Here is sound philosophy, of which few men stop to think. It is easy to pass judgment on others. It is easy to think that one is the center of the universe and that all things else revolve about that center. It is easy to think that one's own opinion is always right, and that the opinions of others are wrong. But one should not forget that others also hold opinions. It is almost certain that one will be judged as one judges; and that one will have measured to one as one measures to others. Now, what Jesus points out is that the spirit of fault-finding and criticism is to be condemned. One cannot correct the faults of others until one has corrected one's own faults. One cannot even get a good hold on one's self, and find the right estimate of one's self, until one learns to see only good in others, and to {210} struggle with one's self to overcome faults. Moreover, fault-finding and criticism, like anger, hate, and envy, destroy one's peace of mind. One who judges and condemns cannot possibly maintain mental and spiritual health. Harsh judgment is far more hurtful to the man who exercises it than to the man whom he judges. "Judge not!--thou canst not tell how soon the look of bitter scorn May rest on thee, though pure thy heart as dewdrops in the morn. Thou dost not know what freak of fate may place upon thy brow A cloud of shame to kill the joy that rests upon it now. Judge not! THE REFERENCES Matt. 7:1-5. THE QUESTIONS 1. What was wrong in the action of the two little school girls? 2. Why is it wrong to find fault, and to criticize? 3. What did Jesus say about the mote and the beam? 4. Explain Jesus's saying, "Judge not that ye be not judged." 5. Show that it is the spirit of fault finding that is sinful, rather than the act. 6. Who is most injured: the man who criticizes or the man who is criticized? {211} {212} PICTURE: JERUSALEM FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, From a Photograph {213} XXVIII THE GOLDEN RULE [Sidenote: Positive instruction.] Jesus was not content to teach merely "Judge not, that ye be not judged." In a way, that is only negative teaching. It exhorts men to withhold judgment, but does not exhort to positive action. But the nature of the teaching of Jesus is generally constructive. His "don'ts" are always directed against prevailing evil, and are almost immediately followed up with constructive directions as to what to do. So now He continues, "first cast out the beam out of thine own eye"; and further, from place to place. He instructs men how they shall deal with their fellowmen. One's duty is not fully done when one merely withholds judgment; there remains yet to be done some positive act of good--a kind word, a charitable deed, an effort at reconciliation with one of ill-will if such a one there be. [Sidenote: The doctrine of reconciliation.]