[One Thousand Characters a Day] Books for Commuting <2> - If Human Relationships Are Difficult

Editor's NoteTo live by the riverbank, you must befriend the crocodiles. The riverbank is the workplace, and the crocodiles are hardship itself. They are sociopathic bosses, unpleasant partners, irritating colleagues, and clueless juniors. The problem is that to survive, you must fetch water from the riverbank no matter what. Inevitably, you have to face the crocodiles. ＜Books for Commuters＞ discusses interpersonal relationships at work. ＜Night Flight＞ offers an ultra-dense look into the inner psychology of a workaholic boss. ＜Praise of Imperfection＞ seems to tell us that humans are inherently imperfect and foolish, so don’t get hurt by such trivial humans. ＜Stoner＞ and ＜The Death of Management＞ teach how to protect your inner self amid misunderstandings and conflicts that inevitably arise in social life. Word count: 1000.

People with problematic personalities sometimes appear in the workplace, attacking others with unjust reasons, bullying, ostracizing, and causing harm. Some of these people have influence and power. I am weak and can only suffer greatly. It’s infuriating and frustrating. But at such times, I think of Stoner and reflect on this passage.

'It is worse to commit injustice than to suffer injustice.'

This maxim from Plato’s Gorgias states that committing injustice is something to feel shame about, while suffering injustice is honorable. When comparing the two on an equal footing, the former is a far more evil act.

The values instilled by modern society are the opposite. Perhaps due to advertisements and popular culture emphasizing the 'self,' being 'taken advantage of,' 'fooled like a fool,' or 'unable to say no' is perceived as more shameful and miserable than 'hurting others' or 'attacking.' Instead, only winning over others and emerging victorious is encouraged. We are told to defend and protect ourselves firmly. As a result, aren’t we becoming desensitized to being harsh and hurting others at work? Even if we commit injustice, we might think it’s okay because we were not the ones who suffered injustice.

Stoner shows how to tame the crocodiles (enemies) of the riverbank (workplace) in his own way. Perhaps he loves the world of English literature so much that he lives without much concern for Romax. He seems to have reached a state where he loves the very scenery of the riverbank so much that crocodiles don’t bother him. I admired Stoner’s calmness and decisiveness, his tranquility and rigor. Even if he loses a fight, even if he must endure Romax’s torment throughout his life.

And I also thought that we must accept, chillingly but silently, the lifelong adversaries we meet, like Romax, and the duels with them.

Whether the crocodile is inside me or outside, mastering the crocodile is inevitable.

When you catch one crocodile, another appears. I now realize the riverbank might not be a riverbank but a crocodile zoo.

- Gu Chae-eun, ＜Books for Commuters＞, Pajit, 16,800 KRW

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.