"فکر می‌کنم حقیقت این است که مردم ذاتاً خوب هستند تا زمانی که چیزی آن‌ها را می‌شکند و سپس دیگر خوب نیستند"

People are inherently good—that's the core idea here. They start off with kindness, empathy, and a desire to do right by others. Think about a child who instinctively shares their toy or comforts a friend who’s crying. There’s no malice there, no ill intent. But life isn’t always kind, and over time, experiences can wear people down. Imagine someone who's been continuously let down, faced betrayal, or endured significant trauma. Those experiences can change a person, making it hard for them to hold onto their inherent goodness.

This idea isn't new. Anne Frank, despite hiding from Nazis during World War II, famously believed in the goodness of people’s hearts. It’s a sentiment that's echoed across history, suggesting that people are born good but can be changed by their experiences. So why does this matter? Well, understanding this can make us more empathetic. It helps us see beyond someone’s actions to the pain that might be driving them.

Let’s bring it to life with a real example. Think about someone like Malala Yousafzai. She was a young girl who believed in the power of education and was incredibly passionate about it. But then, she was shot by the Taliban. That traumatic event could have turned her into someone filled with hatred and bitterness. Instead, she chose to continue advocating for education, showing remarkable resilience and retaining her inherent goodness despite what happened to her.

So how do we apply this wisdom in our own lives? Start by giving people the benefit of the doubt. When someone is rude or dismissive, instead of reacting with anger, ask yourself what might have happened to them. Did they just lose a job? Are they dealing with a personal crisis? This doesn’t mean you should excuse bad behavior, but it helps to understand that it often comes from a place of pain or fear.

Imagine you're at work, and a colleague snaps at you during a meeting. Your first instinct might be to snap back or hold a grudge. But what if, instead, you took a moment to consider what they might be going through? Maybe they’re under immense pressure from a deadline or dealing with something personal. By approaching them with empathy rather than anger, you might help ease their burden, even a little.

Here’s a story that might hit home. Think about a time when you were really stressed—maybe you had a huge project due, your car broke down, and you were dealing with a family issue. In a moment of frustration, you might have snapped at a friend or family member. That doesn’t mean you’re a bad person; it means you’re human and life got the better of you. Now, think about how you’d want to be treated in that situation. Wouldn't you appreciate some understanding and patience?

In essence, remember that we all start from a place of goodness. Life has a way of throwing challenges at us, and sometimes we falter. When we see others faltering, let’s choose empathy. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. We’re all in this together, after all.