It keeps nagging at the back of my mind to revisit the standard I was taught to use for rethinking past decisions, and for making better ones going forward.

Here it is.

Twenty years ago, this approach seemed simple, clear and useful. It seemed that my life would go a lot better if I stopped to think through my choices before acting. Maybe other people’s lives would turn out better if they did too.

For example:

Right Action for Right Reason: I write books in order to enrich people’s lives, tipping the balance in favor of human survival.

Right Action for Wrong Reason: I choose to write books that will be bestsellers in order to get attention and make tons of money.

Wrong Action for Right Reason: I stop writing books because people aren’t yet ready to hear what I have to say.

Wrong Action for Wrong Reason: I stop writing books because I no longer have hope for the future.

Though it’s hard to second guess why others do what they do, much less foresee the long-term consequences of their choices, I’m tempted to make a calculated guess:

Right Action for Right Reason: I run for public office to serve We the People.

Right Action for Wrong Reason: I run for public office to defeat enemies I disagree with.

Wrong Action for Right Reason: I criticize opponents in order to be elected.

Wrong Action for Wrong Reason: I criticize opponents in order to diminish them.

But (obviously) things aren’t always so simple. If I overthink, I can sink way deep into swampy rabbit holes of no return.

Can I really know what is right? Are the reasons I give for my actions honest and sincere? Or are there hidden motives lurking in the personal past that drive me? Ones I’m unwilling or unable to admit to myself? Ones that perhaps color my thinking, possibly distorting outcomes?

For example:

Right Action for Right Reason: Ever since a librarian told the six-year old, orphaned me that books are my friends, I read and write seeking and offering friendship.

Right Action for Wrong Reason: I extend good-will as I understand it, I overlook the possibility that what is of value to me has no value to others.

Wrong Action for Right Reason: I offer unwelcome, unsolicited information hoping to prevent unnecessary mistakes and painful suffering.

Wrong Action for Wrong Reason: I offer unwelcome, unsolicited information in the mistaken belief that I can rescue those I care about from the consequences of their choices.

Projected on to others, similarly complicated inner dynamics might look something like this:

Right Action for Right Reason: I heroically carry on my family legacy in order to complete unfinished, worthy goals.

Right Action for Wrong Reason: I work to fulfill my family’s legacy by following the political path my predecessors.

Wrong Action for Right Reason: I excite peoples hopes and exhaust combined resources, fighting to create an idealized, better future.

Wrong Action for Wrong Reason: I am compelled to push past what is possible right now, sacrificing the long-term good that with patience could have evolved.

It gets ever more complicated. And only time will tell.