Revd Richard told a story from the Tao ...
WHEN LIEH-TZU was living in Cheng, he was poor and starving. A friend saw his condition and spoke to the chief minister, “Lieh-tzu is a sage who has attained The Tao. He is now living in your country poor and unrecognized. Why don't you send him a gift to show you appreciate an enlightened man when you see one?"
The chief minister immediately sent a gift of grain to LIEH-TZU.
When the minister's messenger arrived with the gift, LIEH-TZU went to the door, bowed twice to the honored guest, and politely refused the gift.
His wife was outraged with LIEH-TZU's behaviour and scolded him. "Wives and children of other sages live comfortable and we are starving. Now that we've finally gotten some food from the minister, why did you refuse it? How can you do this to us?"
LIEH-TZU smiled and said to his wife, "Let me tell you why I refused the gift. If I am honored because of another person's opinion, then I can also be dismissed because of someone's opinion. People's words can make you but they can also break you. That's why I am scared of receiving a gift based on someone's opinion of me. We may not be rich, but it is safer this way."
Jesus complained about being categorized in Matthew ch 11 v 18-19 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds."
Rev. Richard said "Listen to the news and you will hear that much of it is not news at all, but opinions."
Saying someone is nice is an opinion, an idle generalization to which not much thought was given. Once neatly labelled that can be the end of the amount of thought you give to that person.
Far better to let people be themselves and take real notice
of them, not rushing to opinions.