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When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.
Benjamin Franklin, tactless in his youth, became so diplomatic, so adroit at handling people that he was made American Ambassador to France. The secret of his success? “I’ll speak ill of no man,” he said, “…and speak all the good I know of everybody.”
Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain—and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving. “A great man shows his greatness,” said Carlyle, “by the way he treats little men.” Instead of condemning people, let’s try to figure out why they do what they do. That’s a lot more profitable and intriguing than criticism; and it breeds sympathy, tolerance, and kindness. To know all is to forgive all.
当与人打交道时,让我们记住:我们不是和逻辑人打交道,而是和感情人打交道。这种感情人充满着成见,由自尊心和虚荣心所驱使。
本杰明·富兰克林年轻时愣头愣脑,缺乏交际技能,后来却颇具外交策略,在处理人际关系中游刃有余,被任命为美国驻法国大使。成功奥秘何在?“我不说他人坏话。”他说,“……我赞美我所知道的每一个人的优点。”
任何傻瓜都会批评、谴责和抱怨—大多数傻瓜都是这么做的。可是,去理解、去宽容却需要良好的品格和自制。“伟人的伟大之处,”卡莱尔说道,“就在于他对待小人物的方式。”与其谴责他人,倒不如试图去理解他们。让我们努力弄清楚他们为什么要那样做。这会比指责更有益,更有趣。这会培养同情心、容忍心和善心。理解即是宽容。
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