"La charité commence à la maison et la justice commence à côté"

The core idea here is that before we start helping others or preaching fairness, we need to ensure that we're looking after our own families and neighborhoods first. It's about taking care of those closest to us, both in terms of kindness and fairness, before extending our efforts outward.

Historically, this phrase has been used to remind people that their immediate responsibilities should not be neglected in the pursuit of broader, more distant goals. The idea is to build a strong foundation in our personal lives, which will then allow us to be effective in our wider community. It’s a reminder that if we ignore our own backyard, any efforts we make on a larger scale could be flawed or even hypocritical.

Let's talk about a real-life example. Think about a family going through a tough time—a parent loses their job. The immediate response often involves rallying support from within the household. Everyone pitches in; perhaps the kids take on extra chores, the other parent might pick up additional work, and they all cut down on unnecessary expenses. This is charity beginning at home. They're looking after their own, ensuring that they’re strong and united. Now, imagine this family also has a neighbor who's struggling. Maybe their kid needs help with homework, and the parents are too busy juggling multiple jobs. Despite their own struggles, our family steps in to help out next door. They share what they can—a hot meal, time to tutor the child. This is justice beginning next door. They’re extending their support and fairness beyond their front door.

So how do you apply this wisdom? Start by taking a good look at your immediate surroundings. Are you taking care of your family and close friends as well as you can? Are you being fair and just in your immediate interactions? If you’re strong and fair at home, you’ll have a much firmer base to start helping others.

Now, let’s paint a scenario. Imagine you're a manager at work. Your team is like your second family. If someone on your team is struggling, your first move should be to support them. Maybe it’s giving them a flexible schedule to deal with personal issues or offering them a chance to grow their skills. This is charity at home—your immediate circle. Then think about the department next to yours. You notice they're swamped and could use a hand. You offer to collaborate on projects or share resources. That’s justice next door.

It's easy to get caught up in grand gestures, thinking we need to save the world. But real change starts small. It begins with the people we see every day and the simple acts of kindness and fairness we can show them. By building strong, caring, and just relationships in our immediate circles, we create a ripple effect that can lead to broader change.

So next time you’re tempted to dive into a big charitable project or campaign for a cause, pause. Look around you. Start with your home and next door. That’s where the real difference begins.