The late South African Anglican Archbishop and Nobel Peace laureate, Desmond Tutu, once said “Our maturity will be judged by how well we are able to agree to disagree and yet continue to love one another, to care for one another, and cherish one another and seek the greater good of the other.” In this statement, he encapsulates the idea of maturity being reflected in how we handle disagreements and conflicts with others. When we agree to disagree, we show that we are mature individuals who can acknowledge differences of opinion without letting them escalate into hostility or division. Instead of trying to force everyone to think the same way, we accept that diversity of thought exists and respect it.
Our disagreements notwithstanding, we can still maintain a sense of empathy, compassion, and respect for others. We should not let conflicts erode the bonds of love, care, and appreciation that should exist between people. When we seek the greater good of others, we prioritise their well-being and happiness, even when their viewpoints differ from ours. We look beyond personal interests and strive for collective benefit and harmony. In essence, Archbishop Tutu emphasises the importance of maintaining good relationships through empathy and commitment to the common good, even when disagreements arise.
