As a former English teacher, I know my adverbs. An adverb responds to the questions, how, what, where, and when. Diagramming sentences will visually show that the slanted line modifies a verb, another adverb, or an adjective.
“Good” is either an adjective or a noun, not an adverb. So, if you are not sick, maybe you are feeling (how) “well.” Or, if you have numbness in your hands, perhaps you are not feeling well.
Now, I feel much better having said that. But to the point …
You know the expression, “He sure did well for himself.” Most people would say that because he/she made a lot of money, has a very nice house, and drives a late model expensive car. “He certainly did well, didn’t he?” (A rhetorical question, not a real question.)
Can a person “do well” making a good living and having a sufficient bank account while also “doing good” by helping needy folks and being a positive force for others on earth? I would think yes. You supported your family, lived within your means, and made a positive difference in the world.
Now, there are extreme examples in both categories. Someone who has done excessively “well for himself” may have accumulated a fortune that far exceeds what is sufficient and necessary. Billionaires fall into this arena because they have extravagant wealth that couldn’t be used by oneself and a large family over several lifetimes. Of course, there is the argument that he worked hard for it, deserved it, and did it himself. (Opinion: no one “does it by himself.”)
The other extreme is the “do-gooder” who sacrifices everything to change the world and otherwise be a living example of the 8 beatitudes. Perhaps well-meaning and unrealistic, but admirable, nonetheless.
While public sentiment in the United States might praise and envy the billionaire, the “do-gooder” would be derided as being a hopeless, foolish optimist. Well-meaning but unrealistic.
What Religion Might Say
I have been asked- by almost no one nowadays – what my view is on religion. But since I think of it now, I can summarize most religions with four one-syllable words: “Be good, do good.” Now, that does leave considerable room for defining the term “good.” As a practicing, but skeptical Catholic, I think that the Pope would agree with me. Maybe. Remember what Tennyson said:
“There lives more faith in honest doubt than in half the creeds.”
Then there are some Christian religions that brighten the path for those eager to make millions and justify it through the gospel. They subscribe to the “prosperity gospel” which openly states that God wants you to be rich. And they further claim that poverty is a disease like any other mental disease. Really?
The idea that God rewards my good behavior (healthy, rich, etc.) and punishes my bad behavior (poverty, poor health, etc.) lies at the root of the prosperity gospel promoted by a few religions. In other words, “I brought it on myself. I am rich because God blessed me. You are poor because you are not blessed.”
For Your Consideration
I will admit that I have been extremely lucky and have been the recipient of many “fluke” hits off the bat handle that fell in for base hits. There have been many breaks and scores of people who have aided and assisted, perhaps even carried me. Overall, I would like it to be said that, “He did ok, and he did some really good things for others.”
Braidwood Beginnings 