Venally for Dummies

Sure, no problem! I'd be happy to help you understand the meaning of the word "Venally". To put it simply, "venally" means to act or behave in a way that is motivated by self-interest, usually for personal gain or profit. In other words, it's when someone does something purely because they want to get something out of it, even if it's not the right thing to do or if it goes against what is fair and just.

For example, imagine there's a student who cheats on a test because they really want to get a good grade, but they don't really care about the fact that cheating is wrong and unfair to other students. That would be considered acting "venally" because they are doing something dishonest only for their own benefit, without considering the consequences or the impact on others.

Now, let me give you a slightly longer explanation, breaking it down step by step so it's easier to understand. Imagine you're at a toy store, and you see a toy that you really want. You know you don't have enough money to buy it, but you really, really want it. You also know that the toy store owner is a kind person, always willing to help others. So you come up with a plan - you decide to ask the owner for a discount on the toy, even though you know that's not fair or honest because the toy is already being sold at a fair price. However, you don't really care about that, all you care about is getting that toy at a cheaper price so you can have it.

In this scenario, your actions of asking for an unfair discount, even though you know it's not the right thing to do, just because you want the toy badly, would be considered acting "venally". You are prioritizing your own desire for the toy over what is just and fair, and you're not considering the impact of your actions on the owner of the store.

So, in a nutshell, "venally" means behaving in a self-interested and selfish way, where you prioritize your own desires and benefits above what is right and fair. It's important to remember that acting venally is not a good thing because it often involves disregarding the needs and rights of others.