See everything, overlook a great deal, correct a little.

“See everything, overlook a great deal, correct a little.” — Pope John XXIII.

Thus spoke Pope John XXIII, the gentle shepherd of souls, whose wisdom flowed not from judgment but from mercy. In this single sentence, he revealed the secret of true leadership, true compassion, and true peace. To see everything is the call of awareness — to open one’s eyes to the truth of the world without fear or denial. To overlook a great deal is the act of mercy — to see human frailty and forgive it without resentment. And to correct a little is the art of discernment — to guide with humility, not domination, and to mend only what truly needs mending. Within these few words lies a philosophy as vast as the heavens: that wisdom is not control, but compassion guided by restraint.

The origin of this quote rests in the character and ministry of Pope John XXIII himself, who was often called “Good Pope John.” Born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in humble Italian soil, he rose not through ambition, but through kindness. When he ascended to the papacy in 1958, the world expected a caretaker pope — one too old to change anything. Yet his warmth transformed hearts, and his vision transformed history. He convened the Second Vatican Council, not to condemn, but to renew the Church’s dialogue with the modern world. His life embodied the very principle he spoke: he saw everything — the tensions, the divisions, the sorrows of humanity — but rather than attack or condemn, he overlooked much in patience and corrected little with love. His quiet firmness changed the course of faith for generations.

This teaching, though simple, carries the weight of eternal truth. The one who truly “sees everything” does not blind himself to reality. He observes with clarity — the good and the bad, the noble and the flawed — for only the open-eyed can lead with understanding. Yet to see all is also to risk hardness of heart. Thus comes the second command: “overlook a great deal.” This is the call to mercy — to know when silence is wiser than scolding, when patience heals more than punishment. The wise man knows that life is a field where both wheat and weeds grow together, and that in tearing out the weeds too hastily, one may destroy the harvest itself.

The third instruction, “correct a little,” completes the balance. It does not mean apathy or inaction, but measured correction, guided by love and purpose. True correction is not the impulse of anger, but the fruit of discernment. The great leader, the parent, the teacher — all must learn this art. For those who correct everything destroy joy; those who correct nothing allow decay. But those who correct with gentleness and proportion bring forth growth. Pope John’s wisdom teaches that leadership is not about dominating others, but nurturing their dignity — as the gardener trims not to harm, but to help the plant bear fruit.

Consider the example of Abraham Lincoln, who led a fractured nation through its darkest hour. He, too, “saw everything” — the hatred, the division, the pain of war — and yet his heart remained soft. He “overlooked a great deal,” refusing vengeance even toward those who opposed him. When victory finally came, his words were not triumph but tenderness: “With malice toward none, with charity for all.” And when he corrected, it was always with purpose, not pride. Like Pope John, he knew that true power lies not in force, but in measured mercy. Such restraint, born of wisdom, is the highest form of strength.

In every age, this principle remains the foundation of peace — in homes, in nations, in the human heart. To “see everything” is the duty of awareness; to “overlook” is the practice of forgiveness; to “correct a little” is the wisdom of proportion. The one who lives by this triad becomes both gentle and strong — neither blind to faults nor consumed by them. This is the balance of divine vision and human love. For God Himself, the ancients believed, sees all things — every failure, every hidden good — and yet, out of infinite patience, He corrects little, guiding souls slowly toward perfection.

So let this be the lesson for all who seek wisdom: Be vigilant, be merciful, be measured. In your dealings with others, look deeply, but judge lightly. Speak truth, but let kindness temper it. When anger rises, remember that correction born of love will outlast punishment born of pride. As Pope John XXIII taught, the truly wise are those who can see the faults of the world and yet still love it. For the eye that sees all and the heart that forgives much — these belong not only to saints, but to those who strive daily to live with grace.

Thus, remember always: “See everything, overlook a great deal, correct a little.” This is not a counsel of weakness, but of divine strength. It is the way of the healer, the teacher, the peacemaker. To follow it is to walk with the calm of those who know that love, more than power, is the true architect of greatness.