On being Lucky (was On lying and cheating)

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 165998

Lupinlore:
> Well, that depends on what you mean by a good life. And we are deep 
in the midst of religion, psychology, and yes, superstition here, so 
any
given person almost certainly has contradictory impulses on this 
topic, and the views of any given culture are so layered and 
paradoxical as to
be appreciated best only in things like dreams and poems.

Ceridwen:
I said a good thing in life, but really, sure, I was also talking 
about a good life.  It seems to me that the brilliant people, or the 
people some might envy because of wealth or position or "luck", die 
soon.  Like Mozart, who had all that talent and died young.  It was 
almost as if he had to have that talent and manifest it early because 
he wouldn't live out a normal lifespan.  See?  I can be 
superstitious, too!  ;)

Lupinlore:
> What you say is very true. However, there are also plenty of 
instances in religion and history and literature and culture and, 
well, life, where the opposite is also quite true. That is, where the 
brief, flaming life that might serve an important, even if a minor, 
role in great events and ends in a blood body on a shield is seen as 
much preferable to an ordinary, long, peaceful existance ending with 
a coronary in one's sleep. Many see a brief life in the light, like 
that of James, as preferable and more admirable than a long life in 
shadows, like that of Severus. To press it even further, many deep in 
their hearts see a tragic but noble and powerful journey in the 
light, like that of James, as preferable to a long, honorable, and 
relatively peaceful life like that of Arthur Weasley. There is a 
reason that Achilles chose to go to Troy and embrace death when he 
had been promised a long and happy life if he stayed behind.

Ceridwen:
And yes, there are contradictions in culture for what is the good 
life.  Epics and sagas tell glowing stories of heroes who have their 
burst of glory, then are borne home on their shields.  On the other 
hand, cautionary tales talk about the merits of living wisely and 
well into a ripe old age.

I think there is room for both the meteoric life and the long life, 
and that's why cultures have such contradictions.  It is beneficial 
to the group to have heroes willing to die for the society, or the 
society itself dies.  It is also beneficial to have survivors who 
live into their dotage, to pass on the wisdom they have learned 
through life, and pass down the wisdom that was passed to them by 
those who went before.

So, to my mind, there is room for a James, a Severus, and a 
Dumbledore in society.  James has lived his destiny, and really, at 
around 150 years old, Dumbledore's life was more behind him than 
ahead of him, even in PS/SS.  Severus's story is still on-going.  He 
might live to a ripe old age, imparting the lessons he has learned; 
or he might die in his capacity as a spy for whichever side you 
prefer.

The interesting question about Snape here is, which does he prefer?  
Who does he envy more: James, for dying a hero's death, brought with 
laurels to his final bed?  Or, Dumbledore, who lived his long life 
out, providing continuity and wisdom, and was honored on his funeral 
bier?  Is he cautionary, or epic?

Ceridwen.