What is the difference between the character of a wise person and that of a fool?
The fool takes fault-finding in others as his source of strength. The power of the fool lies in finding fault — this person is no good, that person is no good, deficient in this way, deficient in that way — so it goes with everyone around them. The fool habitually finds fault with others. The wise person, by contrast, habitually examines themselves. They strive to correct themselves first and foremost.
The fool, being intent on finding fault with others, sets out to correct everyone in the world — with the sole exception of themselves. This is a truth that humanity has consistently overlooked.
April 30th, 2014
