In a world often marked by cruelty, being a nice person is seen as admirable. Nice individuals strive to be gentle, empathetic, and kind, avoiding conflict or causing pain to others. However, life inevitably presents situations where kindness alone is not enough. Difficult conversations must happen—such as ending a relationship, disciplining a child, or dismissing a colleague. These moments can be especially painful for those who were conditioned in childhood to fear confrontation, often due to emotionally volatile parents. As adults, such individuals may find it nearly impossible to be honest when honesty risks upsetting others.
Yet, true niceness requires more than endless agreement. It involves standing by one’s values, even when that leads to disagreement or tension. Sometimes, this means accepting short-term discomfort for long-term benefit. Being genuinely nice includes the courage to disrupt peace when necessary, in service of sincerity, integrity, and growth. Rather than being universally liked, mature individuals prioritize developing character over maintaining approval. Ultimately, the video argues that real kindness involves difficult choices and the strength to act according to one’s principles.
Vocabulary:
• strive (verb): to try very hard to do something.
• generous (adj): willing to give and share.
• defeated (adj): feeling like a failure or that one has lost.
• ruffle (verb): to upset or irritate someone.
• colleague (noun): a person you work with.
• agony (noun): extreme pain or suffering.
• temptation (noun): a strong desire to do something, especially something wrong.
• forthright (adj): honest and direct.
• emollience (noun): the quality of being soft or soothing (in this context, avoiding conflict).
• bonhomie (noun): friendly and cheerful behavior.
Source: School of thought youtube channel