Is it wrong to gloat?

[Dave McClung]

I carry very few grudges, but I am doing my best not to gloat over the problems that Merrill Lynch is having.

For those of you who don't follow such things, Merrill Lynch has been one of the largest financial firms in the U.S. Recently, it has suffered large losses and its CEO was forced to resign. Its reputation has been its most valuable asset and the reputation has suffered badly in the past few days.

My beef with Merrill Lynch goes back more than 20 years. A Merrill Lynch officer contacted me about handling my IRA. Before I gave them my account, I explained that I intended to make an investment in a real estate loan to Lake Houston Church of the Nazarene. The officer assured me that the loan would be approved.

When it came time to actually make the loan to the Lake Houston Church of the Nazarene, Merrill Lynch refused to allow it. The officer that I dealt with had left the company, but there was no question about what had been promised. They didn't deny the promise, they flatly said that they didn't choose to honor the promise.

I moved my account to another firm which approved the loan, but I have not forgotten. I don't choose to do business with a firm that doesn't keep its promises.

So, when I have read the reports about Merrill Lynch falling on hard times, I have thought, "In the long run, business who don't have integrity suffer the consequences." It looks like Merrill Lynch's time has come.

[Carsten Schermuly]

I do not like to read that, I also dealt with funds papers by Meryll Lynch in the past because its stability through more than 30 years. I do not lose through the youngest developings, about two years ago I changed to an european insurance pool, held by the Deutsche Bank.

[Dana Grant]

****Dave: So, when I have read the reports about Merrill Lynch falling on hard times, I have thought, "In the long run, business who don't have integrity suffer the consequences." It looks like Merrill Lynch's time has come.******


Just made me think.......

"Time wounds all heels"

[Wanda Van Winkle]

Yes. There is a scripture that says something about not rejoicing in the bad things that happen to others, so I suppose gloating would fall into that category.

Secondly, it sounds like maybe you hold a grudge.

That was one point in time and one circumstance in the company.

I would be very surprised to find that anyone is perfect, in any company. I imagine there have been people over the years that could point to an instance when I showed a lack of integrity. I imagine the same could be said of you or anyone else.

On the other hand, I understand the frustration and I would have been unlikely to do business with someone who treated me that way on such a major issue.

[Mike Wooldridge]

Dave, I don't think you're gloating. For me, gloating would be if yor company put a competitor out of business then "taunted" the CEO and employees of the competitor. The dominant corporate culture in the US seems to be to "pad" the bottom line at any cost including ethical behavior. There's no reason to feel guilty when you see justice finally benig done and have a good feeling. My only regret would be the undoubtedly large check the CEO took with him when he walked out the door.

[Ian Gentles]

I dont like gloating, rejoicing maybe? lol was seriously kidding. I just find corruption in all areas of life has its time, the mighty fall!

[Dave McClung]

... My only regret would be the undoubtedly large check the CEO took with him when he walked out the door.

He was allowed to "retire early." He got no "severance", but I believe I read that the retirement package was $160,000,000!!!

[Wanda Van Winkle]

Good point, Mike. Businesses should be held accountable as well as individuals. I actually haven't heard the news about this business, but it's good to see justice served. It's kind of like seeing a maniac on the highway risking lives swerving and speeding and then seeing them pulled over by a highway patrol car.

[Dave McClung]

Yes. There is a scripture that says something about not rejoicing in the bad things that happen to others, so I suppose gloating would fall into that category.

Secondly, it sounds like maybe you hold a grudge.

That was one point in time and one circumstance in the company.

I would be very surprised to find that anyone is perfect, in any company. I imagine there have been people over the years that could point to an instance when I showed a lack of integrity. I imagine the same could be said of you or anyone else.

On the other hand, I understand the frustration and I would have been unlikely to do business with someone who treated me that way on such a major issue.

It isn't in the Bible, but it should be: "Cheat me once -- shame on you. Cheat me twice -- shame on me."

[Gina Stevenson]

My only regret would be the undoubtedly large check the CEO took with him when he walked out the door.

And possibly what could be added to that is some who may have lost some $$$ due to trusting some within that org that were not so trustworthy, after all?


It isn't in the Bible, but it should be: "Cheat me once -- shame on you. Cheat me twice -- shame on me."


Right, Dave ... almost ... but actually it is, tho' not quite so plain as that which you stated. It's about being "Wise ...." :basic05

And ... we all know, anyway, that you already knew that place to which Wanda referred about feeling good about bad things happening to others ... tho' I'm not so sure that would be 100% the case here ... it's not like "random badness," but---as others have mentinoed---"justice in the end."

[John Kennedy]

I must confess to having a difficult time in not rejoicing over those things that afflict the wicked. I really dislike it when people 'tailgate' me on the road, especially when it's quite evident that passing is impossible.

Just the other day I was driving along a narrow 2 lane road when some idiot passed illegally (double yellow line) only to be the first one to wait at a railroad crossing for a very, very long train. I normally don't like to sit and wait for a train, but the moments were golden. The same song title that Brad quoted in another context the other day came to mind: "God is still on the throne."

[Ryan Scott]

I'm not sure I'd call that gloating, nor that gloating is a good thing. However, in this situation, perhaps you have some insight into why things have finally gone bad?

[Wanda Van Winkle]

Proverbs 24:17
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;


I think this is the verse I tried to remember but forgot, but it could be another one that I've still forgotten and don't remember. :)

[Dave McClung]

Proverbs 24:17
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;


I think this is the verse I tried to remember but forgot, but it could be another one that I've still forgotten and don't remember. :)

Yes, there are some other scriptures that say basically the same thing. For example, Romans 12:19-21, where Paul writes, "19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (NRSV)

[John Kennedy]

After getting 'rear-ended' on that stretch of road, I'm not really sure I'd class the idiot who passed me in a 'no passing' zone, though, as my enemy. My feeling is, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. He got what he had coming.