People Are People
Globalization has brought different cultures together in a way unimaginable one hundred years ago. Today, Chinese, Indians, Arabs, Africans, Anglos, and Hispanics may all work in the same offices, attend the same schools or live in the same neighborhoods And our society has lately emphasized（强调）the importance of diversity.
Take the following old proverbs for example.
“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” Thomas Jefferson, American President
“One falsehood spoils a thousand truths.” African proverb
“Be honest to those who are honest, and be also to those who are not honest.” Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher
“A sacrifice is written off by a lie and the merit of devotion by an act of cheat.” Hindu saying
These seems to be a sort of cultural unity.
We don't wish to imply all cultures are the same. Cultural diversity is real, and people from different cultures view many situations in different ways. However, historically, different cultures seem to share many common values. They are justice, courage, patience, generosity, equality, mercy and kindness, respect for the elders, and many more. Lying and stealing appear to be wrong no matter where you go. Perhaps some cultures make room for extenuating（情有可原）circumstances more than others; perhaps cultures apply these virtues in different ways; and when values disagree, different cultures may place different levels of importance on them But both cultures may still value both.
To us, it seems as if there is some sort of code of right and wrong that everyone everywhere seems to understand, regardless of culture. It is almost as if, behind all of the diversity, one finds a common understanding – a human culture, if you will – that goes beyond racial, social, and political boundaries.
A. All people seem to agree that we should tell the truth.
B. As cultures meet with each other, many differences stand out.
C. Each value supports many more sayings from different cultures.
D. We want to show, however, that there is more to these cultures than diversity.
E. These sayings from four separate cultures all support the same value – honesty.
F. It is almost as if, despite all our differences, we are all still the same – we are just people.
G. In other words, one culture may lean more toward justice and another culture more toward mercy.
