IRJ#22
Hospitality: Cool Party, Awesome Reputation, Severe Competition
In the Odyssey, a book written by Homer, hospitality undertakes an important role. When Athena came to Telemachus’s home disguised as a stranger, Telemachus said to the “stranger”, “Greetings, stranger! Here in our house you’ll find a royal welcome. Have supper first, then tell us what you need.” (Odyssey 81). Like most rich people at the time, Telemachus probably did not care about the well being of his guest. He acted generously and kindly to help build his reputation and so that word of his hospitality could spread.
When we do good deeds, we do not stop to think whether or not we are helping others. We think of the prizes and rewards that will come through our kind actions, and most of all, we care about our reputation. We think that others will look up to us as great people and that others will strive to become more like us. But instead of appreciating others’ love, our human nature urges us to compete with them and show that we can be just as good-natured as they. We need to stop trying to impress others, and we should look to our hearts for answers.
Proposition: Even though many people are always looking to compete with us, we need to set our own limits and do what we think is right.
