---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have a tendency to condemn people who…"
description: "\"We have a tendency to condemn people who are different from us, to define their sins as paramount and our own sinfulness as being insignificant.\" — Jim..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/jimmy-carter-479_being_we-have-a-tendency-to-condemn-people-who_3200300.jpg"
---

#  We have a tendency to condemn people who are different…

![“We have a tendency to condemn people who are different from us, to define their sins as paramount and our own sinfulness as being insignificant.” quote by Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/jimmy-carter-479_being_we-have-a-tendency-to-condemn-people-who_3200300.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/jimmy-carter-479_being_we-have-a-tendency-to-condemn-people-who_3200300.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/jimmy-carter-479_being_we-have-a-tendency-to-condemn-people-who_3200300.jpg)

> “We have a tendency to condemn people who are different from us, to define their sins as paramount and our own sinfulness as being insignificant.”

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People often judge others harshly while minimizing their own faults, creating division and moral superiority.

**In simple terms:** We judge others harshly and ignore our own flaws.

Key Takeaway

Recognize your own biases and practice empathy.

Themes

tolerance humility social justice

Mood

reflective concerned

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

- community building
- conflict resolution
- personal growth

Key Concepts

moral psychology in-group bias ethical reflection

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you react when your own mistakes are highlighted?
- What steps can you take to see others' humanity?

A Different Perspective

Self‑assessment can be uncomfortable and may reveal deep‑seated prejudice.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Sinfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sinfulness/)

## Related quotes

> [We have the tendency to condemn what we don't understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/we-have-the-tendency-to-condemn-what-we-don-t-understand/)

[Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/)

> [If I should ever decide in the future to discuss my deep Christian beliefs and condemnation and sinfulness, I would use another forum besides…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/if-i-should-ever-decide-in-the-future-to-discuss-my-deep-christian/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [When I took over from my father, he came from the Southern Baptist background, and back 40-50 years ago, there was a lot more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/when-i-took-over-from-my-father-he-came-from-the-southern-baptist/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [-Do not condemn people, instead try to understand them - Try honestly to see things from other people's point of view - The only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewels/do-not-condemn-people-instead-try-to-understand-them-try-honestly-to/)

[Jewels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewels/)

> [“It’s difficult to take oneself with sufficient seriousness to begin any sentence with the words “Thou shalt not.” But who cannot summon the confidence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-s-difficult-to-take-oneself-with-sufficient-seriousness-to-begin/)

[Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/)

> [“ 'Yes, we rather condemn people for eternity without the courtesy of informing them.' ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-pearl/yes-we-rather-condemn-people-for-eternity-without-the-courtesy-of/)

[Matthew Pearl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-pearl/)

> [I don't like to condemn people because what that means is that you're only condemning yourself about a part of you that you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-morrison/i-don-t-like-to-condemn-people-because-what-that-means-is-that-you-re/)

[Van Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-morrison/)

> [What I'm saying in my books boils down to this: Mine religion for what is good and avoid what is deleterious. Don't condemn people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/what-i-m-saying-in-my-books-boils-down-to-this-mine-religion-for-what/)

[Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/)

> [I am very conscious that you can't condemn people of an earlier era by the standards of ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/i-am-very-conscious-that-you-can-t-condemn-people-of-an-earlier-era/)

[Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/)

> [I don't have it in my heart to condemn people. I'm here to encourage them. I see myself more as a coach, as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/i-don-t-have-it-in-my-heart-to-condemn-people-i-m-here-to-encourage/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [If it be an evil to judge rashly or untruly any single man, how much a greater sin it is to condemn a whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/if-it-be-an-evil-to-judge-rashly-or-untruly-any-single-man-how-much-a/)

[William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/)

> [It is wrong to condemn people for doing a thing and then offer no alternative but failure. A person could get mad about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/it-is-wrong-to-condemn-people-for-doing-a-thing-and-then-offer-no/)

[Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/)

> [If you're going to condemn a people based on the actions of the worst of its ranks; take a good look at the worst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/if-you-re-going-to-condemn-a-people-based-on-the-actions-of-the-worst/)

[Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/)

> [In Confession, Jesus welcomes us with all our sinfulness, to give us a new heart, capable of loving as he loves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/in-confession-jesus-welcomes-us-with-all-our-sinfulness-to-give-us-a/)

[Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/)

> [Accepting the reality of our sinfulness means accepting our authentic self. Judas could not face his shadow; Peter could. The latter befriended the impostor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brennan-manning/accepting-the-reality-of-our-sinfulness-means-accepting-our-authentic/)

[Brennan Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brennan-manning/)

## More by Jimmy Carter

> [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [I think politicians really go with the tide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-think-politicians-really-go-with-the-tide/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [There's no way to have a peace agreement unless the mediator or negotiator looks at both sides from an equal basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/there-s-no-way-to-have-a-peace-agreement-unless-the-mediator-or/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. In all of his teachings about multiple things - he never said that gay people should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/jesus-never-said-a-word-about-homosexuality-in-all-of-his-teachings/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself, and where they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/penalties-against-possession-of-a-drug-should-not-be-more-damaging-to/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [No poor, rural, weak, or black person should ever again have to bear the additional burden of being deprived of the opportunity for an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/no-poor-rural-weak-or-black-person-should-ever-again-have-to-bear-the/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [Our individual fates are linked our futures intertwined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/our-individual-fates-are-linked-our-futures-intertwined/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [Southerners, whose ancestors a hundred years ago knew the horrors of a homeland devastated by war, are particularly determined that war shall never come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/southerners-whose-ancestors-a-hundred-years-ago-knew-the-horrors-of-a/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [I think the most challenging thing for me in my life and in the Bible is that we worship Jesus as the Prince of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-think-the-most-challenging-thing-for-me-in-my-life-and-in-the-bible/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [Faith implies a continuing search, not necessarily a final answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/faith-implies-a-continuing-search-not-necessarily-a-final-answer/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [I don't want to tell President Obama how to make a speech. He's a much better speech maker than I am. But I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-don-t-want-to-tell-president-obama-how-to-make-a-speech-he-s-a-much/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [We must make it clear that a platform of 'I hate gay men and women' is not a way to become president of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/we-must-make-it-clear-that-a-platform-of-i-hate-gay-men-and-women-is/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [I have a very real political awareness that at least on a transient basis the more drastic action taken by the president, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-have-a-very-real-political-awareness-that-at-least-on-a-transient/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [Everyone has a right to peaceful coexistence, the basic personal freedoms, the alleviation of suffering, and the opportunity to lead a productive life...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/everyone-has-a-right-to-peaceful-coexistence-the-basic-personal/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [Energy will be the immediate test of our ability to unite this Nation, and it can also be the standard around which we rally.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/energy-will-be-the-immediate-test-of-our-ability-to-unite-this-nation/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

[Explore all 532 Jimmy Carter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

## More Being quotes

> [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/)

[Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/)

> [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/)

[Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/)

> [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/)

[Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/)

> [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/)

[Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/)

> [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/)

[Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/)

> [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/)

[James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/)

> [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/)

[Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/)

> [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/)

[Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/)

> [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/)

[Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/)

> [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/)

[Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/)

> [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/)

[Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/)

> [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/)

[Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/)

> [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/)

[Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/)

[Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "We have a tendency to condemn people who are different from us, to define their sins as paramount and our own sinfulness as being insignificant.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jimmy Carter"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/we-have-a-tendency-to-condemn-people-who-are-different-from-us-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Being"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/we-have-a-tendency-to-condemn-people-who-are-different-from-us-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/jimmy-carter-479_being_we-have-a-tendency-to-condemn-people-who_3200300.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/jimmy-carter-479_being_we-have-a-tendency-to-condemn-people-who_3200300.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/jimmy-carter-479_being_we-have-a-tendency-to-condemn-people-who_3200300.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We have a tendency to condemn people who are different from us, to define their sins as paramount and our…” — Jimmy Carter",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jimmy Carter",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "We have a tendency to condemn...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/we-have-a-tendency-to-condemn-people-who-are-different-from-us-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/we-have-a-tendency-to-condemn-people-who-are-different-from-us-to/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
