In todays society, people are quick to judge the actions of another, whether they are mistakes or even beneficial to a situation. There are times when people ridicule others who have made mistakes for a good cause more than ridiculing those who have made a mistake doing something "cool". According to Joseph Addison, we laugh at those who have made mistakes out of "virtue ad good sense" instead of laughing at men out of "vice and folly". The assertion made by Addison is true in some cases, yet it proved wrong in others. .
We ridicule those who have done the "right thing" or those who have made a better choice. One example, is when a person might be offered an acoholic beverage and refuse. Instead of praising that person we tend to make fun of them or call them names. It is easier to bring him/her down because it is more challenging to try to become a better person by not drinking. By ridiculing this person we have made it seem like it is a good thing to drink. Another situation which demonstrates Addison's assumption is a modern-day example. Going to war in Iraq has been put down by many today. Rather than seeing the benefits the war has caused, we find it simpler to find ways in which it has hurt the country. The negative results the war it has had on our community seems to be the primary concern of the people, rather that the positive outcome it has had. We do this because its easier to make excuses than to tell it like it is, which would be that we have done a good thing. Another reason why may be because it is more enjoyable to make fun of then to praise others. This solidifies how we "tease" the people who have made good decisions, rather than to tease those who have made poor judgment and inspiring them to do better.
Addison says it is very seldom if ever that there is a time when we find ourselves celebrating the accomplishiments of others, yet it happens everyday in families across the country.