It is well known to all great men, that by conferring an obligation they do not always procure a friend, but are certain of creating many enemies.
Henry FieldingRead
There is perhaps no surer mark of folly, than to attempt to correct natural infirmities of those we love.
Interpretation
Attempting to change the inherent flaws of loved ones is often misguided and foolish.
Henry Fielding's quote suggests that trying to correct the natural imperfections of those we care about is a sign of folly. It implies that acceptance is a more virtuous approach than criticism or attempts at correction, as every individual has their own strengths and weaknesses. Love thrives on acceptance rather than judgment, and recognizing this can lead to healthier, more compassionate relationships.
In practice
During a speech about unconditional love at a family gathering.
It is well known to all great men, that by conferring an obligation they do not always procure a friend, but are certain of creating many enemies.
It is not enough that your designs, nay that your actions, are intrinsically good, you must take care they shall appear so.
Let no man be sorry he has done good, because others concerned with him have done evil! If a man has acted right, he has done well, though along; if wrong, the sanction of all mankind will not justify him.
A newspaper consists of just the same number of words, whether there be any news in it or not.
He grew weary of this condescension, and began to treat the opinions of his wife with that haughtiuess and insolence, which none but those who deserve some contempt themselves can bestow, and those only who deserve no contempt can bear.
Now in reality, the world has paid too great a compliment to critics, and has imagined them to be men of much greater profundity than they really are.
What kind of world does one see when one experiences it from the point of view of two and not one? What is the world like when it is experienced, developed and lived from the point of view of difference and not identity? That is what I believe love to be.
The man who partakes in the breaking of the bread dares to build his house on the very core of love. He becomes, as it were, Godlike, but regardless of the strength he derives from it, his free will remains. We are always free to disown this immense grace, to abuse it. The Greatest Love may be betrayed. Fed on the Living Bread, we nevertheless conceal a part of ourselves which longs for swine's food.
Besides, our nearness to the King in love_x000D_ _x000D_ Is near the hate of those love not the King.
The sky dreams of stars, the earth dreams of love.
The truly good gaze upon everything with love and understanding.
Only the liberation of the natural capacity for love in human beings can master their sadistic destructiveness.
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