Should we try to see good in others, even when they are violent towards us?

[Ms. Laxmi Thrylokya asked: Swami, You asked us to see the good in others, as big as a mountain and see our own mistakes as small as a rat. Should we do the same even when the other person is violent towards us?]

Swami replied: It is said by Bhartṛhari that you should see an ant of good in another person as an elephant and an elephant of bad as an ant. On the other hand, you should see an elephant of good in yourself as an ant and an ant of bad as an elephant. This is what I had explained. By this, you will avoid quarrels with others. Violence and anger are good qualities, provided you do not exhibit them on good people and you only exhibit them on bad people. Both these qualities are bad if you exhibit them on good people or even if you fail to exhibit them on bad people. If somebody is angry with you, you must first analyse yourself impartially and see whether you have done something bad. If you have done something bad, you should see the other person as good. If you have not done anything bad, you should explain it with logical analysis to that person, after the person has cooled down and is in a peaceful mood. You must give some time for the person to cool down. You should not explain and give your analysis immediately, while that person is still hot.

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