It's Often Better Not To See An Insult Than To Avenge It

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 3 July 2025 One thing remarkable about Poona is its obvious intellectual aura and ambience which other cities in India, even Calcutta, seriously lack. There're literary groups in Poona that celebrate and discuss the books and views of the great writers, poets, actors and intellectuals. July 3 is Franz Kafka's birth anniversary ----- Now Kafka week is going on. Franz Kafka was born on July 3, 1883. He was a German-speaking Bohemian Jewish novelist, short-story writer, and one of the major figures in 20th century literature. Thoughts and books of Kafka are being discussed. Some of his famous and most profound observations are: The truth is never too late, even if too hard to bear. The truth is never too late, even if too hard to bear - this phrase is a reminder that sometimes the truth can be painful, and that it may be easier to ignore or deny it. However, the truth will always come out in the end. No matter how hard the truth might be to accept, we must confront it and deal with it if we are to move forward. It is better to face the truth and learn from it, than to be stuck in denial and pretend it is not there. Ultimately, the truth may be hard to take, but it is never too late. The impact and acceptance of truth could be disconcerting but it's not just necessary, it's imperative. Urdu short story writer Rajinder Singh Bedi aptly said, "Jitni Takleefein Hain Woh Haqeeqat Ko Maan-Ne Se Pahle Ki Hain. Haqeeqat Se Do-Chaar Hone Ke Baad, Dil Aur Dimagh Ko Badi Raahat Milti Hai" (All troubles are prior to accepting the truth. Once you face it, the heart and mind feel relaxed). One more aphorism of Kafka that's often quoted is: "The way you see people is affected by how you treat them." This quote emphasizes the importance of treating others with respect and kindness. The way we see people is often influenced by the way we treat them; if we are kind, generous, and understanding, we will tend to look at them in a positive light. Conversely, if we approach people with suspicion and contempt, we can quickly develop a negative opinion of them. Simply put, how we treat people can directly impact how we view them, and thus it is wise to remember this quote when interacting with others.The great Persian sage Shaikh Sadi put it so succinctly in his book, 'Gulistan' : " Your behaviour towards others speaks more about you than about those you're interacting with." In other words, our likes, dislikes, prejudices and fondness are indicative of our social intercourse. One more fabulous quote of Kafka is: " By boasting, we can only win a moment's satisfaction: others will soon realize that we are as ignorant as they are." This quote talks about the futility of boasting as a way of showing off one's knowledge or possessions. Boasting may bring a person a moment's satisfaction, but ultimately it will be revealed that this person is just as ignorant as the people they are trying to impress. Boasting should not be seen as a sign of strength, because in reality it is a sign of insecurity and fragility. When someone reveals the limits of their knowledge, it is more honest and authentic. By being honest and humble, one can create genuine relationships that are built on trust, rather than false pretences. Remember, when all are equally mediocre, trying to show one's superiority is stupidity. People hate the most / Those who always boast. And the icing on the cake is: " It's often better not to see an insult than to avenge it." This is a very sagacious piece of advice. This quote speaks to the idea that it is often better to ignore an insult than to seek revenge. When we choose to ignore an insult, we are refusing to give it the power it seeks. Instead, we are opting to show strength and resilience in the face of an unfair situation. Seeking revenge can be emotionally exhausting, and we often inflict more harm upon ourselves in the process, therefore it is often better not to see an insult than to avenge it. Ultimately, this quote reflects the idea that it is better to take the higher road, put our energy into something more constructive, and not let someone else's words affect our own peace of mind. We feel insulted and humiliated only when we allow ourselves to be affected by people's words, comments, sarcasm and jeers. No one can insult you without your consent! Yours truly badly needs to imbibe and internalize the transformative spirit of this emphatic quote. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/insult-avenge/d/136056 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism