Favorite Inspiring Quotes
Tolerance
Commentary by Peter Shepherd
Let us practice being mindful as we go about our daily life, to recognize and accept what is without resistance, do what we can to make things better, and let fears and resentments float on down the river of time and out of our life. Replace them with appreciation of the innumerable gifts that are offered in the present. Let us find time for this real-life meditation, this authentic form of prayer.

“Tolerance is giving every other human being the rights that you claim for yourself.” ~ Robert Ingersoll
Tolerance is not indifference due to lack of conviction. Nor does it mean we agree or like what others do and say. But we recognize that others have the right to their own point of view and to be able to express themselves openly, provided they too practice tolerance. And we at least listen with respect.
“Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.” ~ John F. Kennedy
Commitment does not mean we can no longer learn, and we can only learn by being open-minded. Any belief is a trap if it is no longer open to revision. Applying our own trap to others is the result of intolerance.
“The highest result of education is tolerance.” ~ Helen Keller
That is, education that teaches understanding and open-mindedness, not conformance to fixed belief systems. As Tess Calomino said, "Tolerance is the path to understanding."
“If we could look into each other's hearts and understand the unique challenges that each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance and care.” ~ Marvin Ashton
Tolerance of evil (i.e. doing deliberate harm) is misguided - but the fact is most people do the best they can with the best they know and are not evil, and the way forward therefore is tolerant and respectful communication to share understanding.
“Since others have to tolerate my weaknesses, it is only fair that I should tolerate theirs.” ~ William Harold White
Since we each have our weaknesses, mutual tolerance brings us together, and so we learn to complement and support each other. As Tom Hannah said, "Tolerance and celebration of individual differences is the fire that fuels lasting love."

Here’s some further reading on this theme...
The Enemy Is Within, Not Without ~ by Ed and Deb Shapiro
When fear is in control, we become irrational, as well as resistant to change and spontaneity; we get angry, defensive, hidden behind self-constructed walls of protection, which reinforces separateness, isolation and enmity. Fear makes us cling to the known and reject anything that is unknown. Violence invariably arises out of such fear. Unacknowledged, it can wreck havoc in our own lives and in the world around us, as seen in terrorist attacks, gang fighting, rape, or forceful and abusive behavior. This is the real enemy within: the part in us (whether it is bitter, angry, fearful, ignorant) that refuses to recognize we are all interconnected to each other. Continues