British theologian C.S. Lewis once wrote, “We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.”
His point, of course, was that society cannot show constant contempt for a worthy character trait then demand that people demonstrate that trait.
Well, Venezuela is the latest country to learn that painful lesson.
Previously secret documents show that oil-producing Venezuela’s Marxist regime practically gave away oil to its presumed ally Communist China. It charged only $5 a barrel, compared with normal market prices that are more in the $100 range.
But then Venezuela learned that Communist China had sold that oil to other nations at a nice profit. It angered Venezuela to realize that it had been taken for a ride by its so-called “ally.”
China’s deceit should really come as no surprise, though. The history of communism shows it to be a system based squarely on theft, dishonesty and back-stabbing. And despite what the familiar adage may say, there is no “honor among thieves.” They will steal from each other as readily as from anyone else.
By embracing Marxism and allying itself with totalitarian nations, Venezuela has “laughed at honor.”
Now, sure enough, it has discovered “traitors in its midst,” and it is terribly “shocked.”