Some persons quickly gain our respect by the fine qualities they demonstrate. What about strangers, or some persons we know but whose qualities we do not find admirable? What will help us to maintain peaceful relations with these? This is not always easy to do. But here again the Bible comes to our aid. It shows us that we owe such ones fundamental respect as fellow members of the human family.

Thousands of years before modern scientists reached the conclusion that “all the peoples of the earth are a single family and have a common origin” (The Races of Mankind, 1951, pages 3, 4), the Bible contained that fact. (Gen. 1:26, 27; 3:20) And by showing that God “made out of one man every nation of men, to dwell upon the entire surface of the earth,” and that “God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him,” the Bible knocks down any reason for pride or prejudice based on race or nationality.​—Acts 17:26; 10:34, 35.

How superior is the positive principle stated by Jesus: “Just as you want men to do to you, do the same way to them.”​—Luke 6:31.

Yes, this positive principle shows that the way to ‘seek peace’ is not just by holding back from doing harmful things but by doing helpful things for others, things we ourselves would appreciate having done for us. A smile, a friendly greeting, expressions of courtesy as simple as opening a door for another, or expressions of gratitude for courtesies shown​—these and hundreds of other acts of human kindness can make a tremendous difference in our relations with others. Putting this principle to work in small ways prepares us for those times when doing so calls for greater effort and sacrifice.