"If there is any saintly quality, it is not to forgive. 'Forgiveness' accepts the badness of the act. There is no reason to accept it. Further, one has to label the act as bad to forgive it. "Forgiveness" is a much lower level action and is rather censorious."

Hubbard's insight into the plight of man helps to give an idea as to why people - who truly desire to operate for the benefit of themselves and others often do not.

His concepts on forgiveness are probably the most refreshing concepts that have been expressed in some time.

His point that one should not have to change themselves because of the actions of others is graceful and uplifting, however, how many of us can truly try it out and succeed? An most interesting challenge!

(continued)

"To that degree, true greatness depends on total wisdom. They act as they do because they are what they are - trapped beings, crushed beneath an intolerable burden. And if they have gone mad for it and command the devastation of whole nations in errors of explanation, still one can understand why and can understand as well the extent of their madness. Why should one change and begin to hate just because others have lost themselves and their own destinies are too cruel for them to face?

"Justice, mercy, forgiveness, all are unimportant beside the ability not to change because of provocation or demands to do so.

"One must act, one must preserve order and decency, but one need not hate or seek vengeance.

"It is true that beings are frail and commit wrongs. Man is basically good but can act badly.

"He only acts badly when his acts done for order and the safety for others are done with hatred. Or when his disciplines are founded only upon safety for himself regardless of all others; or worse, when he acts only out of a taste for cruelty.

"To preserve no order at all is an insane act. One need only look at the possessions and environment of the insane to realize this. The able keep good order.

"When cruelty in the name of discipline dominates a race, that race has been taught to hate. And that race is doomed.

"The real lesson is to learn to love.

"He who would walk scatheless through his days must learn this.

"Never use what is done to one as a basis for hatred. Never desire revenge.

"It requires real strength to love man. And to love him despite all invitations to do otherwise, all provocations and all reasons why one should not.

"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe."

See Part One of this article for information on where this article in its entirety can be read.

© TheosEra.com Spiritual Community 2008