Bearing with the faults of others...

From Book One of the Imitation of Christ, the 16th Chapter, Bearing with the Faults of Others:

Until God ordains otherwise, a man ought to bear patiently whatever he cannot correct in himself and others. Consider it better thus—perhaps to try your patience and to test you, for without such patience and trial your merits are of little account. Nevertheless, under such difficulties you should pray that God will consent to help you bear them calmly. …


If all were perfect, what should we have to suffer from others for God’s sake? But God has so ordained, that we may learn to bear with one another’s burdens, for there is no man without fault, no man without burden, no man sufficient to himself nor wise enough. Hence we must support one another, console one another, mutually help, counsel, and advise, for the measure of every man’s virtue is best revealed in time of adversity—adversity does not weaken a man but rather shows what he is.

I was touched by how compassionate this advice is, and by the admonition to be patient with yourself as well as others.