“It has always seemed strange to me...the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness...”
— John Steinbeck
Simplified Meaning:
People often praise others for being kind, generous, and honest. These are traits we respect and value. However, in reality, society frequently rewards more selfish behaviors, like being aggressive or very competitive. For example, in many businesses, the most successful people are those who are very ambitious, sometimes even ruthless, rather than those who are kind and fair. This creates a contradiction where we say one thing is important, but act in a way that shows we value something different. To live out the values we say are important, we should try to be more consistent, prioritizing kindness, generosity, and honesty in both our personal and professional lives. By doing so, we can help create a world where these good qualities are truly valued and rewarded.
