TOLERANCE
‘Tolerance’ is defined as the willingness to accept or tolerate
somebody or something, especially opinions or behavior that you may not agree
with, or people who are not like you.
If you are tolerant you are able to accept what other people
say or do even if you do not agree with.
Tolerance is a great quality. God is more tolerant than any
human being on earth. Similarly, parents are more tolerant than other
relatives. Friends, too, are expected to be tolerant, otherwise abandon
friendship.
There are billions of people in this world. All cannot be of
similar thoughts and deeds. They have their individualities. Like the fingers
of a hand they differ from each other, yet they make a complete strong hand.
Variety is said to be the spice of life. So is the essence of
different views, different opinions, different ways, different styles,
different likes and dislikes.
Harmony lies in tolerance, co-existence, broad-mindedness,
liberalism, magnanimity, permissiveness and resilience.
Unity in diversity and co-existence are miraculous qualities
among people and nations for peace and prosperity.
Another quality which people must have is the flexible
approach to interpretation of words. There is no single interpretation of any
group of words in poetry, religion, politics and philosophy. Let not, therefore,
allow words to become bones of contention.
Tolerance, even toleration, is better than intolerance.
The English poet and courtier Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586)
said: Among the best men are diversities of opinion, which should no more, in
true reason, breed hatred, than one that loves black should be angry with him that
is clothed in white; for thoughts are the very apparel of the mind.
To conclude, here are a few words spoken by
the French writer and philosopher
Voltaire (1694-1778): Tolerance is the consequence of humanity. We are all
formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other’s folly ---
that is the first law of nature.
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G.R.Kanwal
31 January 2025
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