"الغائبون ليسوا أبداً بلا خطأ، كما أن الحاضرون ليسوا بلا عيب."

When someone isn't around, we tend to blame them for things that go wrong in their absence. Conversely, those who are present aren’t perfect either; they have their own set of flaws. This quote highlights how we often judge people unfairly based on their presence or absence.

Take, for instance, a workplace scenario. Imagine you're working on a group project. One of your teammates, let's call him John, is on leave. Now, the project's running behind schedule. It’s easy to think, "If John were here, we’d be on track." It’s human nature to pin the blame on the missing person. But let’s say John is actually there. Suddenly, his shortcomings become apparent—maybe he’s not the best at meeting deadlines or his communication with the team is lacking. In essence, whether someone is around or not, there’s always something we can find fault with.

This idea was probably discussed to shed light on human nature and our tendency to judge others. We’re quick to blame those who aren't present because they can’t defend themselves. And when someone is present, their flaws are more noticeable, making it easier to criticize them directly.

Consider a real-life example in a family setting. Picture a family reunion where one sibling, Sarah, couldn't make it. The rest of the family starts to grumble about how Sarah is always missing these events and how her absence is disappointing. They conveniently forget the contributions Sarah makes when she is around, like her efforts in organizing past reunions or helping out financially. Now, think of another family member, Mike, who’s always present. It’s easy to nitpick about how Mike talks too much or sometimes says the wrong thing. Here, the family’s judgment varies based on who’s around and who isn’t.

To apply this wisdom in your life, try to be more understanding and less judgmental. Whether someone is present or not, remember that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. If someone isn't there, resist the urge to blame them for everything. And if someone is around, cut them some slack for their imperfections. The key is to be fair and balanced in our judgments.

Imagine a classroom setting. A teacher has two students—Emma and Liam. Emma is often absent due to health issues. When she's away, it’s easy for her classmates and even the teacher to think, "If only Emma were here more often, she’d do better." But in reality, Emma is trying her best under difficult circumstances. Liam, on the other hand, is always present. He might not always have the right answers or sometimes disrupt the class, but he’s there, participating. The teacher’s challenge is to appreciate Emma’s efforts despite her absences and be patient with Liam's active presence.

By recognizing this tendency to judge based on presence or absence, we can become more empathetic and fair-minded individuals. Next time you find yourself thinking negatively about someone who isn’t there or overly critiquing someone who is, take a step back. Consider the whole picture. Everyone has their own struggles and contributions, seen or unseen. The world could use a bit more understanding and a lot less judgment.