This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
Jean Paul, born Johann Paul Friedrich Richter, aka Jean Paul Richter
We learn our virtues from our friends who love us; our faults from the enemy who hates us. We cannot easily discover our real character from a friend. He is a mirror, on which the warmth of our breath impedes the clearness of the reflection.
It requires less character to discover the faults of others than to tolerate them.
Jerome K. Jerome, fully Jerome Klapka Jerome
It is in our faults and failings, not in our virtues, that we touch each other, and find sympathy. It is in our follies that we are one.
Those who, from the desire of our perfection, have the keenest eye for our faults generally compensate for it by taking a higher view of our merits than we deserve.
Desire |
Dōgen, aka Dōgen Kigen, Eihei Dōgen, titled as Dōgen Zenji NULL
Do not be concerned with the faults of other persons. Do not see others' faults with a hateful mind. There is an old saying that if you stop seeing others' faults, then naturally seniors and venerated and juniors are revered. Do not imitate others' faults; just cultivate virtue. Buddha prohibited unwholesome actions, but did not tell us to hate those who practice unwholesome actions.
Laurence J. Peter, fully Laurence Johnston Peter
Nobody can be perfect unless he admits his faults, but if he has faults how can he be perfect.
Lewis W. Dillwyn, fully Lewis Weston Dillwyn
People are commonly so employed in pointing out faults in those before them, as to forget that some behind may at the same time be descanting on their own.
Time |
Cicero, fully Marcus Tullius Cicero, anglicized as Tully NULL
It is a trait of fools to perceive the faults of others but not their own.
Maria Von Ebner-Eschenbach, or Marie von Ebner-Eschenbachová, Marie Freifrau von Ebner-Eschenbach
Parents forgive their children least readily for the faults they themselves instilled in them.
Be to their virtue very kind; be to their faults a little blind.
Meher Baba, born Merwan Sheriar Irani
Remember that the first step in spirituality is not to speak ill of others. All human beings have weaknesses and faults. Yet they are all God in their being. Until they become Realized, they have their imperfections. Therefore, before trying to find faults in others and speaking ill of them, try to find your own weaknesses and correct those.
God | Spirituality | God |
Meher Baba, born Merwan Sheriar Irani
When a person tells others “Be good”, he conveys to his hearers the feeling that he is good and they are not. When he says “Be brave, honest and pure”, he conveys to his hearers the feeling that the speaker himself is all that, while they are cowards, dishonest and unclean. To love God in the most practical way is to love our fellow beings. If we feel for others in the same way as we feel for our own dear ones, we love God. If, instead of seeing faults in others we look within ourselves we are loving God.
Miguel de Unamuno, fully Miguel de Unamuno y Jogo
Those faults we do not have, do not bother us.
If anyone removes (one of the) anxieties of this world from a believer, God will remove (one of the) anxieties from him on the Day of Resurrection if one smoothes the way for one who is destitute, God will smooth the way for him in this world and the next and if anyone conceals the faults of a Muslim, God will conceal his faults in this world and the next. God helps a man as long as he helps his brother. If anyone pursues a path in search of knowledge God will thereby make easy for him a path to paradise.
The best of God's servants are those who when seen remind you of God; and the worst of God's servants are those who spread tales to do mischief and separate friends, and look for the faults of the good.
A sincere repenter of faults is like him who hath committed none.
Bawa Mahaiyadden, fully Muhammad Raheem Bawa Muhaiyaddeen
“O man, try to understand this. Try to change into a true human being and try to live in that way, serving all lives. Let your actions fit your words. Let your speech be put into action in the form of duty. Let your outer behavior match your inner qualities. With those qualities you can rule the kingdom of God and show others how to live in the kingdom in equality, peace, and tranquility. That is a life of freedom. Realize this, O man.” The Fellowship teaches so many things. It explains what a life of human freedom is. It shows the way to realize the faults of man and to avoid them. It teaches and illustrates the qualities of God. That is the function of the Fellowship.
Action | Behavior | Change | Freedom | God | Life | Life | Qualities | Rule | God | Understand |