"We grow a little every time we do not take advantage of somebody's weakness"
- Bern Williams
About this Quote
This quote by Bern Williams talks to the significance of treating others with regard and compassion, even when we have the chance to take advantage of them. It suggests that when we select not to make use of somebody's weaknesses, we are growing as people. This development is not only in regards to our ethical character, however also in regards to our understanding of the world and our location in it. By choosing not to benefit from somebody's weak points, we are revealing that we value them as a person and recognize their worth. We are also showing that we can making decisions that are based on empathy and compassion, rather than on selfishness and greed. In this method, we are growing as people and as a society.
"In order to govern, the question is not to follow out a more or less valid theory but to build with whatever materials are at hand. The inevitable must be accepted and turned to advantage"