And Jakub realized that this child had done no harm, that he was not guilty of anything, and yet had been born with bad eyes and would have them forever. And he reflected further that what he had held against others was something given, something they came into the world with and carried with them like a heavy wire fence. He reflected that he had no privileged right to high-mindedness and that the highest degree of high-mindedness is to love people even though they are murderers.
by Milan Kundera
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Jakub comes to a poignant realization about innocence and the burdens individuals carry since birth. He reflects on a child's condition, understanding that the child's "bad eyes" symbolize an inherent flaw for which the child should not be blamed. This sobering insight leads Jakub to recognize that his judgments against others are often based on traits they had no control over, much like the barriers of a wire fence. It highlights the randomness of life’s challenges.

Moreover, Jakub grapples with the notion of high-mindedness, acknowledging that he lacks the moral superiority he once thought he possessed. He learns that true compassion involves accepting and loving people, regardless of their past actions or moral failings. This realization emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in human relationships, suggesting that our ability to forgive and love is the highest form of virtue, transcending even the most grievous of offenses.

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