Nice vs good was Re: Favorite Snape Scenes

[kempermentor]

No: HPFGUIDX 122582


 Nora wrote:
> So I would say that yes, a person must be genuinely nice--that is 
> to say, treat other people with respect for their subjectivity--to 
> *be*a good person.
> 
> Pippin responded:
> My problem here is that  in some cases, consideration of other 
> people can be  so effortless  that it may not be a good indication 
> of  how much  someone would actually put themselves out for 
> another person. 
> 
> Such people can be  full of  genuine warmth and helpfulness 
> until it's going to cost them something they don't want to give; 
> then, somehow, they don't perceive the need, or pretend that they 
> don't. Think of Lupin, deciding  that he knows nothing useful 
> about Sirius, or Fudge deciding to believe Rita Skeeter instead of 
> Dumbledore.
> 
> On the other hand there are people who require tremendous 
> effort to be civil, much less nice, but who are determined to use 
> the skills they do have for others benefit. I would put Snape in 
> that category.

Kemper now:
I agree with Pippin.  I am reminded of a story from the Bible.  I 
think Jesus was telling it.  The gist of story is that shoppers in a 
market would go to very pleasant, personable merchants to buy thier 
goods and avoid this one particular merchant who had bad customer 
service.  The pleasant merchants would cheat their customers and the 
mean merchant was honest.  

This got me to thinking about teachers who we like.  I began reading 
year 5 again and had a horrible thought as I was reading "In The 
Hog's Head".  Hermione is saying that she found nothing in the school 
rules for the group to meet, "we not out-of-bounds; I specifically 
asked Professor Flitwick if students were allowed to come in the 
Hog's Head..."(336, US hard).  How did an eveasdropper come to be at 
the Hog's Head?  Was it coincidence?  

Someone, please respond.  I like Flitwick and eagerly want to be 
wrong. 

Kemper