Tolerance.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 3,054
Tolerance.
Voltaire:
this seems to me such a fine alternative to resentment, anger, annoyance, and judgement. What I like about it too is the sense of pardoning my own follies!! Although it isn't stated explicitly in the quote I think it becomes a logical part of what's said.
Last of all is the sense of being formed of frailty and error - that at first reminded me of teachings I dislike such as human nature being evil. But when I looked at it again, more carefully at the words used I warmed to it.
Objectively I can see my own frailty, I will be effected by disease and I will die but more than that - if I have the courage to learn then inevitabley by inviting new ideas I will always be at risk of picking the wrong ones. My body has frailty, I accept that easily, my mind and reasoning have frailties that's also easy to accept, the one I find most challenging but helpful to accept is that my personality - who I am has frailties too.
If I'm to keep the courage to learn, if I want to invite and enjoy seeing my own errors, if I want to remain happy while I shape who I am nearer and nearer to who I want to be - then I need to accept without anger or frustration my own frailty and error. And if I want the above for other's then I need to do just as Voltaire suggests.
“What is tolerance? -- it is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other's folly -- that is the first law of nature.”
Last of all is the sense of being formed of frailty and error - that at first reminded me of teachings I dislike such as human nature being evil. But when I looked at it again, more carefully at the words used I warmed to it.
Objectively I can see my own frailty, I will be effected by disease and I will die but more than that - if I have the courage to learn then inevitabley by inviting new ideas I will always be at risk of picking the wrong ones. My body has frailty, I accept that easily, my mind and reasoning have frailties that's also easy to accept, the one I find most challenging but helpful to accept is that my personality - who I am has frailties too.
If I'm to keep the courage to learn, if I want to invite and enjoy seeing my own errors, if I want to remain happy while I shape who I am nearer and nearer to who I want to be - then I need to accept without anger or frustration my own frailty and error. And if I want the above for other's then I need to do just as Voltaire suggests.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 3,054
I nearly hit the thanks tab to say thanks for the thanks but then I would have thanked myself which thankfully I didn't do!!
I'll just chalk it up as a narrow scrape with error - oh and thanks!!
I'll just chalk it up as a narrow scrape with error - oh and thanks!!
)
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 3,054
You know what? I realised the above goes along way to making me realise WHY I think forgiveness is so important. I've always felt forgiveness is important despite no belief in being ordered to do it - it makes sense logically as a way to be at peace with myself too.
alconaut
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Motor City
Posts: 729
Originally Posted by equus
You know what? I realised the above goes along way to making me realise WHY I think forgiveness is so important. I've always felt forgiveness is important despite no belief in being ordered to do it - it makes sense logically as a way to be at peace with myself too.
Forgiveness is healthy. For you and I.
I might hold hurt feelings or disappointments, perhaps, but there's a difference..... I never hold resentments or carry hate.
They're like acid.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
