Hagrid and Snape: Was Snape, Apologies, and Redemption

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 152811

Leslie41:
> 
> Yes, exactly.  "Nice" is defined as "pleasant or pleasing or 
> agreeable in nature or appearance".  Snape's not "nice".  He's 
> most definitely unpleasant and disagreeable.  But the word "nice" 
> has little meaning in a moral sense.  One can be very "nice" and 
> not be good at all.        
  

And therein is the problem, because many of us simply don't agree 
that "nice" and "good" are not the same thing.  Or let me put it 
another way -- one can be nice without being good.  However, I 
really don't think it's possible to be good without being nice.  

And that is where the question of whether Snape can ever be 
admirable or deserve to be praised comes in, doesn't it?  I would 
say most definitely NO.  Because, you see, I think some of use do 
hold that nice VERY DEFINITELY has meaning in the moral sense.  And 
a person who abuses children simply can never be seen as good, or 
admirable, or worthy of praise.

And thus we stand on the bridge, with one side saying 
passionately  "nice is not the same thing as good" and the others of 
us saying with unmovable firmness "oh yes it most certainly is."


Lupinlore