A GOOD HOUSEHOLDER AND CORRUPTION

Abstract

Nowadays, in Serbia, it’s fashionable to talk about the fight against corruption. “The spook of fighting corruption circulates through Serbia”. Is there a chance the fight will win the way it’s lead? We are convinced there isn’t. Since corruption is a process caused by ”rotten” characters, the anti-corruption fight must also be a process of rehabilitation and creation of the right character - the good householder’s character. In this process each aspect is important (legal, economic...) but for permanent eradication of the evil or the sin of corruption the most important segment is educational because it creates the genuine moral and spiritual value in a hardworking and long-term manner. In “the period rich in disasters” (Tacitus), in the hard circumstances lasting too long, which would not be endured by any other nation, many values​​, material and moral have inevitably failed. A Serb has endured but also has worn out and lost many virtues, particularly the spirit of a good householder. Mutual hatred seems to be stronger than love, distrust greater than confidence, doubt stronger than faith, and robbery and spoils stronger than charity and solidarity. We need to restore the balance and despite the hardships, and because of them, we must foster mutual love, harmony, unwavering patriotism and value of domesticity. In other words, we must ensure victory of virtue over vice that threatens us from everywhere, both from inside and outside. At the time of “nuclear techniques and jungle ethics” (Justin Popovic) the dispersed home of the Serbs can be turned again into a proper home only if we “have the spirit of domesticity reigning” (Nikolai Velimirovich). To be a successful householder is to be responsible in relation to the state, institution, household that he was entrusted with: add, not to waste, create not to destroy, enlarge rather than reduce, preserve not to destroy a household. “Do not steal from a country, it was overpaid. Your brothers perished in wars defending the country. They gave their lives for the country – how dare you to steal the overpriced legacy? – said the wise bishop, and this message should be the foundation of creating Serbs and Serbian country and salvation from corruption.