“We are all steeped in weakness and error; let us pardon one another's follies, it is the first law of nature.”Voltaire · Dicționar filozofic · 1764 · Tolérance
Forgiveness is not a favor you grant, but the justice you owe someone as flawed as you.
Voltaire builds an argument for forbearance from a common observation: no one is exempt from error. If weakness is universal, harsh judgment of others becomes hypocrisy, since the judge shares the same flaws. Tolerance is not an act of nobility but plain justice applied to the human condition. When a colleague makes a small mistake, recalling your own similar blunders turns irritation into understanding.
Voltaire does not ask you to silently endure other people's mistakes. His forgiveness is an exchange, not a one-sided duty. You forgive, but you may also ask for forgiveness, because you are just as prone to error. Think of the neighbor who complains about your noise, while he plays guitar on Sunday mornings. When both admit they are a nuisance, the conflict becomes a negotiation, not a trial. The next step is to see what happens when someone refuses this exchange.
Why it matters It helps in everyday conflicts: before judging, remember you are made of the same flaws.