Decisions of Principle--and of Preference

There comes to mind the remark of a young man facing some problems and pressures: It was the awareness of one awakening to reality: “There certainly are a lot of decisions,” he said. There certainly are a lot of decisions. Life is a series of decisions. With some decisions we should take time and wait for matters to mature. But there are some decisions that could take too much time. There are some choices we should decide swiftly—and then let them alone. We could simplify decisions by separating them into two convenient categories: decisions of principle and decisions of preference. As to decisions of principle, we shouldn’t waste much time to any clear-cut question of right and wrong. “Thou shalt not steal,” for example, is clear-cut. “Thou shalt not bear false witness” is clear-cut. Thou shalt not commit adultery” is clear-cut. Many such decisions are clearly covered by the commandments, and we could waste a lifetime wrestling with what could be more or less automatic. And being without standards in making such decisions would be like trying to do business without weights, or money or measures. Suppose we didn’t have an inch or a foot or a dollar—or a pint or a pound—and had to quibble about every length, every measure, and every amount! The decisions of principle should be definite and more or less automatic. In this we are reminded of what Mencius said in one strong, short sentence: “Let men decide firmly what they will not do, and they will be free to do vigorously what they ought to do.”¹ And now as to decisions of preference—what suit we should wear, what course we should study, what job we should take: For such decisions we have to consider qualifications, our personal preferences, and in the more weighty matters, thoughtfully, prayerfully, think things though. In making decisions, there is no easy all-inclusive answer, but at least some of the essentials can be somewhat simplified if we distinguish between decisions of principle and decisions of preference, and have the courage and the character to settle the decisions of principle, and not waste time wrestling with clear-cut matters of right and wrong.