March 18

It is always wrong to blame another, because no one can ever know that which was and still is taking place in the soul of this other.

1

We judge people often: we call one good, another evil, one stupid, another clever. We must not do this. A human being is flowing like a river. Every day he is the same and not the same: he was stupid, he became clever; he was evil, he became good, and vice versa. We must not judge a human being. You have judged him, but he is already a different person.

2

If you are so fortunate that you always say only what is true, reject what is false, doubt only what is doubtful and desire only what is good and beneficial, then you will not feel indignant at evil and thoughtless people.

“But they are thieves and frauds!” you say. And what is a thief and a fraud? It is a flawed and misguided human being. And such a person should be pitied, not resented. If you can, convince him that the way he is living right now is not good for him, and he will stop doing evil. And if he does not understand this yet, then it is no surprise that he is leading a bad life.

“But,” you might say, “don’t such people deserve punishment?” Do not speak like that. Instead, it is better to say: this person is deluded about what is most important in the world. His blindness is not bodily, but spiritual. And, the moment you say this to yourself, you will understand how cruel you have been to him. If a person’s eyes suffer from a disease and he loses his sight, you would not say that he should be punished. Then why do you want to punish a human being who is deprived of something that is more precious than eyes, who is deprived of the greatest good—the ability to live wisely? Instead of getting angry at such people we should only feel pity for them.

So pity these poor people and try to not get angry at their delusions. Recall how often you yourself have erred and sinned, and feel mad at yourself for harboring anger and cruelty in your soul.

— Epictetus

3

If you begin thinking about your own flaws and start making an effort to correct them, then the thought of blaming others will not even occur to you, and besides, you will not even have time for it.

4

Do not judge your neighbor until you have been in his place.

— The Talmud

5

Forgive others much, yourself nothing.

— Publilius Syrus

I know about myself that I do not want to do evil, and even if I do it, it is because I cannot restrain myself. If anyone else is doing evil, it is also because they cannot restrain themselves. So why am I thinking ill of them and blaming them?