Emma Goldman

“It takes less mental effort to condemn than to think.” –Emma Goldman

“The majority cares little for ideals and integrity. What it craves is display.” –Emma Goldman

Suppose that Goldman is right, and it takes less mental effort to condemn than to think. Then why did she find it necessary to condemn? She was perhaps so consumed by her own self-righteousness that she could not see that she was what she preached against. She was one who condemned others. She condemned the majority instead of the minority, but really what is the difference? Both are simply a group of people.
I have found that most people view themselves as the minority-them and all their friends- and are constantly condemning the majority. And we are taught to. Not directly- we are taught to speak our minds. So we all condemn each other in an attempt to be ourselves- to be different. Is the only solution to hypocrisy to be silent? I don’t think that a human being is capable of being silent. But condemnation cannot be the solution. It creates anger and arguments and violence, usually to no recognizable resolution.
Actions speak louder than words- a sentiment I’m sure most people say that they agree with. A sentiment we are largely told to live by. Live your morals, lead by example. Everyone says that they believe those things. But those things are harder to do than to say, and we find ourselves speaking our morals and trying to lead by telling, and when these methods don’t work condemnation is created.
I personally think we should live as we deem righteous, and not spew condemnations left and right simply because we disagree. To be the true minority, and a true thinker, one must try harder to act and not speak, and then to act with restraint. To realize that perhaps the self is not the most righteous being alive, and that one’s judgment should not always be given.