Agreed. Although My friend is a nice guy and his folks are nice people, a lack of empathy invariably forms the basis of passive cruelty.  Not empathy as in &quot;let&#x27;s forgive everyone for everything&quot;, but &quot;let me honestly consider your point of view even it may conflict with the way I&#x27;m supporting myself&quot;. This is, of course, generally impossible for most people, including myself, since it takes a great deal of mental and financial security to weather that kind of introspection.