It’s equally logical to view human beings as essentially flawed, sinful and evil … or as essentially good, compassionate and loving. We all have all these characteristics; which ones we regard as “the real thing” is a matter of emphasis, of choice.

If I choose to believe we are essentially bad, I expect, enable and reinforce evil behavior. I treat you badly, and myself too. I shut down my compassion and love. I experience the world as threatening, tighten my body, and impair my health.

If I choose to believe we are essentially good, I create a world that fulfills this expectation. I heal and grow, and encourage the flowering of love, beauty and joy.
I’m not exactly a Buddhist. But I’m with the Dalai Lama when he says “My religion is kindness.”[1]

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[1] (He says this so often there is not one single source to quote for documentation.)