To whom much is given, however, much is expected.

[Peregrinator]

I just read that sentence in a Newsweek article (current issue, July2/July 9, page 37).

Does it make any sense at all? I think they mean something along the lines of, "From those to whom much is given, much is also expected," but the editor appears to have dropped the ball on this one.

 

[NewEnglandGirl]

Man, that is too convoluted. Unless they meant the those who receive the most expect the most?

 

[glynndah]

It's one of those sentences where you think "Yeah, I know just what they mean" until you read it a little more carefully or try to explain it and then it makes no sense.

 

[Peregrinator]

Man, that is too convoluted. Unless they meant the those who receive the most expect the most?

Yeah, that's another possibility, but the context leans toward my post. They're talking about stuff they think all Americans should know, and sort of justifying it because we're all so privileged.

 

[atmas]

Seems like a riff on "With great power comes great responsibility."

 

[Peregrinator]

It's one of those sentences where you think "Yeah, I know just what they mean" until you read it a little more carefully or try to explain it and then it makes no sense.

Exactly. My internal editor read it and thought, "Much is expected to? There's a preposition missing somewhere." Then I looked closer, and it was like one of those animated gifs that makes it look like something is spiralling away from you...

 

[bronzeage]

If you delete the however, it makes sence. Without the context, however, it seems out of place.

 

[Recidiva]

I translate this along the lines of "With great power comes great responsibility."

The more resources you control, the more responsible you are for allocating them and using them correctly.

 

[allium]

They just missed out the capitalisation. Much is the name of an elf who is reassigned annually to a different disadvantaged family to help with the cobbling of shoes etc. Unfortunately, Much is a very poor navigator and invariably gets lost on the transfers, leading to the recipient family spending a lot of their Much-assigned period, expecting Much.

Did you not know about him?

 

[Peregrinator]

Seems like a riff on "With great power comes great responsibility."

Probably. That's the general sense from the context:

We do not mean to hector or show off. To whom much is given, however, much is expected. Americans remain rich beyond most of the world's imagination--rich in property, in liberty, in security. None of these things is free, and all are vulnerable, either to market reversals, to grasping leaders, to terrorists. But we cannot survive and thrive if we do not know what the world is like--what it loves, what it hates, and why. In the following pages we hope you get at least a few new glimpses of the world--different angles of vision that reveal things you did not know before, but do now.

Having just typed that, I'm increasingly convinced that it was written by a fourth grade ESL student somewhere.

 

[glynndah]

They just missed out the capitalisation. Much is the name of an elf who is reassigned annually to a different disadvantaged family to help with the cobbling of shoes etc. Unfortunately, Much is a very poor navigator and invariably gets lost on the transfers, leading to the recipient family spending a lot of their Much-assigned period, expecting Much.

Did you not know about him?

I thought his name was "Munch". Maybe a typo there, too.

 

[Wok]

What makes the most sense is perg is a poopyhead.

 

[unregistered]

 

[Flyin_Free]

If you delete the however, it makes sence. Without the context, however, it seems out of place.

Exactly. Without the however it could work.

Was it just a sentence all by itself beside a picture or was it taken out of a paragraph?

 

[atmas]

Probably. That's the general sense from the context:



Having just typed that, I'm increasingly convinced that it was written by a fourth grade ESL student somewhere.

Seems to be brimming with platitude.

 

[Cheyenne]

It sounds like the precursor to a new taxing scheme.

More like a common thought from a church angle.

To whom much is given, much is expected. Luke 12:48

 

[Recidiva]

It is badly done:

We do not mean to hector or show off. To whom much is given, however, much is expected. Americans remain rich beyond most of the world's imagination--rich in property, in liberty, in security. None of these things is free, and all are vulnerable, either to market reversals, to grasping leaders, to terrorists. But we cannot survive and thrive if we do not know what the world is like--what it loves, what it hates, and why. In the following pages we hope you get at leas a few new glimpses of the world--different angles of vision that reveal things you did not know before, but do now.

1. We do not mean to hector or show off.

(But we're going to, and that opening just enhances the arrogant tone. Is this the royal "We"?)

2. To whom much is given, however, much is expected.

There's no need for the however.

3. Americans remain rich beyond most of the world's imagination--rich in property, in liberty, in security.

Except for the ones who aren't.

4. None of these things is free, and all are vulnerable, either to market reversals, to grasping leaders, to terrorists.

Complete rewrite:

None of these things are free. All are vulnerable, either to market reversals, grasping leaders or terrorists.

(would love to add: Obnoxious op-ed writers who think they have a point and yet cannot arrive.)

5. But we cannot survive and thrive if we do not know what the world is like--what it loves, what it hates, and why.

The "but" is unnecessary.

We cannot survive or thrive if we do not know what the world is like; what it loves, what it hates, or why.

(This excludes Americans, who are not of the world and have no loves, hates or reasons of their own.)

6. In the following pages we hope you get at least a few new glimpses of the world--different angles of vision that reveal things you did not know before, but do now

There's that royal we again. I'd have to capitalize it to be certain folks were sure.

Considering the completely preachy, arrogant tone, I'd be happy to burn this magazine rather than burning oil, in the interest of conserving energy and offense.

 

[NewEnglandGirl]

Reci, I completely agree with you. Preachy, arrogant, and not particularly bright.

The line that got me the most was: "But we cannot survive and thrive if we do not know what the world is like--what it loves, what it hates, and why."

Since when does "the world" as a single entity do anything? How Ugly American and condescending can one person get?

 

[Recidiva]

Reci, I completely agree with you. Preachy, arrogant, and not particularly bright.

The line that got me the most was: "But we cannot survive and thrive if we do not know what the world is like--what it loves, what it hates, and why."

Since when does "the world" as a single entity do anything? How Ugly American and condescending can one person get?

Self-inflicted wounds don't get much sympathy from me, and in this case the person mangled themselves, their point, and their audience.

 

[MechaBlade]

I just read that sentence in a Newsweek article (current issue, July2/July 9, page 37).

Does it make any sense at all? I think they mean something along the lines of, "From those to whom much is given, much is also expected," but the editor appears to have dropped the ball on this one.

It would make sense if the sentence preceding it was describing someone enjoying the fruitful life. For example.

"Thanks to his parents' trust fund, Hector Hamfist lives a life of luxury; one filled with butlers, caviar and eating sushi off of nude geisha. To whom much is given, however, much is expected. In Hector's case, this means taking up the family business."

 

[revelator]

I just read that sentence in a Newsweek article (current issue, July2/July 9, page 37).

Does it make any sense at all? I think they mean something along the lines of, "From those to whom much is given, much is also expected," but the editor appears to have dropped the ball on this one.

As Cheyenne pointed out, it is a Biblical reference - the parable of the worthy servant.

Most churches interpret it that if God gives you talents, or wealth, etc., you are expected to use it for His glory, and/or to help others less fortunate.

41 ¶ Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46 the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

 

[Comshaw]

Typical...because the language doesn't stand up to the scrutiny of the critic's...neither does the idea contained within. Ignore the point they're trying to make in favor of picking at the wrappings.

The wrappings are important, just not the only thing to consider.

Preachy? Arrogant? Perhaps, but no more then those who would obsess over a clumsily constructed sentence.





Comshaw

 

[Recidiva]

Typical...because the language doesn't stand up to the scrutiny of the critic's...neither does the idea contained within. Ignore the point they're trying to make in favor of picking at the wrappings.

The wrappings are important, just not the only thing to consider.

Preachy? Arrogant? Perhaps, but no more then those who would obsess over a clumsily constructed sentence.


Comshaw

Okay, Comshaw, tell me how I'm an ignorant American who needs the pages of Newsweek to enlighten me in an illiterate manner.

 

[Cheyenne]

As Cheyenne pointed out, it is a Biblical reference - the parable of the worthy servant.

Most churches interpret it that if God gives you talents, or wealth, etc., you are expected to use it for His glory, and/or to help others less fortunate.

Exactly.

It's a way of life.

 

[bronzeage]

Okay, Comshaw, tell me how I'm an ignorant American who needs the pages of Newsweek to enlighten me in an illiterate manner.

The large print helps too.