Beyond Appearances: Wisdom, Action, and Human Worth
Truth and falsehood are found mixed together in the world.
Similarly, good and evil coexist in life.
Just as the swan separates milk from water, we must learn to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and good and evil.
"Pure gold is found mixed with earth. Its value increases only when it is melted and refined.
Likewise, good and bad are intertwined in this worldly life.
A person of true character does not accept anything blindly.
Instead, like separating chaff from grain using a winnowing fan of rationality, they remove the evils and refine only the good."
It is the weeds growing along with the paddy that cause harm to the rice field.
Similarly, it is the faults within us that hinder our prosperous life.
Just as the crop flourishes when weeds are removed, our life improves when we identify and remove our faults.
The prosperity of our nations rests in young hands.
The progress of those nations depends on the upliftment of the world.
We meet many people in our lives.
Some become close through continued association; others disappear after a single meeting, like passersby.
Many of us fail to properly gauge those who disappear like that.
Hey, do not pick a fight with me arguing, "No, we gauge everyone correctly!"
I specifically mentioned 'many of us', not 'everyone'!
To explain this, I would like to share a short post I read.
A scientist was traveling somewhere in his car.
In the middle of the journey, his car tyre got punctured.
It was a deserted street.
The scientist got out of the car, removed the four bolts from the punctured wheel, and when he got up to get the spare tyre, his foot stumbled, and all four bolts rolled into a nearby drain.
While he was wondering what to do, he saw a passerby coming that way.
Looking at the clothes he was wearing and his demeanor, the scientist decided that he was the right person to take out those four bolts that had fallen into the drain.
He told him what had happened and asked, "I will give you whatever money you want, will you take those bolts out for me?"
"I have no objection to taking them out.
But there is an easier way than that!" said the passerby.
Then, "Remove one bolt from each of the other three wheels and fasten this wheel. There is a mechanic shop nearby, go there and buy four bolts to replace them," he said.
"Just because the cover of a book is not beautiful, can we conclude that the ideas inside are useless?
The shells floating in the sea may be beautiful, but the priceless pearls lie in the depths."
Likewise, the intelligence and personality of humans are not revealed in their clothes or outward appearance; rather, they are revealed in their actions and thoughts.
The scientist was dizzy with astonishment.
He felt ashamed, thinking, 'Alas, I, a great scientist, did not know what this ordinary passerby knew.'
He apologized to him for gauging him based on his appearance.
The passerby smiled and continued his journey.
"Though small in stature, the linchpin of the chariot holds up the huge chariot itself."
As a saying goed, 'Do not despise someone based on their form.'
Knowledge is worthy of praise, regardless of who possesses it.
Sometimes, the practical experience of an ordinary person can provide a solution far more easily than a high position or extensive education.
The one who realizes that what they have learned is only a handful of sand compared to the vast earth is the true scholar.
One should never gauge a person's intelligence based on their appearance.
When I think that I too have made that mistake at times, I feel ashamed.
"Rationality begins by examining everything. Recognizing the virtues and talents in everyone, without ignoring others, is the hallmark of a civilized society.
Our younger generation must not become mere bookworms but should become intelligent enough to understand and act according to the environment.
Respecting a fellow human is the first step toward greatness."
The capable young society that thinks and walks the path of love must lead the world's progress.
That is possible for you.
With love,
Sakthi Sakthithasan
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