Another gem from Carl Rogers (see my 24 December 2002 entry for background on Rogers) struck me today as I became exacerbated with some people in my life:

"One of the most revolutionary concepts to grow out of clinical experience is the growing recognition that the innermost core of man's nature, the deepest layers of his personality, the base of his 'animal nature', is positive in nature—is basically socialized, forward-moving, rational and realistic.

This point of view is so foreign to our present culture that I do not expect it to be accepted, and it is indeed so revolutionary in its implications that it should not be accepted without thorough-going inquiry. But even if it should stand these tests, it will be difficult to accept" (from On Becoming a Person, 1961, Houghton-Mifflin, pp. 90-91).

For Rogers, the belief stood his tests. And it will stand mine, too, no matter how cruel people can be.

(See also entry of 1 June 2003 on whether or not there are "evil" people. See also entries of 15 October 2003, and 22 July 2003 for further thoughts on Rogers, notions of self, etc.).