With regard to "good" and "evil", I have come to understand these as different poles on a spectrum of maturity. Those who do "good" understand the key fact that harming others harms themselves, so they try to help others without harming themselves, and make the world a better place. This requires maturity, wisdom and understanding.
Those who do "evil", on the other hand, invariably do so in an effort to benefit themselves in some way, without understanding that hurting theselves or others, or themselves by hurting others, is harmful to themselves and has repercussions. They often seek to gain money, power, etc. at the expense of others because they do not understand these things.
In effect, through this point of view, those who commit the most and worst evils are infants in maturity and understanding, and those who do the most good are wizened, seasoned and experienced adults who understand. One does not get angry with an infant for doing what an infant does, because they don't yet know any better. One must be understanding of this situation, and do the best they can to either help the infant grow, or avoid their influence.
As for having been harmed by the immaturity and resultant actions of another... consider that it helps YOU grow, become wiser and more experienced to have those experiences and work yourself through them. That brings you closer to the understanding that results in the natural outcome of doing good in the world, and making the world a better place.
This reminds me of one of the best and wisest quotes I have ever encountered, by Mahatma Ghandi:
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Profound words indeed.
Those who do "evil", on the other hand, invariably do so in an effort to benefit themselves in some way, without understanding that hurting theselves or others, or themselves by hurting others, is harmful to themselves and has repercussions. They often seek to gain money, power, etc. at the expense of others because they do not understand these things.
In effect, through this point of view, those who commit the most and worst evils are infants in maturity and understanding, and those who do the most good are wizened, seasoned and experienced adults who understand. One does not get angry with an infant for doing what an infant does, because they don't yet know any better. One must be understanding of this situation, and do the best they can to either help the infant grow, or avoid their influence.
As for having been harmed by the immaturity and resultant actions of another... consider that it helps YOU grow, become wiser and more experienced to have those experiences and work yourself through them. That brings you closer to the understanding that results in the natural outcome of doing good in the world, and making the world a better place.
This reminds me of one of the best and wisest quotes I have ever encountered, by Mahatma Ghandi:
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Profound words indeed.
Subliminal Audio Specialist & Administrator
The scientist has a question to find an answer for. The pseudo-scientist has an answer to find a question for. ~ "Failure is the path of least persistence." - Chinese Fortune Cookie ~ Logic left. Emotion right. But thinking, straight ahead. ~ Sperate supra omnia in valorem. (The value of trust is above all else.) ~ Meowsomeness!
The scientist has a question to find an answer for. The pseudo-scientist has an answer to find a question for. ~ "Failure is the path of least persistence." - Chinese Fortune Cookie ~ Logic left. Emotion right. But thinking, straight ahead. ~ Sperate supra omnia in valorem. (The value of trust is above all else.) ~ Meowsomeness!