Hanlon's razor

Their wordsThis isn’t to say that genuine malice doesn’t exist. Of course, it does. But in most interactions, stupidity is a far more common explanation than malevolence.

Their wordsHanlon’s razor is a mental safeguard against the temptation to label behavior as malicious when incompetence is the most common response.

Their wordsInability or neglect is far more likely to be the cause than malice.

Their wordsNever attribute to malice what you can attribute to stupidity. And never attribute to stupidity what you can attribute to time pressure.

Their wordsWhen we assume stupidity rather than malice, we respond differently. Instead of getting defensive or lashing out, we approach the situation with empathy and clarity.

Their wordsThe more we dislike someone or something, the more likely we are to attribute their actions to malice.

Their wordsThe default is to assume no malice and forgive everything. But if malice is confirmed, be ruthless.