This man beside us also has a hard fight
with an unfavouring world,
with strong temptations, with doubts and fears,
with wounds of the past which have skinned over,
but which smart when they are touched.
It is a fact, however surprising.
And when this occurs to us
we are moved to deal kindly with him,
to bid him be of good cheer,
to let him understand that we are also fighting a battle;
we are bound not to irritate him,
nor press hardly upon him
nor help his lower self.
John Watson, The Homely Virtues
