Monday, June 04, 2007

Other People are As Real As You

"It wasn't only wickedness and scheming that made people unhappy, it was confusion and misunderstanding; above all, it was the failure to grasp the simple truth that other people are as real as you."

(from Atonement by Ian McEwan, page 38)

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4 comments:

Terence Towles Canote said...

Wow, that is one profound quote. And one that is all too true. I think a lot of problems in life stem from people objectifying others.

raymond said...

*raises hand*

Guilty!

I failed for much of my life to grasp that truth. It is so much more fun now to see other people as people and not a means to an end.

Excellent quote.

Will said...

I had no idea he had stated the theme so clearly. What a great thought.

If we all stopped to realize that there is only one God, and we are not him, it would revolutionize most of our lives. Humility and sympathy are, in my opinion, foundational approaches to the way life was meant to be lived.
As Paul said, consider others to be better than yourselves. I think Buechner had his own version of saying something similar, but it's not coming to mind.

Neo said...

very profound.
I feel what the world requires is empathy towards others. and it will be fine..