"هرچه گناه بیشتر، توجیه بیشتری."

This quote is a bit like saying, "The more wrong you do, the more reasons you need to explain it away." Imagine a kid who steals a cookie from the jar. At first, it's just a cookie. But if the kid keeps doing it, they have to come up with bigger and better reasons why it’s okay. It's this weird cycle—more bad behavior means more elaborate excuses.

Historically, this kind of thinking can be tied to various philosophical and theological debates. Take, for example, the era of Martin Luther and the Reformation. People were buying "indulgences" to avoid punishment for their sins. The more sins they had, the more they'd spend on these indulgences, justifying their actions with the belief that they could buy their way out of trouble. It was like piling up debt and hoping money would erase it.

Now, let me give you a real-life example. Suppose there’s a company that starts dumping waste into a river to cut costs. Initially, they might say, “We’re doing this to save jobs.” But then, as they continue, they need more justifications: “We’re supporting the local economy,” or “Other companies are doing worse.” Each step deeper into wrongdoing requires a more complex web of justifications to hold up the facade.

So, how do you apply this wisdom? First off, catch yourself early. When you start rationalizing something that feels off, stop and think about why you’re doing it. Are you trying to ease guilt or avoid responsibility? It’s like pulling weeds—easier when they’re small. Also, be transparent. If you’re open about your mistakes, there’s less need for elaborate justifications later. People respect honesty more than you might think.

Let’s make this even more relatable. Picture Sara, who’s always late to work. At first, it’s just because she oversleeps. She tells her boss, “Traffic was bad.” But then it becomes a habit, and her excuses multiply—car trouble, family emergencies, you name it. Eventually, she’s tangled in a web of lies. What if Sara had just been honest from the start, admitting she was struggling with her morning routine? Maybe her boss could’ve helped her come up with a better plan. Instead, she’s stressed out, trying to keep her stories straight.

The takeaway here? Nip things in the bud. Be honest with yourself and others. The more you try to justify bad behavior, the deeper you sink into it. It’s exhausting, right? And unnecessary. We all mess up. It’s human. What’s more human is owning up to it and moving forward with a clean slate.

So, next time you’re tempted to justify something that feels wrong, think about the long-term. How will this affect your peace of mind? How will it complicate your life? Keep it simple. Be real. It’s less about never making mistakes and more about how you handle them when they happen.