I have a pretty neat discussion idea. And NO, it’s not a right-wing Christian loony topic. (Really, trust me and read the whole post)
We all, pretty much, know about the 10 commandments, right? OK. So, they are divided into two parts.
- The first five, which spell out man’s relationship with G-d (excuse the hypen, Jewish thing).
- The 2nd 5 describe rules for man’s relationship with other men.
Here they are, according to the original, Hebrew:
6 “You shall not murder. (The Hebrew is “murder”, i.e. killing of an innocent. Not do not kill. Hope this helps and sorry to all you KJV adherents.)
7 “You shall not commit adultery. (Have sex with someone else’s wife or unmarried daughter. Again, the original Hebrew definition)
8 “You shall not steal. (i.e., TAKE other people’s stuff)
9 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (to “witness”, i.e. testify, falsely)
10 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
OK, clear?
Now, these look like pretty good rules. Don’t murder, commit adultry, don’t steal, don’t lie in court (that is what it actaully means, in the Hebrew, but you could also say, don’t lie when your lie will hurt others).
Then there is the last.
Covet:
transitive verb 1 : to wish for earnestly <covet an award>
2 : to desire (what belongs to another) inordinately or culpablyintransitive verb : to feel inordinate desire for what belongs to another
So, this commandment is the only one (of the last five, dealing with man’s relationship to other men (or women)) that deals not with actions, not with what one does, but with what one feels. To covet is to desire what someone else has. It is NOT about stealing what another guys stuff (Wife, lawnmower, kids, Donkey, big screen TV, inspections, etc) buit about even desiring, envying another persons stuff.
In my humble opinion, the reason for this command is that when one spends their time desiring and envying the other guys stuff, they feel bad. They feel like a failure. What stuff they have is diminished in value because they don’t look at and enjoy and care for and enjoy thier own stuff. In other words, when you “covet” someone elses stuff, you start to make your own life miserable.
Now, there are many inspectors who “covet” other inspectors success. Many new guys (myself included, I will confess) “covet” the success of the older or better or more experienced or more “in” with Realtors or licensed (or un-licensed) or former contractors or more marketing savvy (pick which ones apply for you) inspectors.
Is that coveting causing you to worry more about the stuff (in this case, inspections) that the other guy has than about your own (choose from the previous list) stuff.
Secondly, if one is religious (yeah, I will bring this up,m but only to show another, non-religious point, so bear with me all you atheists) doesn’t it also mean that one cannot be a liberal and accept the 10 commandments (Yeah, I also have brought politics into this, but bear with me for a moment).
If one is a liberal or, as is more politcically correct, these days, “progressive”, then one believes that they can determine, and have government enforce their determination, that some other guy has more stuff than (he needs, he deserves, he knows how to handle, he has “earned” or that he is “entitled” to. Pick those that apply to you.) that is “fair”.
Please remember that the biggest users of this word (fair) are bratty 2 year olds and 16 year old girls when they are informed that they will not get exactly what the want, when they want it and at no cost to themselves. The 2nd biggest user is Jesse Jackson :mrgreen:
Fact: Life is NOT fair. Some people work hard, every day, and never gain. Other’s hardly work at all, and are ill-prepared, and rake in tons of money and buy tons of stuff.
Deal with it.
But, usually, those who work hard and study and prepare and do a better job are worth more to their employers of their clients and make more money. And, they are rightly entitled to the fruits of their labor.
Progressives (who are, usually, very poor producers of value) don’t think this is “fair” and want to confiscate the stuff of others. That is why the U.S. has a “progressive” income tax system.
And, I wouldf posit, that is why some HIs bad mouth other HIs, even when they are both members of the same association (i.e., NACHI).
Being a high profile guy in this area, and knowing many inspectors (NACHI, as well as others) I constantly hear some inspectors slamming other inspectors.
Recently, a long term, experienced and professiona inspector I know (and count as a dear friend) started slamming another inspector (also a NACHI member) to me. The “bill of praticulars” includes lowballing, checklist report, “sucking up” to agents and “investor” clients, stealing clients, bad mouthing, etc).
Look, as many of you know, I try to lean towards my “better angels” and help others (CE courses, ride alongs, taking phone calls and questions from other inspectors, etc) and I do not charge or take money to do this (most of the time, there has been some instances).
As such, and I don’t expect or demand that other’s follow my path, I am getting pretty dang sick and tired of being other people’s crying rag.
I would ask that every NACHI member do their best, serve their client as an almost sacred duty of service, never stop learning and always hold out a hand to help others. It blesses others, and G-d blesses you for it (just my opinion). And, as always, I have been greatly blessed by many of you on this board. I only pray that I have given as good as I have received.
So, I ask that all of you stop focusing on what others have (their stuff) and focus on what you can do to improve yourself and the service that you provide to your clients so that you can succeed and get, for yourself, your own stuff!
Thank you for your time.
