Paying respect through bowing and salutation is a gesture signifying that one truly recognizes and deeply appreciates the goodness of a particular person or thing — so profoundly, in fact, that one cannot remain still or indifferent, but must outwardly express that reverence. Following this act of homage, one should endeavor to learn from that person: to observe and study the ways in which they practice virtue, and to follow their example accordingly.
If we do not cultivate the habit of paying respect from the very beginning, we will develop pride and conceit. Some people, as a result, become so self-absorbed that they are entirely unable to perceive the goodness in others — seeing only their faults, and spending each day searching for something to criticize. We can observe this tendency today across every sphere of society: students find fault with their teachers, teachers find fault with their students, seniors and juniors find fault with one another, and colleagues find fault among themselves. No one speaks of another’s virtues, for they have lost the ability to see them. If society is left to continue in this manner, its foundations will before long begin to collapse. The remedy lies in cultivating respect — that is, in learning to look for the good.
“Warm Hearted Family,” page 37
