Quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and
There is a very real danger of our drifting into an attitude of contempt for humanity. We know quite well that we have no right to do so, and that it would lead us into the most sterile relation to our fellow-men. The following thoughts may keep us from such a temptation. It means that we at once fall into the worst blunders of our opponents. The man who despises another will never be able to make anything of him. Nothing that we despise in the other man is entirely absent from ourselves. Why have we hitherto thought so intemperately about man and his frailty and temptability? We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer. The only profitable relationship to others -- and especially to our weaker brethren -- is one of love, and that means the will to hold fellowship with them. God himself did not despise humanity, but became man for men's sake.
Summary
This quote emphasizes the danger of developing a contemptuous attitude towards humanity. The author warns that allowing such contempt would hinder our ability to connect with others and lead to unproductive relationships. They argue that despising someone prevents us from understanding and making something meaningful out of them, as the shortcomings we detest in others also exist within ourselves. The author calls for a shift in perspective, suggesting that we should focus less on judging people based on their actions and more on empathizing with their suffering. They propose that love and fellowship should define our relationships with others, just as God demonstrated by becoming human for the sake of humanity.
Topics
Suffering
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