Why is There Violence, Cruelty, and Selfishness in the World? (That's the Wrong Question)
Stop lamenting that a fig tree produces figs, and you will have your answer.
If you’ve ever asked: Why do people act this way? Why is there so much ignorance and cruelty? Why is the world the way it is? You’re not alone. But what if those are the wrong questions? What if the answer isn’t what you think—but once you see it, everything changes?
The two main philosophies that inform my life are Stoicism and Taoism—both rooted in ancient wisdom, yet emerging from opposite ends of the world. While they developed independently, they share striking parallels in their teachings.
Stoicism
Stoicism originated in ancient Greece around the 3rd century BCE, founded by Zeno of Citium. It later flourished in Rome through the works of Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius.
At its core, Stoicism teaches self-mastery, resilience, and the pursuit of virtue. It emphasizes distinguishing between what is within our control and what is not, training the mind to focus on reason, integrity, and inner tranquility rather than external circumstances.
Taoism
Taoism, on the other hand, arose in ancient China around the same time, attributed to the legendary figure Laozi (Lao Tzu), though whether he was a single historical person or a composite figure remains uncertain. Its foundational text, the Tao Te Ching, is a poetic guide to living in harmony with the natural order of the universe—the Tao.
Taoism teaches the art of wu wei (effortless action), flowing with the rhythms of life rather than resisting them, and understanding that forcing control over the uncontrollable leads to suffering.
That’s why I’m drawn to them and remain a devoted student of both of these philosophies, whose core teachings remind us
to relinquish control where we have none and to focus our energy on what is actually within our power.
that peace comes not from trying to control the world (or anyone in it), but from mastering our own thoughts, actions, and responses.
that wisdom lies in knowing where we end and the rest of the world begins.
Of course, the concept of letting go is not unique to Stoicism or Taoism—it’s woven into Buddhism, Christian mysticism, mindfulness practices, and many other traditions. But these are the two that resonate most with me. They are the reason I have hope instead of despair, joy instead of cynicism, and clarity instead of chaos. They don’t just guide me—they sustain me, in good times and in bad, in certainty and in doubt, in stillness and in struggle.
First, there’s Taoism and the Tao Te Ching, which keeps me centered and keeps me sane. This foundational text comprises 81 short chapters, each offering poetic yet profound guidance on living with integrity, humility, and compassion.
For me, it is a manual for living, and my practice involves reading it daily, memorizing its passages, and striving to embody (and understand) its wisdom.
But that’s easier said than done. While many chapters are little gems of wisdom that resonate deeply and penetrate easily, others are far more perplexing, challenging me to reconsider my assumptions and stretch my understanding.
A Passage That Challenged Me
One such passage is verse 29:
Do you want to improve the world?
I don’t think it can be done.The world is sacred.
It can’t be improved.
If you tamper with it, you’ll ruin it.
If you treat it like an object, you’ll lose it.
When I first read that, I thought, that’s absolutely ridiculous. Of course I can improve the world. That’s what I do. I’m an activist. I’m an advocate. I’m a changemaker. Every single day, I wake up with the intention of making the world a better place—for animals, for humans, and for the planet.
It’s not just a belief; it’s my life’s work.
Let me share the rest of the chapter with you...
There is a time for being ahead,
a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion,
a time for being at rest;
a time for being vigorous,
a time for being exhausted;
a time for being safe,
a time for being in danger.The Master sees things as they are,
without trying to control them.
She lets them go their own way,
and resides at the center of the circle.
If that sounds somewhat familiar to you, it’s because it’s a universal concept that many of us in the West were exposed to through Biblical verses, particularly Ecclesiastes 3, and popular songs inspired by that.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
These verses from the King James (1611) version of the Bible were used almost verbatim in Pete Seeger’s song, "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season),” which you’ve no doubt heard.
As many times as I’ve read the Tao Te Ching over the last 25 years—and I read passages from it every single day—I never fail to be amazed at its wisdom, which is as applicable today as it would have been 2,300 years ago.
But that first part of verse 29 (“I don’t think the world can be improved”) completely unsettled me. It sounded so...defeatist. In the context of how I understand the world and live my life, it just didn’t feel true.
And I struggled with it for years. At some point, I convinced myself that maybe this passage just didn’t apply to me—that I could set it aside and move on.
But that’s not why I chose it as my guide for living. It’s not meant to be easy or comforting—it’s meant to challenge me, push me, and demand deeper reflection. And boy, did it push me.
The Aha Moment
Then finally—after years trying to unlock it—something clicked.
I got it, and I realized it wasn’t defeatist at all.
It was revelatory.
It was comforting.
It was liberating.
When we accept that the world cannot be changed, it’s not that we stop fostering integrity, compassion, and justice. It’s that we stop resisting the fact that the world is by its nature imperfect.
Another way to articulate this is through the through the brilliant words of writer and activist Rebecca Solnit:
“This is Earth. There will always be cruelty, always be violence, always be destruction. We cannot eliminate all devastation for all time, but we can reduce it, outlaw it, undermine its sources and foundations: these are victories. A better world, yes; a perfect world, never.”
Reorienting ourselves to the world’s inherent imperfection frees us from the weight of unrealistic expectations.
We understand where we end and the rest of the world begins.
We stop trying to control the uncontrollable.
We do our work, then step back.
We plant seeds without being attached to how and if those seeds will germinate.
Why This Changes Everything
Orienting myself to the fundamental nature of the world is the most challenging task I set for myself each day, yet it brings me more clarity and tranquility than anything else I do.
When I stopped trying to change the nature of the world—or the people in it—I stopped being surprised that a fig tree produces figs, as Stoic philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius says in Meditations, Book 8:
“It is a shame to be surprised when the fig-tree produces figs.”
That’s what fig trees do.
In other words, it’s a shame to be surprised when people act like people. (That’s what people do.)
It’s a shame to be surprised when the world is chaotic, unpredictable, and unjust. (It always has been.)
It’s a shame to be surprised when greed, ignorance, and cruelty persist. (They always have.)
It’s a shame to be surprised when history repeats itself. (It always will.)
We waste so much time lamenting. We ask: Why is there violence? Why is there stupidity? Why is there cruelty, selfishness, bigotry, and ignorance in the world? Those are the wrong questions. Lamenting that these things exist is the same as being shocked that a fig tree produces figs.
The world is imperfect. Whoever told you otherwise? It has never been anything but.
Instead of asking why there is stupidity, selfishness, cruelty, and willful ignorance in the world, what we need to do instead is ask:
How can I show up with compassion, wisdom, empathy, truth, thoughtfulness, integrity, kindness—all of the things that actually make the world a better place?
When we spend our time focused on what we can control, we stop wasting our energy lamenting that a fig tree produces figs.
Do you want to improve the world?
I don't think it can be done.
The world is sacred.
It can't be improved.
If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it.
If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it.
There is a time for being ahead,
a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion,
a time for being at rest;
a time for being vigorous,
a time for being exhausted;
a time for being safe,
a time for being in danger.
The Master sees things as they are,
without trying to control them.
She lets them go their own way,
and resides at the center of the circle.
~Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu, trans. by Stephen Mitchell
A Short Video Version
In light of relentless natural disasters, escalating political violence, deepening divisions, and a fear that our future lies in the hands of those with opposing interests and values, many people are grappling with an overwhelming sense of despair, anxiety, and powerlessness. I’m here for you in so many ways. I hope you find community and comfort here, and I would love to know how you find peace of mind.
Other Ways I Might Help
👉 Because the publisher took The Vegan Table (and Color Me Vegan) out of print, I am able to repurpose all of my recipes for which I own the copyright again. Please check out my Recipe E-Books and my library of On-Demand Cooking Classes for more tried and true recipes!
👉 Work with me 1:1 – Get personalized guidance to build healthier habits, cultivate self-compassion, communicate with conviction, strengthen emotional resilience, or whatever you are looking for.
👉 Read A Year of Compassion – Daily inspiration to help you live with intention, kindness, and compassion for humankind, animalkind, and the ecosystems we all depend on.
👉 Listen to Food for Thought – Inspiration for living compassionately, sustainably, and healthfully (18 years strong!)
👉 Travel with me! I host animal-friendly, luxury, all-inclusive vegan trips around the world, specifically curated to ensure high-quality, high-touch premium experiences. Check out our upcoming trips, and let me know if you have any questions.
You never cease to inspire me! I find it comforting to read the words of someone so deeply committed to living with integrity. I also love the way you write with such compassion for your reader, and I think that even if I were nonvegan, I’d *still* find your approach relatable. You’re a wonderful ambassador! 💚