Where Do You Draw The Line

The word ‘sorites’ derives from the Greek soros (meaning ‘heap’) and originally referred to a puzzle known as “The Heap” which is based on the following:

Would you describe a single grain of wheat as a heap? No. Would you describe two grains of wheat as a heap? No. … You must admit the presence of a heap sooner or later, so where do you draw the line?

Similarly:

Would you describe a man with one hair on his head as bald? Yes. Would you describe a man with two hairs on his head as bald? Yes. … You must refrain from describing a man with ten thousand hairs on his head as bald, so where do you draw the line?

“Where do you draw the line?” is a real question for most of us. When it comes to our principles, happiness, willingness to tolerate uncomfortable people or circumstances, when is enough, enough? Somehow, we know when we are approaching our limit. I guess it is like we know a heap and a hairless skull when we see it. It is more difficult, however, to always know where to draw the line between right and wrong. That line is where you stand when you need to make a choice. It is the place where questions live and wait for each of us to provide our own answers.

• Where do you draw the line between “beating the system” and cheating?


• Where do you draw the line between “working the angles” and being dishonest?


• Where do you draw the line between “everybody does it” and disobeying the law?


• Where do you draw the line between “bending the rules” and break them?


• Where do you draw the line between “knowing” and ignoring what is happening around you?

Go ahead...draw the line...no one is watching...