To live in a more pleasant world, it is necessary to apply the general rule of being considerate toward others, avoiding causing them harm or nuisance.

Read DO NO HARM!: Let us be considerate

However, there are 3 exceptions to this rule:

1. GRIEVANCES DUE TO INDOCTRINATION

These are caused not by someone’s behavior, as it might seem, but actually by the indoctrination received by the person who feels offended. This is the case when someone dislikes others dressing a certain way, being scantily clad, or two men kissing or showing affection, etc., because their family, school, church, or elsewhere instilled in them that such things are wrong.

If someone holds a religious or moral code stating that wearing green is a sin, the rest of the population should not have to refrain from wearing that color, no matter how much it bothers the former. The doctrines one believes in are to be applied to oneself, if one chooses, but not to others. They should remain exclusively within our internal forum, like the steel structure that always stays enclosed within the foundations, where from the outside we do not even realize it exists.

Read DO NO HARM!: Let us think for ourselves and say no to toxic indoctrination

Let us be tolerant and not expect our dogmas to influence others in the slightest, as long as they do not cause any objective harm to anyone. And by objective, I mean independent of the education received—such as slapping someone, which hurts everyone regardless of what they have been taught.

Read DO NO HARM!: Let us be tolerant

The fact that someone feels bad because of another’s conduct does not necessarily mean that the latter has caused them harm.

2. FRUSTRATION OR ANGER BECAUSE OTHERS EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

We tend to have expectations of others, sometimes excessive ones, and when they do not behave as we wish, we feel bad.

We can demand compliance with agreements, that no one causes harm except in self-defense against an aggressor, that relationships be non-abusive, and that just laws be followed. But beyond that, others are free and can therefore do or not do as they please, even if it causes us frustration, anger, or even sadness. If someone sets the bar above these obligations, they are responsible for their own emotions.

Read DO NO HARM!: Let us be honest

Read DO NO HARM!: Let us not harm anyone

Read DO NO HARM!: Let us respect the freedom of others

If we are asked for something, we have the right to either grant or deny it. Three very obvious examples are if someone wants to have sex and we say no, if someone falls in love with us and we do not reciprocate, or if we decide to end a relationship because it makes us feel bad.

A less obvious example is if we decide to end our own life and it causes grief for the loved ones who care for us. This is not causing harm, but quite the opposite, as those who remain sad feel that way because of all the good we have done for them over time.

Read DO NO HARM!: Let us respect the painless death of others

Again, the fact that someone feels bad because of another’s conduct does not necessarily mean that the latter has caused them harm.

3. SELF-DEFENSE

Any innocent person under attack has the right to defend themselves, no matter how much this displeases the victimizer and their accomplices. And others have the right (and the moral duty) to defend such innocent victims. Let us build a defensive fortress around them and, if necessary, launch arrows at the attackers, no matter how much it hurts them.

Read LET US AVOID HARM!: Let us defend ourselves and others

In this third case, harm is indeed caused, but it is justified because it is in self-defense.

Let us not hesitate to apply this triad in order to exercise our rights and freedoms and respect those of others.

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