Baltasar Gracian, a medieval Spanish philosopher, wrote the following nugget of wisdom in his book ‘The Art of Worldly Wisdom‘:
“To each, the dignity that befits him.”
This short, simple sentence was effective enough to stick with me months after reading it.
Why?
To me, this saying has two distinct meanings.
The Limitation
Firstly, that someone’s good character toward you is a sign of the dignified, noble person he is. Conversely, the worse someone treats you, the more of a scoundrel he is. The easier acting treacherously comes to a man, the clearer it serves as a sign of his low, ignoble character and ultimately his lack of dignity.
This much is obvious.
But it is also a reminder that people generally only act according to their capacity. If someone wrongs you with bad behaviour, it is a limitation of their overall ability and character. They are perhaps merely a product of their environment and should be pitied.
The discerning man may understand this and therefore choose to show leniency based upon it.
From this perspective, this aphorism acts as a judgement upon someone aimed at honouring the good and comforting one’s self against the evil of others.
The Transcendence
The second meaning is one of a more optimistic temper.
If one sees himself as a person of good character, then he must act with the level of dignity that comes with it in all he does. He can however, choose to act with an even higher level of dignity which is not necessarily expected of his actual state.
By doing so, he elevates his character to the level of his action. His character rises to meet his extraordinary act and he raises himself to new heights.
His superogatory act of nobility raises his character to the level in which such a type of treatment is expected.
In summary, this aphorism comprises of both a sobering, even empathetic judgement of others and an exhortation to one’s self to ascent to new heights.
May we each act with the dignity we believe befits us.