List of points

You have not ill-treated him physically… But you have ignored him so often; you have looked at him with indifference, as if he were a stranger.

—Isn’t that harm enough!

Do not pass by a neighbour’s affliction with indifference. That person — a relative, a friend, a colleague… someone you don’t know — is your brother.

—Remember the Gospel story you have heard so often with sadness: not even the relatives of Jesus trusted Him. —Make sure the scene is not repeated.

While you continue to interpret in bad faith the intentions of your neighbour, you have no right to demand that people should be understanding with you.

True friendship also means making a heartfelt effort to understand the convictions of our friends, even though we may never come to share them or accept them.

Each day you must behave to those around you with great understanding, with great affection, together, of course, with all the energy needed. Otherwise understanding and affection become complicity and selfishness.

A violent person always stands to lose, even though he may win the first battle… for he ends up isolated and hedged around by his lack of understanding.

Matters can rarely be resolved by aggressive polemics which humiliate people. And things are certainly never cleared up when among those arguing the case there is a fanatic.

I can’t understand why you are annoyed and disappointed. They paid you back in your own currency, delighting in insults by word and deeds.

Learn from the lesson and never forget from now on that the people who live with you have a heart too.