His Holiness Pope Shenouda explains a deep spiritual principle: a true person never seeks comfort at the expense of others, because real comfort comes from a pure heart and a peaceful conscience, not from exploiting people.

Everyday Examples

He gives many examples showing how people wrongly build their comfort on others’ pain:

• Those who mock others for laughter or raise their voices without caring for others’ peace.

• Those who talk long on the phone or visit others at inconvenient times.

• Those who dress or adorn themselves in ways that cause jealousy or stumbling.

• Those who seek personal glory, position, or wealth through others’ suffering or injustice.

Social and Spiritual Dimensions

This selfishness appears everywhere:

• At work: employers who oppress their workers for profit.

• In marriage: a husband or wife who only seeks personal comfort.

• In society: people who use power, greed, or deceit to benefit themselves.

The True Meaning of Comfort

True comfort is not physical rest but peace of conscience united with God.
False comfort that comes from selfishness or injustice is temporary and harmful, but real comfort is found in love for God and for others.

Spiritual Application

Before acting or speaking, we must ask:
Does my word or action bring peace to others or pain?
If my comfort causes another’s suffering, I am walking the wrong path.
Real comfort is built on love and humility, not on self-centeredness.

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