"Tolerance it a tremendous virtue, but the immediate neighbors of tolerance are apathy and weakness"
- James Goldsmith
About this Quote
This quote by James Goldsmith suggests that tolerance is a terrific virtue, however it can be taken too far. When tolerance is taken to the severe, it can cause lethargy and weak point. Passiveness is an absence of interest or interest, while weakness is an absence of strength or power. Simply put, when tolerance is taken too far, it can lead to an absence of motivation and a lack of capability to defend what is right.
Goldsmith's quote is a tip that while tolerance is necessary, it should not be required to the extreme. We should aim to be tolerant of others, but also be willing to stand up for what is best and do something about it when required. We need to not be so tolerant that we end up being apathetic and weak. Rather, we should strive to find a balance in between tolerance and doing something about it.
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