Tolerance is an important quality that helps us to put up with differences. It helps people to be patient and understanding to those who have different views, standards of living, religion, race, nationality, etc. Perhaps, it’s the only virtue that holds back from global conflicts. Tolerance can be shown in many ways, not only in agreeing with things that contradict your vision of life. For example, one person can disagree with others on any issues, but at the same time respect their opinion and treat with dignity. In this case he or she shows tolerance. It means that disagreement doesn’t always apply to intolerance. Unfortunately, not everyone is tolerant in this world. Tolerance is often one-sided. While you show respect and understanding of other people’s vision of life, they can ignore yours and try to reassure you that you are on the wrong side. Usually ill-mannered people behave in such a way. I think that tolerance is necessary in any civilized society. However, it would be wrong to believe that all people can achieve compromise on any debated issue. Accepting different points of view is a learned attribute. It takes to time and commitment to develop this skill. Tolerance is a highly useful quality indeed. Intolerance, on the contrary, can lead to many horrible acts. For example, Cain killed Abel because he couldn’t bear that his elder brother was important in the eye of God. This is only one of many example of intolerance in the course of history and mythology. In my opinion, children should be taught tolerance from the very young age. If everyone was at least partially tolerant, the world would be a much better place to live in.
