Ways we harm ourselves

Wrongs are often forgiven, but contempt never is. Our pride remembers it forever.
- Lord Chesterfield, statesman and writer (1694-1773)

The main difference between "wrongs" and "contempt" in this quotation is intent.

Wrongs are done with no intent to hurt others or with little thought given to hurting others.

With contempt, there is no pretence of innocence. If any consequence were to befall anyone, the person with contempt intends that it happen to the person for whom he has contempt.

Though one may dislike another without taking any action which could hurt the other or even make the other aware of the dislike, with contempt and hatred there are always some negative actions toward the person for whom one has contempt.

As with hatred, contempt that is never forgiven or forgotten does more harm to the person who holds it than the others. A look at the Middle East today will quickly show several examples where hatred and contempt harm those who have these strong emotions.

Bill Allin
'Turning It Around: Causes and Cures for Today's Epidemic Social Problems,' striving to release each soul from its self-imposed burdens.
Learn more at http://billallin.com/cgi/index.pl