What you see praiseworthy in others, carefully imitate, and what in them may appear defective, you will in yourself amend.
This passage of Masonic ritual (from Taylors Working, Address to the Wardens) is advice on how to improve oneself by observing others.
It suggests that we should pay attention to the admirable qualities that we see in others, and try to incorporate them into our own lives.
At the same time, we should also notice the faults or shortcomings we see in others and work to avoid those in ourselves.
Have you ever looked at someone and thought, “I wish I had their confidence?” Or, seen someone perform an act of kindness and wished you could be more like them?
The truth is, we can all learn from others, and in doing so, improve ourselves. The quote “what you see praiseworthy in others, carefully imitate, and what in them may appear defective, you will in yourself amend” is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of observation and emulation.
The Art of Self-Improvement
Self-improvement is an ongoing process, and it requires a combination of self-reflection and observation. In other words, we need to be aware of our own strengths and weaknesses, and also look to others for inspiration and guidance.
This is where the quote “what you see praiseworthy in others, carefully imitate” comes into play. When we see someone who possesses qualities that we admire, we can take note of those qualities and try to incorporate them into our own lives.
For example, if you have a co-worker who is always positive and upbeat, you might try to adopt a similar attitude.
Or, if you know someone who is a great listener, you might try to improve your own listening skills.
The key is to be intentional about the qualities you want to emulate and to make a conscious effort to practice them in your own life.
Avoiding Faults and Shortcomings
At the same time, it’s important to be mindful of the behaviours and qualities that we don’t want to emulate.
This is where the second part of the quote comes in: “and what in them may appear defective, you will in yourself amend.”
When we see someone exhibit behaviour that we don’t want to replicate, we can use it as an opportunity to reflect on our own behaviour and make changes.
For example, if you know someone who is always gossiping about others, you might make a conscious effort to avoid engaging in similar behaviour.
Or, if you see someone who is always procrastinating, you might try to be more proactive and disciplined in your own work.
Again, the key is to be intentional and make a conscious effort to improve.
Learning from Mistakes
In addition to learning from the behaviour of others, we can also learn from our own mistakes. No one is perfect, and we all make mistakes from time to time.
However, the true measure of success is how we respond to those mistakes. When we make a mistake, we can choose to wallow in self-pity and beat ourselves up, or we can use it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
If we adopt the mindset that every mistake is an opportunity to learn, then we can view our mistakes as stepping stones to success.
When we make a mistake, we can take note of what went wrong, and make a conscious effort to avoid making the same mistake in the future.
By doing so, we can turn a negative experience into a positive one, and use it to improve ourselves.
The Power of Positive Thinking
Another key to self-improvement is adopting a positive mindset. When we focus on the positive aspects of ourselves and others, we can achieve great things.
This doesn’t mean that we ignore our faults or shortcomings, but rather, that we choose to focus on our strengths and the strengths of those around us.
When we have a positive mindset, we are more likely to take risks, try new things, and persevere in the face of adversity.
We are also more likely to see the good in others, which can lead to stronger relationships and a more positive outlook on life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the quote “what you see praiseworthy in others, carefully imitate, and what in them may appear defective, you will in yourself amend” is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of observation and emulation.
By looking to others for inspiration and guidance, we can improve ourselves and become better individuals.
Self-improvement requires a combination of self-reflection and observation.
We need to be aware of our own strengths and weaknesses, and also look to others for inspiration and guidance.
When we see someone who possesses qualities that we admire, we can take note of those qualities and try to incorporate them into our own lives.
And when we see someone exhibit behaviour that we don’t want to replicate, we can use it as an opportunity to reflect on our own behaviour and make changes.
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