When we're young, we see things as right or wrong, black or white, yes or no. We are apt to rail against what we see as unfair behavior. Hopefully, we don't lose the ability to see the differences, but as we go through life, we come to realize that there are circumstances, and everything is not so easily defined. We survive life's ordeals; events that we would never have thought survivable.
We find ourselves trying to understand the place that brings some people to say and do things that we don't understand. The phrases "Walk a mile in his shoes" and "there, but for the grace of God, go I" soften our indignation somewhat. Not to make excuses for their transgressions, but to feel some empathy for them.
We must always stand for right and defend those who cannot defend themselves, but we should also understand that every man has his breaking point.
