Origin of Left and Right

[MNDude]

Ever wondered why it is that Conservatives are called the "right" and Liberals are called the "left"?

By chance I stumbled upon this verse in the Bible:

"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, But the heart of the fool to the left." Ecclesiastes 10:2 (NIV) Thus sayeth the Lord. Can't get any simpler than that.

[ealgeone]

Amen brother!

[MSU]

This goes back to the ancient middle eastern understanding that the right hand is the good hand and the left hand is the evil hand, as in “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matt 6:3 NKJV) and “He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left” (Matt 25:33 NKJV). Not to puncture your balloon, but there are MANY injunctions in scripture to the effect that we should not go in either of these two directions, for example: “be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” (Deut 5:32 NKJV),

[The_Reader_David]

That’s very nice. I suppose the seating arrangements in the French National Assembly were arranged by Providence so that we could cite that verse.

Of course, the real reason that American conservatives are “right” is that we oppose the “left”. Only “left” a coherent meaning: supporting the expansion of state power on the plea of upholding the downtrodden. “Right” simply means “opposed to the left”, for which reason monarchists, classical liberals (of whom we American conservatives and a lot of the folks in the left half of the French National Assembly would be examples), ultramontanists, fascists, Nazis (including the neo- variety), Tories, Christian Democrats, Hindu nationalists, . . . are all “right”.

[Retired Greyhound]

That is awesome.

I still reject the labels “conservative” and “liberal”.

There is nothing “liberal” about the left. They are socialists, commies, totalitarians, statists.

Classical Liberals used to be those who favored free markets and freedom of worship.

The left stole the word.

[wita]

I believe the sword and the salute have something in common.
If you are saluting with your right hand, the sword is not in that hand.

The whole issue is directly related to RIGHT and WRONG. Rather than right and left. Right is a moral absolute a foundation based on God given rules for, (wait for it), not radicals, but happiness, joy, salvation, peace, etc.

[mamelukesabre]

you are all simpletons

the term is “left wing” and “right wing”, ya nitwits. it is a reference to traditional seating arrangements in european parliaments.

A simple internet search would inform you of this.

[reed13]

I have saluted with my sword in my right hand many times. you merely bring it up close to your chin inclined slightly away (~45*) to demonstrate your respect (hold for the return of course). ;)

[Eternal_Bear]

Are you down on left handed people? LOL

[MNDude]

it’s a JOKE dude!