The truest test of independent judgment is being able to dislike someone who admires us, and to admire someone who dislikes us.
Interpretation
True independence of thought is reflected in our ability to value others based on their character, regardless of their feelings towards us.
This quote by Sydney J. Harris highlights the importance of independent judgment in social interactions. It suggests that genuine wisdom and self-awareness allow us to form opinions based on merit and character rather than being swayed by how others feel about us, illustrating a profound depth of understanding and objectivity in relationships. To truly appreciate someone who may not reciprocate our admiration, or to critique someone who does, reflects our ability to remain true to our values and beliefs.
In practice
In a speech on personal growth, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of moral integrity.
A person is either himself or not himself; is either rooted in his existence or is a fabrication; has either found his humanhood or is still playing with masks and roles and status symbols. And nobody is more aware of this difference (although unconsciously) than a child. Only an authentic person can evoke a good response in the core of the other person; only person is resonant to person.
We evaluate others with a Godlike justice, but we want them to evaluate us with a Godlike compassion.
The commonest fallacy among women is that simply having children makes them a mother - which is as absurd as believing that having a piano makes one a musician.
Man's unique agony as a species consists in his perpetual conflict between the desire to stand out and the need to blend in.
"Terrorism" is what we call the violence of the weak, and we condemn it; "war" is what we call the violence of the strong, and we glorify it.
At it's highest level, the purpose of teaching is not to teachβit is to inspire the desire for learning. Once a student's mind is set on fire, it will find a way to provide its own fuel.
We live under threat from painful emotions: anger, desire, pride, jealousy and so on. Therefore we should always be ready to counter these with the appropriate antidote. True practitioners may be recognized by their unfailing mindfulness.
Two of the hardest words in the language to rhyme are life and love. Of all words!
Anarchy: It is NOT bombs, disorder or chaos. It is NOT robbery and murder. It is NOT a war of each against all. It is NOT a return to barbarism or to the wild state of man. Anarchism is the very opposite of all that.
Her future, she thought, was likely to be worse than her past, for after her years of contented renunciation, she had slipped back into desire and longing; she found joyless days of distasteful occupation harder and harder; she found the image of the intense and varied life she yearned for, and despaired of, becoming more and more importunate.
Alms are an inheritance and a justice which is due to the poor and which Jesus has levied upon us.
The positive aspects of modernity are to be acknowledged unreservedly: we are all grateful for the marvellous possibilities that it has opened up for mankind and for the progress in humanity that has been granted to us.
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