The 128 most classic philosophical essays in the world

Chapter 85
[UK] Maugham
Human nature is a mixture of greatness and littleness, goodness and evil, sublime and humbleness, and everyone is so similar.

Oddly enough, we are much more forgiving of our own faults than we are of other people's faults.I think it is probably because we have a very clear understanding of the background of our mistakes.We are often so focused on the mistakes of others that even when we have to face up to our own mistakes, we always feel that they can be forgiven.This is because whether we are good or bad in ourselves, we have to live with ourselves.

However, our attitude towards judging others is quite different.When we use another set of eyes, we often make other people feel bad and merciless.To take a small example: if we found out that others were lying, how harshly would our condemnation be!But who can say that he has never told a lie?Maybe more than a hundred times!
Human nature is a mixture of greatness and smallness, goodness and evil, sublime and humbleness, and everyone is so similar.Some people may have stronger personalities and more opportunities, so they can express their nature more freely, but the human nature at the bottom is the same.As far as I am concerned, I am neither better nor worse than most people. If I were to record my outer actions, inner thoughts, and thoughts in my mind, the world would definitely say that I am a corrupt character. the devil.Understanding this truth will make us tolerant.

At the same time, it is true that one does not have to be too strict in blaming oneself, but should one be more tolerant of the faults of others, even a well-known virtuous person?

Heart mark notes
Everyone does not exist independently in society, because there are many people around us who study, work and live with us.Whether we can achieve harmony and harmony in interpersonal relationships with everyone depends on whether we can empathize with others.

Pushing oneself and others shows the moral consciousness of being considerate and being kind to others, and shows the moral sentiment of tolerance and understanding.We should treat the people around us with self-love. No matter what we do, we must use our own feelings to understand the feelings of others, and use our own situation to imagine the situation of others.Judge others with oneself and compare one's heart with another's heart. Only in this way can the harmony and perfection of society be achieved.

(End of this chapter)