In your relations with those in whom there is something to disapprove, tread the razor. I am speaking of things I do not fully understand. But someone who understood them better, I think, might speak to us as follows.
In fear you must avoid both connivance at my bad moral character, and the greater monstrosity of moral pride. If you avoid me because of what I do, do it because you are not good enough to be with a man as bad as me, not because you are too good. If you say in your heart that you are too good, it were better that you sought my company. If you say in your heart that you are better than me, it were better that you did connive at my wrong. For that secret will make you the worse of us, unless I play at the same game.
You may avoid my society, but you must not flaunt the avoidance. Though it may be your duty to warn others against me, it cannot be your right to do so out of malice. Though you know that your aloofness may cause pain, the production of pain must not be your aim. You may deny me discretionary benefits if it is your office to make the decision, but you may not deny those benefits that are my due as a human being, especially those which might assist the amendment of my life. Though you withdraw approval from my flaws, you may not withhold charity from my person.
Refuse to indulge in yourself the conceit that you can examine my soul; remember your own proneness to vice and error; and at all times remember that you are an object of tolerance to others – especially when you are most inclined to pass judgment on me.