Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for December 20, 1992
Transcript:
Calvin: I wish Santa would publish the guidelines he uses for determining a kid's goodness. Calvin: For example, how much does he weigh motives? Does he consider the kid's natural predisposition? Calvin: I mean, if some sickeningly wholesome nerd likes being good, it's easy for him to meet the standards! There's no challenge! Calvin: Heck, anyone can be good if he wants to be! The true test of one's mettle is being good when one has an innate inclination towards evil. Calvin: I think one good act by me, even if it's just to get presents, should count as five good acts by some sweet-tempered kid motivated by the pureness of his heart, don't you?Hobbes: Of course, in your case, the question is academic. Hobbes: I wanted to put a rock in the snowball, but I didn't. That should be worth a lot!
You`re bordering on some fairly deep theology there, Calvin. Perhaps, later you will come to realize that Santa is the profane person`s substitute for the loving Deity to whom all must give account to receive according as we deserve.