Once upon a time, in a conversation with a friend, I realized he and I had very different understandings of that saying.
I’ve wondered which meaning most people put to the adage. (And, of course, there may be readings different from either of hours..)
Do you find one of these to be more copacetic with your own interpretation?
1. If your intentions are good but you seek to achieve them by means that are bad, your essential nature nature is bad, not good, and you are worthy of punishment.
2. If your intentions are good but you do nothing to achieve them, you are by nature no better than if your intentions were bad.
Just curious.
And by the way, the expression is not from Shakespeare or the Bible… and in its current form it first appeared in the mid-19th century. Its ultimate origin is unknown.
Ok, a question about the devil. He is all about evil and trying to influence people to do evil. But if you do evil you are sent to him so he can torture you. Why would he punish you for doing exactly what he wanted?
Science Fiction short from my yout, I think it was “The Hell-Bound Train”. Guy makes a deal with the devil. He is given a special watch in exchange for his soul. I won’t spoil it, but he makes good use of the watch…
The saying is referring to the literal hell (not “hellish” backlash). It is based on the premise that it is not enough to simply mean to do well, one must take action. A good intention is meaningless unless it is followed by a good action. This would apply whether one believes that a person’s destiny is determined by good or bad works (rather than mere good intentions), or if their destiny is determined by repentance and faith (merely intended to do so is not enough.)
While everyone is busily paving the road to hell with good intentions, what about The Stairway to Heaven? Located in Ha`ikū, Kane`ohe, O`ahu, a metal stairway built by the US Coastguard in the 1940’s for WWII efforts has 3922 metal steps from the valley floor to one of the highest peaks in the Ko`olau Mountains, from which you can view the Windward side of the island in all its glory. (check out the links for photos!)Originally designated the Ha`ikū Stairs, hikers have referred to it as The Stairway to Heaven due to the beauty that unfolds as you climb to the top.The Friends of Haiku Stairs has for years been fighting to save the stairs, while the City and State has been trying to tear it down. Just recently, a minor Honolulu City official (Esther Kia`āina) surreptitiously slipped a million dollar line item into a city Bill 7 (2021), CD1 to remove the Stairway to Heaven and deny residents and visitors from this fabled attraction. I’m sure she did this with ‘good intentions.’ /s
BE THIS GUY about 3 years ago
At least the trip should be pleasant even if the destination isn’t.
The One follower about 3 years ago
third!!!
BasilBruce about 3 years ago
Sing along with Basil: “I’m on the highway to Hell . . .”
Pilly the Almighty Teddy Bear about 3 years ago
Pig speaks the truth.
Templo S.U.D. about 3 years ago
Imagine this conversation happening in a certain Michigan town
sirbadger about 3 years ago
Some people would like to see the Grim Reaper’s wagon to break down on the way to hell.
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member about 3 years ago
I guess: do really hell (and heaven) really exist? I do not think so.
Wilde Bill about 3 years ago
If the road wasn’t so smooth, the devil couldn’t persuade so many people to take it.
Imagine about 3 years ago
You have to work for the good stuff.
blunebottle about 3 years ago
Pig’s logic is beyond reproach.
Bilan about 3 years ago
The road has to be paved, your bucket doesn’t have shocks on it.
Robin Harwood about 3 years ago
The road to Hell is more important than your street, Pig. Much more traffic.
ronaldspence about 3 years ago
Like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic!
jimmjonzz Premium Member about 3 years ago
Once upon a time, in a conversation with a friend, I realized he and I had very different understandings of that saying.
I’ve wondered which meaning most people put to the adage. (And, of course, there may be readings different from either of hours..)
Do you find one of these to be more copacetic with your own interpretation?
1. If your intentions are good but you seek to achieve them by means that are bad, your essential nature nature is bad, not good, and you are worthy of punishment.
2. If your intentions are good but you do nothing to achieve them, you are by nature no better than if your intentions were bad.
Just curious.
And by the way, the expression is not from Shakespeare or the Bible… and in its current form it first appeared in the mid-19th century. Its ultimate origin is unknown.
dadoctah about 3 years ago
It has to be smooth. Otherwise things will fall out of your handbasket.
Procat Premium Member about 3 years ago
There is a town named Hell in Michigan, near Ann Arbor
Gent about 3 years ago
It’s no mere road to hell, Pig. It’s a highway.
Troglodyte about 3 years ago
So repair your street, Pig. One good intention at a time…
Masterskrain Premium Member about 3 years ago
Pig actually makes a LOT more sense then a lot of people give him credit for….
wrd2255 about 3 years ago
The road in front of their house is paved with bad indentations.
Zebrastripes about 3 years ago
PIG will never get the true meaning…of anything.
Ellis97 about 3 years ago
And you go to Hell before you die.
1953Baby about 3 years ago
Ah, the philosophical imponderables. . .
SALUDADOG about 3 years ago
What is the road to Purgatory paved with? Or more grammatically, with what is the road to Purgatory paved?
pheets about 3 years ago
I suppose it is a fair question..
Doug K about 3 years ago
An application? “I thought that Allah was a real god, that Muhammad was his prophet, and that the Koran was a true revelation from God.”
Jeffin Premium Member about 3 years ago
Those hand baskets are fragile.
Carl Rennhack Premium Member about 3 years ago
www.helltruth.com
deojaideep aka Courage about 3 years ago
We have roads in between potholes. Now the condition has slightly improved!
chris_o42 about 3 years ago
Love this! Good points Pig!
A random Pearls Before Swine & Big Nate commenter about 3 years ago
I at least want to have a few minutes of pleasure time before eternal torture.
ILK about 3 years ago
Ok, a question about the devil. He is all about evil and trying to influence people to do evil. But if you do evil you are sent to him so he can torture you. Why would he punish you for doing exactly what he wanted?
Mr. Snuffles about 3 years ago
My streets don’t have potholes. Oh no…
zwilnik64 about 3 years ago
Hand baskets don’t have very good suspension, Pig.
rshive about 3 years ago
In some places, I guess that potholes pass as good intentions.
Goat from PBS about 3 years ago
First, let’s answer the serious questions. Like why does no one (including myself) in this strip hold a mug by the handle?
Packratjohn Premium Member about 3 years ago
" I may be going to hell in a bucket. But at least I’m enjoying the ride" – G. Dead
AtariDragon about 3 years ago
The road to hell gets paved before your potholes are fixed because people who decide which roads are paved are headed that way.
raybarb44 about 3 years ago
As less and less believe in Hell than “who cares” is an appropriate question……
Packratjohn Premium Member about 3 years ago
Science Fiction short from my yout, I think it was “The Hell-Bound Train”. Guy makes a deal with the devil. He is given a special watch in exchange for his soul. I won’t spoil it, but he makes good use of the watch…
jimboklein about 3 years ago
If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, what is the Pennsylvania Turnpike paved with?
WoodenNickel1 about 3 years ago
You would try to draw the uniforms for the little league team sponsored by Brown’s Barber Shop, Stephan ‘Moe’ Pastis.
Mentor397 about 3 years ago
Wasn’t there a Pastis pun strip about the road to hell being paved with ten Shins? Ten chins? Shrug, something like that.
Call me Ishmael about 3 years ago
And there is the cause of the tension/ which nobody seems to mention:/ but we’re probably doomed/ since we’re all consumed/ in a frenzy of dissension.
zeexenon about 3 years ago
Potholes in your street?! My new tires and I won’t be visiting for a while. But you can mail me some chocolate chip cookies.
sergioandrade Premium Member about 3 years ago
The road to Hell is broad and had lillies and primroses along the path, the road to Heaven is narrow and rocky.
hooglah about 3 years ago
Oh….that’s so sweet.
EmilyJohnson about 3 years ago
2
MichaelHutson1 about 3 years ago
“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey…”
NWdryad about 3 years ago
If you’re going to hell in a bucket, really doesn’t matter what the road is.
DCBakerEsq about 3 years ago
Road? I took the on-ramp to the highway.
billdaviswords about 3 years ago
The saying is referring to the literal hell (not “hellish” backlash). It is based on the premise that it is not enough to simply mean to do well, one must take action. A good intention is meaningless unless it is followed by a good action. This would apply whether one believes that a person’s destiny is determined by good or bad works (rather than mere good intentions), or if their destiny is determined by repentance and faith (merely intended to do so is not enough.)
gocomixrocks/the magic beaver cleaver about 3 years ago
this is kinda true anyone else notice that one pothole in your street almost every street has one.
dogday Premium Member about 3 years ago
OK, well I have a question: If hydrogen is highly flammable, and oxygen feeds a fire, how come H2O puts out a fire? (answers NOT required!)
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member about 3 years ago
While everyone is busily paving the road to hell with good intentions, what about The Stairway to Heaven? Located in Ha`ikū, Kane`ohe, O`ahu, a metal stairway built by the US Coastguard in the 1940’s for WWII efforts has 3922 metal steps from the valley floor to one of the highest peaks in the Ko`olau Mountains, from which you can view the Windward side of the island in all its glory. (check out the links for photos!)Originally designated the Ha`ikū Stairs, hikers have referred to it as The Stairway to Heaven due to the beauty that unfolds as you climb to the top.The Friends of Haiku Stairs has for years been fighting to save the stairs, while the City and State has been trying to tear it down. Just recently, a minor Honolulu City official (Esther Kia`āina) surreptitiously slipped a million dollar line item into a city Bill 7 (2021), CD1 to remove the Stairway to Heaven and deny residents and visitors from this fabled attraction. I’m sure she did this with ‘good intentions.’ /s
SAVE THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofHaikuStairs/
https://www.haikustairs.org
Otis Rufus Driftwood about 3 years ago
Another instance of Pig missing the point. But who hasn’t complained about their town not fixing potholes in a timely fashion?
David Henderson about 3 years ago
To me it means trying to do something good but ends up doing more harm that good.
briangj2 about 3 years ago
“O see ye not yon narrow road,
So thick beset with thorns and briers?
That is the path of righteousness,
Tho after it but few enquires.
“And see ye not that braid braid road,
That lies across that lily leven?
That is the path of wickedness,
Tho some call it the road to heaven.
“And see not ye that bonny road,
That winds about the fernie brae?
That is the road to fair Elfland,
Where thou and I this night maun gae.
From “Thomas the Rhymer” Part one, by Sir Walter Scott
Sailor46 USN 65-95 about 3 years ago
The road to Hell is very rarely smooth, and there are several roads in but not one road out.
Sisyphos about 3 years ago
No point in trying to explain this to severely literal-minded Pig. Just let it go and “agree” that he right….
rogthedodge1 about 3 years ago
“The road to hell is a spiral, a mere bent in the straight-and-narrow, but a persistent one.” Phillip Wylie
Mystwalker about 3 years ago
Pig should remember his talk with the devil:https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2004/03/02
PBS1! about 3 years ago
Don’t you mean “Good and ten Chins”? XD