What a treasure is a person of true self-esteem, who need not be humored or appeased,
who does not see disagreement as a personal affront or agreement as a show of weakness,
who does not feel threatened by the honest aspirations of others,
who does not mistake pride for honor, or prejudice for principle, or privilege for merit.
With such a person, conversation is possible; compromise is possible, and, dare we hope, even common civility is possible.
