An ethical person behaves the opposite, and tries to find his or her own faults. In spite of the instinct to defend themselves, an ethical person keeps condemning themselves. Even when the fault belongs to others, an ethical person tries to hold himself partly responsible.
It is very wise and courageous to realize one’s own mistakes. Normally, we find it difficult to realize our own mistakes, although we can see others’ quickly. Even when others have not made any mistakes yet, we see them in advance, faster than the speed of light. But it is extremely hard to see our own mistakes.
Perhaps the instinct of protecting ourselves, loving ourselves, and praising ourselves prevents us from recognizing our own mistakes. Even a robber-killer who is guilty with clear evidence may think of himself as innocent. In a movie, a person confided to his cellmate that he was innocent. The cellmate sympathized but sarcastically said that everyone there is innocent. It means that if we ask every single prisoner, no one sees themselves as guilty.
An ethical person behaves the opposite, and tries to find his or her own faults. In spite of the instinct to defend themselves, an ethical person keeps condemning themselves. Even when the fault belongs to others, an ethical person tries to hold himself partly responsible. For example, a fight happens between two friends, so we blame ourselves for not discovering their conflict sooner and preventing it. Seeing trash spread all over the street, we blame ourselves for not telling everyone to protect the environment...
It is very brave to admit one’s own faults. Everyone wants to appear as a good person in front of others, not as a person with faults. That is why it takes courage to admit our own faults, to see our own faults. A coward likes to blame others, to push humiliation onto others.
According to the law of karma, he who has realized his own sins will not be accused by the Above anymore. According to the law of society, he who quickly admits his own sins will have his sentence mitigated. On the journey of self-cultivation, only a person who realizes their own mistakes can correct themselves. Thus, he who sees his own mistakes will have ways to correct the mistakes, and have chances to improve his own ethics.
He who realizes his mistakes can easily become modest. How can we be arrogant when we know we are wrong? He who keeps being arrogant will make more mistakes, in accordance with the law of karma, and he will be ashamed until he is no longer arrogant.
Arrogance makes a person sin. Sin brings misery. So, arrogance brings misery.
Modesty protects people from sins. If there is no sin there is no misery. He who knows his own mistakes will be modest. Thus, knowing his own mistakes prevents misery.
Another great benefit of realizing mistakes is that he who can realize his own mistakes will have the experiences to educate others morally. This world is in need of morality. Man is not moral enough. Sin and suffering have always persisted in this life. Kindness is rare. Most people treats others very badly. The need for teaching morality is high.
Many nations and many religions are concerned with morality teaching, but the results are not very optimistic so far. We are short on ethics teachers who have enough inner strength to teach morality. To teach knowledge to others, it requires only two qualities: solid knowledge and communication competence. But to educate others about morality, the teacher needs three qualities: knowledge, communication skills, and an exemplary ethical life. It is this third factor that limits the number of people who are able to educate others about ethics.
But the answer lies in people who can see their own mistakes.
Janna