The practice of compassion

The more clearly we articulate our principles, the more possible it is to criticize others who act contrary to them. "How could they do such a thing?" we wonder. This is the sentiment behind most of our voiced grievances. 

Criticism's opposite is compassion. Whether compassion benefits those with whom we are compassionate, it always benefits the one who practices compassion. 

One approach is to imagine what kind of rational motivation someone might have for what we consider irrational actions. Being human means being capable of ineffective means to legitimate ends.  

Compassion doesn't condone anything. It simply provides context so we are less distracted from our own goodness.