Treat others the way you want to be treated

[Cane]

“My faults are due to circumstances, while others’ faults are due to their character” reflects a very common psychological phenomenon in society: self-serving bias. This is a type of thinking where individuals often explain their own behavior through external factors like unavoidable circumstances. In contrast, when evaluating and criticizing others’ behavior, they view it through the lens of character, considering it as a flaw that cannot be corrected.​

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When making mistakes, people tend to self-justify by blaming external circumstances. Phrases like “I did that because I had no other choice,” or “I had to do it because the circumstances forced me,” are common excuses. This helps them reduce feelings of guilt and maintain a positive self-image in the eyes of others and themselves.

Conversely, when assessing others’ mistakes, people often quickly conclude that it is due to the person’s inherent bad nature or poor character. Statements like “He did that because he is selfish,” or “She lied because she is a fraud,” “The mother didn’t contribute to the fund for her child, which is selfish,” or “The teacher didn’t buy extra fried chicken for the students, which is immoral,” reflect subjective judgment without attempting to understand the external factors that might influence that behavior.

This lack of tolerance and empathy not only negatively impacts interpersonal relationships but also diminishes the community’s ability to build a compassionate and fair living environment. People need to recognize that every action and decision, whether by themselves or others, can be influenced by various factors. Learning to view issues from multiple perspectives will help us develop a more compassionate attitude and a deeper understanding of human behavior.​