The first thing to learn in intercourse with others is non-interference with their own peculiar ways of being happy, provided those ways do not assume to interfere by violence with ours. No one has insight into all the ideals. No one should presume to judge them off-hand. The pretension to dogmatize about them in each other is the root of most human injustices and cruelties, and the trait in human character most likely to make the angels weep. — William James.
In this age of communication, we fail to communicate. We adopt sound bites and rush to judgment of anyone who thinks, acts, or speaks differently than we do. Often we even judge God when the world doesn’t conform to our own thoughts and beliefs. James reminds us that true communication “commands us to tolerate, respect, and indulge those whom we see harmlessly interested and happy in their own ways, however unintelligible these may be to us.”
Communicate and angels will cease to cry.
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