The Moral Vision
Realizing One’s Own Shortcomings
~ 308 ~
are many shades of grey between black and white,
so are there many gradations of good and evil in
ordinary human beings. While few are saints, few
also are the out-and-out villains of this life, and
many are the combinations of different qualities
and defects than one can find in any given
individual. It is no simple matter to label a person
wholly good or wholly bad. If there is to be
harmony within a community, the bad sides of its
members must be tolerated, while their good sides
are appreciated. In this way, no talent is lost to
society, and fellow-feeling will prevail. This is a
principle that should be remembered in all life’ s
relationships. Man and wife, employer and
employee, businessman and partner—all need to
keep it in mind. If we want to pluck “flowers,” we
have also to bear the “thorns” that come with them.
There is no way that one who cannot put up with
thorns will be able to possess the flowers of this life.
There are few great tasks which can be
accomplished by individuals single-handedly. Only
the talents of several individuals combined can
achieve any substantial work. Just as this is true in
commercial and political spheres, so is it true of
