THE WISE APPROACH

In life, a person often has to decide what to do and what not to do. At such times, there are two possible standards for decision-making:

1. What is right.

2. What is possible.

The wise approach is this: in personal matters, a person should focus on what is right, and follow the path that is correct. But in social or collective matters, the right approach is to look at what is possible, and adopt what can realistically be done.

The reason for this difference is simple. In personal matters, the issue concerns only you. You have complete control over yourself. You can shape your own direction and deal with yourself however you choose. That is why in personal matters, you should set the highest standards and, as far as possible, follow the path required by religion and morality.

But in social matters, another party is involved. Over them, you have no control. You can speak to them, but you cannot force them to act. In such cases, wisdom requires that you focus on what is possible. Out of the two options, accept the one that can actually work.

In personal matters, following what is right does not stop the journey of life—it goes on. But in social matters, insisting only on what is right quickly brings opposition from others, blocking your way. The journey comes to a halt, and all energy is wasted on conflict. That is why the useful and productive way is to accept what is possible, accommodate the demands of the other party, keep moving forward in the present, and leave the future to unfold in its own time.

This is the wise way to live in this world.