les and analogies; even the motives behind which they are saying all these things gets considered. And ultimately, Roger’s good sense prevails and Reuben leaves his friend to die.The real trouble begins not with Reuben’s deeds, but within his conscience. Dorcas, Roger’s daughter, asks Reuben to tell of what became of her father. Reuben accurately informs her of their struggles “…he was unable to proceed…” Dorcas jumps to the conclusion that her father died; yet Reuben never confirms nor denies this. And when asked if he built a grave, he truly speaks “My hands were weak, but I did what I could. There stands a noble tomb-stone above his head…” All this being true, if not wholly inclusive of all the facts, it still does not contain a single lie. Moreover, in certain cases, such as this one, it is beneficial to restrain from telling the entire truth. The truth hurts, and it would be wrong to bombard Dorcas with the unwelcomed news of her father’s fate.It is written “Reuben felt it impossible to acknowledge, that his selfish love of life had hurried him away, before her father’s fate was decided.” Here again, Reuben is being too hard on himself. It’s as if Reuben has forgotten the circumstances around the decision he made, and more importantly, that it was the dying wish of Roger Malvin for Reuben to act precisely how he had. And as for those acts being selfish acts, it should be reflected upon that all acts, when committed consciously, are selfish acts. Some selfish acts are more apparent, such as a man taking ninety percent of a cake that was meant to feed twelve people. All can readily grasp that a man, acting in such a way, would be acting selfishly. Yet, it is also the case that a man who buys a cake, gives it freely, and even hands his share over without eating a bite, is as well, acting selfishly.Personal motives are impossible to a...
