Do not base your comfort on the fatigue of others
The lecture stresses one moral and spiritual principle: Do not make your comfort built on the toil of others. True comfort is not built on disrupting the lives or rest of other people, but on a clear conscience and connection with God.
Practical examples
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III mentions many examples: mocking others for amusement, turning up the radio in public places, disturbing people with parties or inappropriate visits, interfering at an unsuitable time, smoking among others, monopolizing speech and meetings, flattering or pressuring to obtain comfort at others’ expense, marital jealousy and harshness, exploiting influence to prevent talented people from appearing, cheating, usury and market monopolies, and physical or moral assaults that aim to satisfy personal lusts or gains.
Spiritual and educational dimension (from a Coptic Orthodox faith perspective)
The fault is not only social but spiritual: comfort built on others’ suffering corrupts the conscience and distances one from prayer and life with God. True comfort is the ease of conscience and the heart’s rest in union with the Lord, and it is an eternal comfort that does not harm others. The Holy Book and pastoral spirituality call for love of the other and putting others before oneself with dignity and love.
How to act rightly
Pope Shenouda calls that a person should think of the other before his word or deed: to ask whether my speech will bring comfort or fatigue to the other. To respect others’ times and circumstances, and to give opportunities to youth and talents instead of monopolizing them. Also to distinguish between necessary exceptions (limited punishment to preserve the group) and destructive selfishness.
Conclusion and a call to change
The lecture urges moral and spiritual discipline: seeking comfort is legitimate, but not at the expense of others. True comfort appears in a calm conscience and a life connected to God, and when necessary fair measures are taken to protect the common good, not individual comfort that ruins others.
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