I consider nothing human to be alien to me

In everyday life, I like to use the more catchy version and occasionally shout the sentence at strange behaviors or at people apologizing for their behavior.

Montaigne is said to have given the sentence a place of honor in his writings.

This last sentence leads us to a second great humanistic idea. The meaning of our lives lies in our relationships and connections with other people. This principle of connectedness was succinctly formulated in a comedy by Publius Terentius Afer, known as Terence. His epithet Afer ("the African") points to his origins – he was probably born around 190 BC as a slave in or near North African Carthage. Later, he became famous in Rome as a comedy writer. One of his characters says – and I present the Latin text since it is still often quoted in the original today.

Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto:

The full sentence is then: "I am a human, I consider nothing human alien to me".

1. Universal Human Experiences

The saying reminds us that all people – regardless of culture, origin, or way of life – share fundamental emotions, needs, and experiences. Joy, sorrow, love, fear – these feelings are universally human.

2. Understanding Human Weaknesses

When we understand that everyone makes mistakes, has weaknesses, and sometimes makes questionable decisions, we can develop more empathy and less prejudice. The realization "Nothing human is alien to me" helps us to judge less harshly.

3. Intercultural Perspective

In the context of different cultures and rituals, this thought allows us not to dismiss foreign practices as "exotic" or "primitive," but to understand and respect them as other forms of human expression.

4. Psychological Dimension

The sentence invites us to accept the darker sides of human nature as well. Instead of distancing ourselves from human abysses, we recognize that every person is capable of both good and bad.

5. Humanistic Perspective

As a humanistic principle, the saying emphasizes the fundamental connectedness of all people. It urges us to bridge differences and recognize what we have in common in our humanity.

I learned about the sentence "Nothing human is alien to me" initially in the book "How to Be Human". Sarah Bakewell authored the journey through humanism. From her, I also borrowed the second paragraph. Many thanks.