"Every contrition for sin is apt to encourage a not quite charitable wish that other people should exhibit a similar contrition"

Charles Williams, a British writer and member of the Inklings literary group, which also included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, typically looked into styles of morality, spirituality, and human behavior. In the quote, "Every contrition for sin is apt to encourage a not quite charitable wish that other people should exhibit a similar contrition", Williams reviews the complicated nature of human repentance and the attitudes it can engender towards others.

This statement recommends that when people experience real regret for their sins, it might paradoxically cause a desire that others also show similar regret for their wrongdoings. This idea is layered and rather paradoxical. On the one hand, authentic contrition is a personal and frequently humbling experience, characterized by an acknowledgment of misdeed and a genuine wish to make amends. Nevertheless, Williams mentions a subtle, less altruistic inclination that can accompany this procedure: the wish for others to also acknowledge their faults.

The "not rather charitable dream" phrase highlights a possible lack of real compassion or kindness in this desire. While wishing for others to experience contrition might stem from a sense of fairness or equality in moral awareness, it can likewise reveal a hidden judgmental attitude. There might be a hidden sense of fulfillment in seeing others humbled in the same method one's own contrition has actually humbled them. This suggests that our own experiences of repentance can accidentally foster a judgmental stance, where we determine others by the standards we use to ourselves.

Williams' observation encourages a more introspective take a look at the motives behind our want others' moral growth. It challenges us to think about whether our disposition for others' contrition is rooted in genuine compassion or an unconscious impulse to validate our own experiences. In doing so, it talks to the more comprehensive theme of self-awareness and humbleness in the context of spirituality and morality. Understanding this dynamic is crucial in pursuing a more genuine sense of compassion and support for others on their moral journeys.