The Bugis-Makassar philosophy of sipakatau — treating others as human beings with dignity — became an important moral foundation. Respecting people regardless of background is deeply rooted in local wisdom.
By Kamaruddin Azis, founder the Maritime Posts
MARITIMEPOSTS.COM – Since becoming a blogger in 2007, I, Kamaruddin Azis, have spent years observing people, societies, and the endless flow of stories that move across social media and daily life.
Blogging was never only about writing articles or publishing opinions. It became a way to understand humanity itself. Through communication, travel, observation, and reflection,
I learned that the world is filled with complexity: kindness and cruelty, honesty and manipulation, wisdom and ignorance.
As a blogger, I witnessed how information shapes human behavior. Social media can educate people, inspire movements, and connect communities across nations.
Yet at the same time, it can also spread hatred, fake news, provocation, and division. In many moments, I found myself facing two opposite realities: proven facts and misinformation, constructive discussions and toxic arguments, intellectual honesty and emotional manipulation.
This duality taught me an important lesson: being intellectual is not merely about knowledge.
It is also about responsibility. An educated person must learn to verify information, control emotions, and understand the consequences of words.
In the digital age, people can easily become victims of false narratives because emotions often travel faster than truth. Therefore, critical thinking and empathy must walk together.
Intelligence without empathy creates arrogance, while empathy without intelligence can create confusion.
My journeys across Indonesia strengthened these reflections. When I lived in Aceh and later traveled to Nias Island, I encountered communities very different from my own background.
Differences appeared everywhere — religion, attitudes, communication styles, food preferences, customs, and social habits. At first, these differences seemed distant.
However, the more I listened to people and shared experiences with them, the more I realized that diversity is not a threat. It is a mirror that helps us understand ourselves.
In Aceh, I observed a society strongly shaped by Islamic traditions and discipline. In Nias, I saw unique local customs and strong communal values that reflected a completely different cultural atmosphere.
Neither was superior nor inferior. They were simply expressions of human civilization shaped by history and geography. These experiences reminded me of what the philosopher Confucius once emphasized: harmony does not mean uniformity. Human beings can be different while still respecting one another.
From these encounters, I learned the importance of social empathy. Empathy is not agreement. Respecting others does not mean abandoning our own principles. Sometimes people misunderstand tolerance as surrendering identity.
In reality, empathy means recognizing the dignity of others while maintaining our own values and traditions. We do not need to imitate everyone we meet. We do not need to rush to judge people or avoid conversations simply because they think differently. We only need to respect them as fellow human beings.
As professionals and responsible individuals, we must remain focused on our goals and principles. We can appreciate differences without losing ourselves.
This balance is essential in multicultural societies like Indonesia. The Indonesian philosopher and national figure Nurcholish Madjid often emphasized that openness and respect are foundations of civilized society. A strong person is not someone who dominates others, but someone who can live peacefully amid differences.
Another lesson I repeatedly encountered during my travels was the existence of contradictory personalities. In every place, there are individuals whose attitudes may conflict with our standards or moral values.
Some are arrogant, dishonest, aggressive, or driven by hatred. On social media especially, haters and provocateurs often appear louder than thoughtful people. They attack without understanding, criticize without solutions, and spread negativity because they are consumed by insecurity or anger.
How should we deal with such people?
My experiences across Sumatra, Java, Maluku, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua taught me a simple but powerful answer: accept reality and practice patience.
Not every conflict deserves retaliation. Not every insult requires response. Sometimes silence is wiser than argument. The Stoic philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius taught that we cannot control other people’s actions, but we can control our reactions. This principle remains deeply relevant today.
Hatred often grows because people seek validation, attention, or emotional release. Responding emotionally only strengthens the cycle.
Patience, meanwhile, is not weakness. It is emotional discipline. It reflects maturity and self-control. In many traditional Indonesian cultures, patience is closely connected to wisdom.
People who remain calm amid provocation are often seen as possessing inner strength.
Sulawesi, my motherland, taught me many of these values. Growing up in a region filled with cultural diversity, different religions, and varied traditions shaped my ability to adapt to different environments.
The Bugis-Makassar philosophy of sipakatau — treating others as human beings with dignity — became an important moral foundation. Respecting people regardless of background is deeply rooted in local wisdom.
Perhaps this is why many Indonesians can adapt easily abroad.
Whether in Singapore, Oman, or Australia, we carry the experience of living among diversity. We understand how to negotiate differences while maintaining our identity. Adaptation does not mean losing culture; it means learning how to coexist respectfully in changing environments.
At the same time, modern society demands strong character. The world today is noisy, competitive, and emotionally exhausting. Social media often rewards outrage rather than wisdom.
Many people seek popularity more than truth. In such conditions, virtues become increasingly important.
Philosophers from Aristotle to Al-Ghazali emphasized that character is built through habits. Honesty, patience, courage, humility, and respect are not born instantly.
They are cultivated through continuous practice and self-awareness.
Strong character also means avoiding destructive influences. We should not allow ourselves to become consumed by toxic people, endless online hostility, or pointless hatred. This does not mean isolating ourselves from society.
Rather, it means protecting our mental and moral clarity. As the saying goes, “Do not wrestle with pigs; both get dirty, but the pig enjoys it.” Sometimes wisdom lies in choosing where to invest our energy.
Looking back at my journey as a blogger since 2007, I realize that writing has never only been about producing content. It has been about understanding people and understanding myself.
Every interaction, every journey, every disagreement, and every friendship became part of an intellectual and emotional education.
In the end, intellectual growth must be accompanied by empathy. Knowledge alone cannot unite humanity. Respect, patience, and understanding are equally important.
The world will always contain good information and bad information, good people and difficult people, truth and manipulation. But our responsibility as human beings is to remain thoughtful, respectful, and grounded in virtues.
That, perhaps, is one of the most important lessons Indonesia has taught me.
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Gowa, 26 May 2026
