourselves and others when things go south. A later relationship ended with a social media smear campaign against me. This angered me more because I'd put 5 years into the relationship, compromising and deviating from my true path in life. On reflection I think I was manipulated by a narcissist (pun intended). But a little more time went by and I realised that it was the same story. An unstable childhood, an unloving parent... and so I forgive them. Don't grt me wrong, I didnt keep them in my life, but forgiveness is about you not them. It was my seeming waste of effort for 5 years I was sore about. But then I met my wife and we have 2 beautiful children together. Every moment of my past had lead me to the point in time and space where I met my wife, therefore she justifies my very existence. And my path intersected with hers when I learnt to forgive. When I learned to respect myself. And when I learned to let go. And now we take that forward as we raise our kids.
Great video, keep up the good work!
I'm not an atheist, I'm an antitheist but I hear you and I respect you. Wise words come from all sides of any debate. We just have to allow ourselves the opportunity to hear the speaker.
You might be served by looking into simulation theory. We've known for a while the fundamental forces of nature are precisely balanced to allow complex systems and biological life. God, in this scenario, may take the form of a computer programmer as opposed to a burning bush, or a persecuted carpenter. Nonetheless, it's very difficult to argue there's nothing above us.
I'd be very interested to hear how you decide what is wise and what is not.
Good one man. "I was wrong, please forgive me" is such a SELF HEALING thing to say, ever mind the release it gives to the other person. A very good and wise word!
With much respect both professionally and morally,
From one human
From one Christian
From one imperfect
From one always struggling
From one always seeking forgiveness....to another
Sometimes when we're wasting time flipping the pages of You Tube we wonder (as if we don't know) what drove us to stop and listen.
But I did, and I can only say
THANK YOU
People will say stuff like this then turn around and vote for trump. Literal madness
How apropole.
I'm going for a job interview and the guy that had the most experience, but didn't make it through the first round is already on his revenge circle. I'm bringing this energy into the meeting. Thank You.
What you are reminding us all to do is to live life with honor and dignity, and to treat others right. And when we are aggreived, to hold back on petty revenge and become examples of inspiration. That's a pretty good way to live; far less soul-eating anger and angst. I'm a happier man for having adopted that view.
BRILLIANCE. Too many of us love a soapbox, myself included). You have managed to discuss this topic while avoiding a pushy dialog. Just what I needed right now. Thank you.
Words like these always hit hardest when they come from someone as respectable as this.
Thank you, I needed to hear this today.
This man is a father I’ve never had. Thank you for the healing I deeply needed this day. I hope you have a wonderful and long beautiful life. Take care
Thanks!
Thanks
I don't know how it did.... I don't know why it did.... But I absolutely needed to hear this today.
Revenge has been tumbling around in my head over someone purposely hitting me with a car...... And I think this, coupled with some other sentiments, will help me get over it more.... Thank you. 💜
There is joy in helping others, it's called altruism. It helps to volunteer, to do some community service without getting anything back for your time or money beside the joy of helping someone else. I learned this by having kids, and making that sacrifice so they can have a better life. For me, a bit of exercise each day helps alot. Spend some time working on your breathing and living in the moment. I learned that breathing helps, from marksmanship and having to control my body to maintain a consistent sight picture on the target while holding up the rifle. Pulling the trigger is a choice. Welding is very similar. Nobody is perfect, but peace in the moment helps over the long run. Eating an elephant, can be accomplished, one bite at a time. You just have to set aside some time for yourself, to take that time to live in the moment and not live for the past or the future. The hardest part is letting yourself make mistakes, letting yourself be human.
Happy Wednesday!
~Mike
Sir, this post helped me tremendously! Remember to breathe. Thank you!
I had never considered the law of Moses as a step upwards. Very insightful. Great thoughts.
And yet some people are going backwards... degenerating... to the law of the desert and below. Others are funding them and are on the same degenerate journey.
Yes, I'm talking about Zios and their corrupted Western backers.
Two deep, wide graves indeed.
The Essential Craftsman shares the wisdom of our Eternal Craftsman who created us all. God bless you, Scott.
Being able to be an ambassador for the cause and living in peace. Thank you. From Eastern Oregon.
"We forgive others not because they deserve it, but because we deserve peace" I would agree sometimes, especially in the moment, it's easy to feel as you've been wronged and it's okay to allow yourself to feel that but overtime, hanging on to those feelings, plotting or waiting for your time to 'get even' is a road to a diminished life. Revenge never feels as sweat as you imagine it to be because deep in your heart, you realize you've hurt another human being.
Thank you , for addressing this , I grew up with this mentality , but when it really comes down to reality it is so hard to follow through with. My mother's passed away in September as did my relationship with my brother . For some reason he decided to go behind everyone s back and for the lack of vocabulary be greedy towards his siblings . I am struggling daily with at a minimum not trying to think about it or him. This word helps me to refocus on trying to move past the issue and just live life and focus on my immediate family wife and kids .
Brother. I was there. My Mom and Dad died recently, three months apart. My Sister turned out to be a narcissist, which I didn’t even know what that was, but boy did I find out. The sleepless nights. Suddenly waking up at 4 a.m. (on the nights that I did sleep) thinking about all the words she said,the manipulation, and I remember gritting my teeth. I woke up thinking about it. I talked to God about wanting to get over it. To not seek revenge or to be like her. I knew I shouldn’t pray for her demise or to be satisfied when bad things happened to her. It affected me, my family, and my work and I wanted out of it, to heck with the money, it was being taken advantage of by my own flesh and blood, the one that I should trust above all others, that hurt the most. I hope you find peace, I did, finally. In my anguish I wound up gritting my teeth so hard during my sleep, that I wound up breaking a tooth. The root canal and the cap and my bills for it all gave me something else to think about for a while 😅. Don’t be like me. God is watching us, and vengeance is His. Not yours. His vengeance will be just and it will be severe and when you think about that, you actually start to feel pity for them. Your loss will be restored in other ways.
@sport07-o2l thank you that sounds exactly like what I am going through even the tooth.
@@sport07-o2lI had a very similar experience with my sister when my parents died. I finally got to the point that I just prayed for peace for her, in hopes that it would spread to the people that she affected. The things that I worried about then are no longer issues. Good will come to those who do right, just be patient. My wife said " death and money do strange things to people".
With over 50 as a carpenter/ contractor in home remodeling, I stumbled across your videos awhile back. This one touched home for me, as I don't recall ever seeking revenge, but I probably thought to myself a few times that maybe someday someone else would come along and treat them as I had been treated.
Peace and Joy to you this New Year ✨️!
Well said! Revenge poisons the soul. You end up hurting those you do love and those that need you, simply because you are focused on revenge. I now find myself praying that I may not mimic the actions that have hurt me, and I offer my hurt as a means to heal those who have hurt others. This is the good work indeed.
Thank you Scott for a wonderful message. I have heard a similar saying about poison and not forgiving. "Its like me drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die". Keep up the good work.
Great video. I recently went through a nasty work situation with a coworker who's fallen off his rocker for one reason or another and has become extremely paranoid and borderline malevolent. After turning my cheek a couple times, I decided it was better to take a transfer than to start down the path of revenge. I remember my younger days in the yard when I'd knuckle up with someone to sort out a problem but I'm much more at peace moving on. You're a great teacher.
Ive had the book "Aphorisms of Confucius" for years that my mom gifted me, i read it every once in a while and its a great one.
Didnt realize this would be a philosophy channel but here we are! Thank you for all your thoughts and lessons that you share with us. I enjoy the videos and it genuinely makes my day better when i watch them. Hope you have a good day and a good year ahead.
This was a timely topic for me...I'm just about at my 67th time around the sun and have struggled with this conundrum most of my life. For the most part the good side of me has won the battle. I'm over five years into a bitter divorce and have had more than half of my pension and assets taken away ....this is the toughest test yet of my righteousness. Thanks again for the well timed post.
Very timely for me Scott. Although I’m not one to take revenge, it’s probably because I’m just not a fighter. But to hold a grudge, yes I too struggle with that. And in all honesty, I’m currently struggling because my dog was poisoned a year ago.
Thank you for posting this. I’m going to have to let it go…. But it is so very hard. I loved my dog. And she was young. It’s hard to let go of this grudge.
Just such an evil act.
My pup deserved
better. And she
suffered so much.
I know I truly need to work on letting go of this resentment. But I tell you… it is hard.
Thanks again for posting. I love your channel.
Amen good sir! I just quoted Galatians 6:7 the other day “Be not deceived, God will not be mocked. For whatsoever a man soweth, tha shall he recieve” thanks for that reminder and inspiration
This is all true and you need to feel it , ego is the only thing that gets in the way. Go into what I’ve been taught late in life, is be is true nature, this is who you really are. I was looking for woodworking videos but stayed to watch because it is important and not talked about. Great job!
This was like sitting down with Grandpa. Wisdom comes through experience but speaking wisdom is also beneficial to those without the benefit of years. Everyone should hear this and take it to heart. Thanks!
This is very profound; I’ve always thought of “an eye for an eye” as being about justice, I’ve never seen it as a limiter for escalation.
That's how a pastor explained it to me.
Coming into my 50’s I can appreciate The Book as the key to life, but I’m glad to experience eternal insight in secular wisdom. This summer, I read Marcus Aurelius… and the note on my journal reads … the best revenge, is not to be like your enemy. Fascinating that a stoic would take that to heart.
My dad was taken from us when I was 10 yrs old. Im now 50. My mom never remarried, she focused her time and all her love on raising 5 kids. I missed having a good earthly father figure. I have 3 kids that I've been blessed to raise, Being a good father is a hard job, and very necessary in our culture. Thank you for taking part in that role even for myself.
Wish I could adopt you as my dad. I could've learned a LOT from you that would've saved me 25 years of anguish and bitterness. Thanks for sharing.
Needed this video over a decade ago. Thanks for talking about this subject with incredible wisdom
Scott, I am nearly as old as you are. Things in my life haven't gone so well. Frustration in most areas hasn't led so much to a desire to get revenge, but a feeling of resentment has been my closest companion for too many years. Wishing that people would get what they sowed was a popular topic in my mind.
There are now things wrong with my health that I firmly believe, as direct results of harbouring such thoughts for so long. I finally understand that no one could hold that much bile and spite in themselves toward others without it cankering their own health. It's been a rough few years working this out, and I sure wish this hadn't taken so many years to work through. The best part? Nothing horrid has ever happened to any of those who, in my eyes, did me wrong. Wasted energy because they dont even recall their deeds.
Thanks for your words. They have come to me at a good time.
I agree 100% however there is one aspect in my mind that has and still haunts me to this day, as a client, as an artisan, as a person. The answer to why others feel, and toward me specifically, why did they do to me what they did. As you, I have not sought out revenge, yet I ruminate on what I ever did to deserve their hatred it in the first place. Blessings, you continue to build hope in my shattered life. Jim
So many great lessons across many subject matter areas. Thank you,always, Scott.
Forgiving is healing. The story of Louis Zamperini in “Unbroken” really helped me come to terms with this principle. Louis didn’t start healing and living his best life until he forgave “The Bird” Watanabe (and accepted Christ as his Savior).
I am also a lifelong grudge holder, but the way I have dealt with it, if I have at all, is to understand that I am only responsible for the actions of the person that looks back at me in the mirror. What I choose to do, how I choose to respond is the only thing in my control. My granddaddy told me long, long ago "if you ain't gonna help, then don't hinder".
I'm adding that saying to my memory bank.
Scott, I love you, brother 63, old roofer and still doing it. I love what you preach. Be it building or this right on the head of the nail.
"Never take pleasure in someone else's misfortune" Words from Ed Miller, a Southern Baptist minister, I was 8 years old and those words have been with me all my life.
Once in a while those of us in the trades have something to contribute to the spirituality of the world. You run into these people on the job sometimes. Thanks for this excellent sermon. You are one I would listen to intently during a break. I would certianly watch carefully to see your building methods.
Well said. I struggle greatly with one imparticular betrayal or injustice. As a RC, it's a bit of a comfort to hear your struggle and thought process as it is so similar to mine. We must keep trying to be better, to sow good will.
Excellent sermon. It has taken me my lifetime to slowly evolve into the mindset that the best revenge is no revenge. We are all better when we reach that point. Thanks.
Hey! I’m a low voltage foreman and I found your videos because I thought the carpentry talks were interesting, but this is the good stuff right here. Thank you for the video
Working on it. Started a journal. It has always been my fault. Revenge adds baggage to my brain. It causes me to think more about bad things as opposed to positive things. Focusing on me and what I can do in a positive direction is the most difficult thing for me to do. God bless and thank you for this video.
Real solid, golden advice from the old school. Needs more of it in this world. Its not egotistical its humbling. Turn the cheek!!
The timing of this video could not be more perfectly placed, and your wisdom continues to inspire me to work forward. Thank you for the work that you do.
Also, I try to keep in mind that I can't not think about the pink elephant, once I've thought of it. I have to focus on something else to clear my mind. For me, that is sometimes making a list of things I'm grateful for. Resentment and gratitude don't co-exist well in my mind, so filling up on gratitude will diminish resentment. And, like everything else, it didn't work the first time I tried to focus on gratitude. It turns out that feeling gratitude is a SKILL. It has to be learned and practiced if I want to be good at it, like every other skill.
This is one that I really like, it's amazing how it's helped me go from being a glass-half-empty to glass-half-full person.
Excellent points, certainly true in my personal experience. Someone said, "You can't push darkness from a room, but you can turn on the light!" You can't expect dark thoughts to begone unless you replace them with with something better. Nature abhors a vacuum; so does the mind.
I also know someone who was hated by her unbalanced mother-- chased with a knife and screamed at etc.-- and that situation led to a life of mental illness and receiving further abuse. She took a counselor's advice and started each morning writing down things she could be grateful for. She said after about two years of doing that-- and some days it was WORK-- her mind was rewired and she was free! She still makes sure to practice thankfulness.
Scott: Remarkable that you are spreading the good news of Christ through your channel in a relatable way. God bless you my friend. Scott
God will always provide you with what you need, when you need it most. Thank you EC for being the reminder and deliverer of the message I needed in this season.
Wow! Tell that to the victims of the holocaust. Oh wait -- they are too busy being dead.
Wadsworth, these are my favorites of all of the insights or lessons from this channel.
A sinner saved by grace. A prodigal son.
Keep up the good work!
Wise people are wise, regardless of whether you happen to believe they are more or less divine, perfect or imperfect, than any other person. These words right here are delivered by a very wise person indeed, expressing wisdom hard-earned day after day, hour after hour, and moment after moment, over a life and career of integrity. Thank you, Scott.
A craftsman discussing a carpenter, very appropriate. Thank you for your wisdom but also for your honesty.
I have to continually remind myself of these VERY wise and sage yet many times difficult to observe words from Apostle Paul. "Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:17-21 New American Standard Bible 1995 A very timely and excellent video post Scott! 👍👍
Thank you for sharing this. It was very helpful to me today as I’ve been contemplating revenge against a general contractor who intentionally sabotaged my mother’s plumbing by installing CPVC under a concrete slab in her ranch house (he owed her $18k from a prior botched flooring install and was angry that we made him work it off). I trust that the universe and the almighty creator will take care of him in due time.
Amen Brother! The energy wasted on revenge just makes things worse and gains you nothing...
Good grief Scott W....I surely didn't expect that from you. Im a fairly new & occasional viewer, being attracted to your channel on building things, how stuff works, etc.
I never heard you testify before.
I'd say we be kin on this topic. Well said sir.
In many cases, I see that the person who harmed me is already suffering so much by being who they are, that I don’t need to do anything to make their life worse. It’s not always the case, but often.
That is so true, revenge is a poison that slowly eats away at you, the object or your revenge has no idea how you feel, ultimately the only person you hurt, is you........many thanks for taking the time to mkke this, kind regards from cold, damp great britain
The timeless moral maxim 'two wrongs don't make a right' is undeniably, ethically and logically sound. Following it is not only moral, but can keep you out of legal trouble, too.
I deeply appreciate your humility, and I truly appreciateiate the wisdom of your accumulated and well considered experience You have helped me much tonight. . Please allow me to share two thoughts:
- "As you sow, so shall ye reap" is the clearest definition of karma for those of us brought up in western traditions. We are one, they are the same.
-As I understand, the Buddha said, revenge is like throwing hot coals at your enemy. First, you burn yourself when you pick them up.
"Heard some guys on the darkweb..." 😂😂
Thank you for the video; it was much appreciated. I was a bit grumpy with a few contractors today. Listening to your advice has inspired me to be more empathetic tomorrow.
So glad to see you and your videos still going strong. Your delivery is something extra. Very good as usual. Peace, from a very grey Sweden.
I love when the essential skill you address has less to do with the use of tools and is more about honing skill of being human.
Thank you brother in Christ.
For sharing your thoughts and helping me along with future generations. You have touched more lives then you will ever know…….
Thank you for sharing this universal truth and message. One thought: You do believe in a version of Karma. "As you sow, so shall you reap" is an alternative statement of the idea of Karma, though it is within a lifetime rather than in future lifetimes as some interpretations of Karma state. As a further note, beyond the individual: Folks, please consider the self-destructive nature of revenge when considering who should lead in your home, your community, your state, your nation and your world. Appeals to revenge are powerful motivators rooted in our most self-destructive instincts.
Still some of the best information, education, and production. The item looks and sounds great as well as is presented by someone who understands 'presenting'. Thank you for not using a ridiculous 'podcast' mic and being subtle with the clip on. Still would like to hide that as well or use a boom....but enough about me. Thanks for the valuable and wise words. Always a treat to watch!
Hermetic teachings, stoic principals, various eastern religions all lean in the direction of self awareness, and constant improvement. Thanks for your insight.
For me, hate and regret are very similar emotions. They are forever and can eat you up inside. I try to avoid both…
Wanting revenge but not taking it..... been there. Only time makes it better. It can be hard. We're human. Love your talking with us.
My grandma took great care, when talking with me and teaching me about various beliefs (including her own), to say "some people believe X" or "I believe X". That respect for the concept that I may not agree (even as a kid) and that even in certainty and as my elder she could not dictate what Is and Isn't, spiritually speaking, is something precious that allowed me to hear her in ways I might not have. Grandma taught me about the golden rule long before she told me where it was from.
If someone is using a christian parable to talk with me about a greater moral question and they interrupt it with a declaration on, say, the bible being a Real Story That Happened, I feel compelled to stop thinking about the moral question we were engaging and mentally address, let's say, religion as a whole, and that is an unnecessary divide and perhaps prevents me from connecting with the intended topic, and thus growing.
Because ultimately, I think it is not necessary to agree on the reality of the bible in order to connect on some of the wisdom and perspective provided.
Anyway, I'm just sharing my point of view so that you have the tools to connect with me and folks like me (for whatever that's worth!) who try hard to be ethical without being religious, on topics like this.
Cheers and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Very well said, and kudos to your Grandma.
If there was one jarring point in this video for me, it's where Scott (gently) interpreted himself to say "and if you accept that Jesus is divine - _and_he_is_ - ..."
It felt like the thing your wise Grandma would have couched in terms of her own belief. Still, I don't resent anyone their beliefs; I just prefer not to be told what is and isn't true, it lacks humility, that otherwise Scott displays in spades.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Thank you Scott - I’ve watched you for years. I’m a 54yo dad, trying my hardest to raise a family, frustrated at the world and the failures of leadership, fed up with those who seek power over our lives outright rejecting any sense of character and moral code. In the early 00s I was a cop in London and had my faith in doing that job for the right reasons sorely tested. I was idealistic but soon came to see how unrealistic that is in such a job. But I took one lesson from that experience to heart. A quote from a senior officer on my first day: integrity is non-negotiable
Good morning, just watched your video. Thank you for sharing more than your carpentry skills! Your words truly spoke to me this morning! I'm greatful you shared them! Best regards
To move on is to grow. To grow up and mature is to forgive. There is no getting even, you will only tip the scales in your favor until they come back to do the same right back to you later. You have to see a potential ally in every enemy and realize that sometimes it isn't about good and evil, but mere perspective. You have to also consider the possibility that you were the one in the wrong. Honestly and genuinely forgive and befriend your enemy to take away all of their power to hate you and if they still persist in their ways, let them do so pointlessly like a child throwing a tantrum. Any outside viewers will know you are in the right, and that's what counts.
Pure nonsense - justice is an integral part of any society wishing to be fair to each citizen.
I don't think "turn the other cheek" is unpopular...just misconstrued. It doesn't mean to leave threats to you and yours unchecked. That's what it gets confused with, and why it's mostly rejected and unpopular. It means simply don't punish yourself spending time trying to punish your enemies. But I don't think any of these aforementioned wise men meant for us to ignore things that harm us and our loved ones, without confronting and contending with those threats. I think that distinction has to be made to get to the heart of why these words of wisdom are often rejected in the west.
In Middle Eastern culture, in relation to this, one cleans his backside with his left hand. Everything unclean, they do with their left hand. So when an Arab strikes you, they do so with their left hand as to defile you, make you unclean. So by turning the other cheek, they have to strike you with their right hand, thus making the one doing the striking, unclean, defiled, for their right hand has touched the body they just defiled with their left.
In their own culture, they defiled themselves.
Revenge is when you respond to lies with more lies. Defense is when you respond with truth. I'll let the reader ponder cases of violence and war.
Technically, what Jesus was referring to was the Roman way of striking someone(as one who is more powerful or superior to the one who is less important or subservient): to strike with the backhand. It displayed dominance and caused shame on the one being struck. When you turn the other cheek, now the strike has to be with a forehand, as to one who is equal.
Technically... crawl back in your hole 🙄
Amen to your message Brother!
The power of attraction will keep your heart mind and soul healthy.
Thanks for being an open book.
Thank you Scott. Love your take
“As we sow so shall we reap” is the same as the western understanding of “karma”. Keep up the good works
That why I’ve never had an issue with the concept of revenge: someone wronged you, they sowed the seeds, so they get to reap the rewards of their actions.
It’s a blade that MUST cut both ways. If a saying is true, the inverse must also be.
Other people wrong us; it’s okay to wrong others too - just tell them to ‘turn the other cheek!’ right? Tell them ‘don’t seek revenge - it’s unhealthy!’ right?
If no one else ever wronged us, then maybe I wouldn’t believe it’s okay to also be the bad guy from time to time, but we don’t live in a perfect world.
An eye for an eye, and the whole world ends up blind.
Revenge of the type you describe doesn't ever deescalate, so mistakes, fuck ups, errors and the like all end up adding to the harm around us, to us and by us.
Until, that is, wisdom allows us a path upwards, like Scott describes from 'the law of the desert' to 'an eye for an eye' to 'before revenging, dig two graves'.
I've got my eye and ear open to wisdom because I want to live in a better world that doesn't have so much unnecessary hurt.
Thank you so much for sharing these words of wisdom! May God bless you and all who listen to this!
Amen, The Bible teaches us "revenge is The Lord's to decide to do and to do". Now as you said I am a hypocrite at times. For it is easy to let "the old man" have his way instead of the new man Christ makes out of us.(2 Cor 5:17). Thank you for having a Good conversation about the difficulties of life and how to overcome them....
Thank you for being so real! I may be a hypocrite and do it sometimes, but, I rather live a miserable life, than have joy over the misery of others! Again thank you for sharing these insights!
Striding confidently through your elderhood. Well done for doing your bit, man. I don't share your religious beliefs, but that's no matter. This world needs mature and loving leadership, and it's unlikely to come from the tops of the hierarchies we have allowed to arise. Words from a Carpenter; they often do the trick, eh? - one of the reasons that this trade drew me in.
With admiration and brotherly love.
Wow, great post! I've often heard the expression, "forgive and forget," when been done a wrong. And have no real trouble forgiving, but I've always wondered how in the world are you supposed to "forget" whatever it was you forgave? Are you supposed to be stupid? But, then I read Pastor Jon Courson's thoughts on the subject. He wrote that we human beings can forgive but we're incapable of forgetting - only the Lord can truly forget.
I've always interpreted it as 'forget the hurt'.
Forgetting the event would be stupid, for that would be to refuse a possibility of learning.