Complaints

Anonymous Worksman:

Zate, teacher of Colonius, I hope you would not mind me asking a question.

Zate:

I always have time for the seekers of wisdom. What is it, my good man?

Anonymous Worksman:

When do you think it is right for someone to complain?

Zate:

When life gets so hectic and crazy they have nothing left to do but complain.

Anonymous Worksman:

So, the worst thing thats ever happened to them, right?

Zate says:

Quite.

Anonymous Worksman:

Okay, so how about this? Two families; family A is a wealthy happy family, with a teenager who has everything he wants - friends, money, courage, whatever he wants.

Family B is a single mother trying to support her two small children, on a poor wage.

Let's say while the teenager is doing some sports he breaks his arm and is put off the team. This is the worst thing that has ever happened to him.

On family B's side, however, the mother is trampled by a horse while trying to get groceries. The two kids are left at home because the older one said that she could take care of the younger one

Hours pass, and they get hungry, so they try making food on the stove, despite their mothers warning about the stove. They start a fire and the older child burns to death while the younger child barely survives. This is obviously the worst moment of his life.

Does this still give the teenager a right to complain?

Zate:

Hrm... Yes. It does.

Anonymous Worksman:

How so?

Zate:

Him breaking his arm is the worst thing that has happened to him. While the whole situation with the younger child is the worst thing that has happened to him.

In a sense, the teenager has no right to complain, because the childs life is worse. But as I doubt this teenager is aware of his surroundings, like most teenagers these days, he wouldn't know about the bad situation the child was put in. So unless the teenager knows about what happened to the child, he has a right to complain. It's all about perspective, my friend.

Anonymous Worksman:

So, all because he doesn't know anything about the other family, this gives him the right to complain?

Zate:

Precisely, as the teenager doesn't have any knowledge of it or any knowledge that someones life is worse. If you know that someones life is worse than yours, you have no right to complain.

Anonymous Worksman:

But he doesnt know, that he has a right to complain. Now, does this lack of knowledge make it right?

Zate:

Hrm... From the perspective of someone who knows of both, like ourselves, no.

Anonymous Worksman:

Thank you for your answer, Zate.

Zate:

Do you find my answer to be just?

Anonymous Worksman:

I'm not a moral compass

Zate:

Haha. In your opinion, my friend.

Anonymous Worksman:

Do you?

Zate:

Ah, but I said it, I have no right to judge it.

Anonymous Worksman:

Right... Thank you for your time, Zate.

Zate:

May the gods be with you.