Is it wrong to judge others based on our own moral and ethical standards?

We live in a world full of judgement and hypocrisy because most people hardly realize their own mistakes; instead, they strive to point out someone else's.

Here are a few of the most important reasons why we should not judge other people.

• Lack of information: Are you sure you know all the facts about the person? Most of the time, you judge a situation without knowing the whole story. It is very important to hold off until you know all the facts. It's one of the most clear reasons why we shouldn't judge other people.
• Each person is different from the other: Remember, people have on thing is common; they are all different. If you don't like doing something, it doesn't mean that other people should not do it too. For example, when you don't like going shopping on weekends, you shouldn't tell another person that shopping is just boring. People can do what they want, that's why you should stop judging other people based on your own preferences/standards.
• Do unto others as you would have them done unto you: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' is a command based on words of a Christian Prophet, Jesus Christ. Before judging someone, put yourself in his/her shoes. It's really terrible being judged, but often we do it to other people without thinking. So, ask yourself how you would feel if you were judged.
• Acceptance and tolerance: It is good to have enough tolerance. There are several ways to train yourself to become wiser and more tolerant. Maybe you don't approve of what others have done, but it's not up to you to judge what he or she did. Live and live. When someone has done something wrong, but really wants to change, why don't you give him/her a second chance. How do you know that the person doesn't really want to change.
• Appearances are often deceptive: Meeting people for the first time, we always make a judgement based on their appearances though the proverb (do not judge a book by its cover) tells us not to make such a mistake. And it's one of the most obvious reasons why we should not judge others.
• You actually define yourself: Earl Nightingale has rightly said, "when you judge others, you do not define them, you define yourself." Do you want others to think of you as someone who judges everybody? Ask your friends, your peers, what they think. If majority of them say that you often judge others, then it might be time to stop being judgmental.

Let's not forget to quote Paulo Coelho and say, "we can never judge the lives of others, because each person only knows their own pain and renunciation." Judge less, accept more, and restore your happiness.

Last but not least, remember that whatever goes around will definitely come around. So, what you give another will come back to you at some point in your life too. Karma truly is a "bitch".

Before you judge another, learn to understand the circumstances of the situation in their life first. Once you understand, you will most likely be able to better accept their choices, and most definitely it will be easier for you to tolerate whatever it is that would have made you judge them in the first place.

This article is the opinion of Zarif Menon exclusively and makes no specific reference to any other person dead or alive unless expressly mentioned herein.