Part 3, Chapter 9: What everybody wants

Principle: Be sympathetic with the other person’s ideas and desires

Majority of the time, we are who we are because of our surroundings.
We deserve little credit for being what we are.

Remember that when encountering irritated people. They deserve very little discredit for being what they are.

I slightly disagree on two points:

1. Because I feel like it over simplifies the successes of people. People often become great due to their surroundings. Like the pressure of being successful to get out of poverty. But then again, it was that surrounding that made you push yourself? 🤷🏽‍♀️
2. On the other hand, I feel these statements make it “okay” for people to be so rude and evil just because of their surroundings. As if it’s an excuse to not change your ways.

The author says to feel sorry for them and to sympathize. I would disagree slightly again here in that no one wants for people to have pity on them. Instead maybe take the advice from the other chapters to put yourself in that person’s shoes and see things from their point of view and surrounding.

An example of thought of during this chapter that would be relevant to today’s time are keyboard warriors. People who leave nasty comments and nothing else. “Kill them with kindness” is saying I thought of.

“Sympathy is what the human species universally craves.”

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

–Angela