Humanity
Tolerance
Quick ideas about tolerance. What is tolerance? What should be tolerated and what should not?
Español1. What is tolerance?
Tolerance is the prudent decision to permit some evil for a time in order to avoid a greater evil or to obtain a greater good. It does not mean calling evil good.
2. Does tolerance mean indifference?
No. Indifference does not care about truth or good. True tolerance distinguishes good from evil, but sometimes permits what is wrong because correcting it immediately would be imprudent.
3. What should not be tolerated?
What causes grave harm and can reasonably be stopped should not be tolerated. Tolerance is not an excuse for cowardice, injustice, or abandoning those who need protection.
4. Where is tolerance practiced?
In family life, education, civil authority, friendships, and many ordinary situations. Sometimes one corrects; sometimes one waits; sometimes one bears patiently. Prudence decides.
5. Is tolerance compatible with firmness?
Yes. One can be charitable toward people and firm regarding truth and goodness. Tolerance concerns how and when to act, not whether good and evil exist.
6. What virtues guide tolerance?
Prudence, charity, justice, fortitude, and patience. Without prudence, tolerance becomes permissiveness; without charity, correction becomes harshness.