The statement above is paradoxical. How can a wise man regard himself as a fool? But on closer examination, this contradiction will be seen to resolve itself. It is sheer arrogance and the height of pedantry for a man to think that he has grasped the entire wisdom of the world. The extent of knowledge […]

The fruits of labour means the reward of one’s own exertions and endeavours, while the gifts of fortune implies inherited wealth, a legacy or a lottery prize. It is a psychological fact that the fruits of labour afford much greater delight to a man than the gifts of fortune.There is a keen pleasure in honest

The victories of peace are gained over the forces of nature, over ignorance and superstitions, over illiteracy and immorality, over disease and physical suffering, over poverty and governmental oppressions. The conquest of peace is non-violent and bloodless. It causes no grief to humanity and does not damage life or property. However, no matter how glorious

The proverb quoted above is intended to impress upon our minds the desirability of catching time by the forelock. A blacksmith strikes the iron when it is red-hot for then it is soft and he can mould it into whatever shape he likes. But if by negligence or carelessness he allows it to cool, no

At first the statement that the ‘child is the father of man’ seems paradoxical and ambiguous. But Wordsworth while making this statement meant that the qualities exhibited by a child will deepen and appear in a marked form when the child grows up into a man. By observing and studying the behaviour, the inclinations, the

Much before medical science discovered it, Readers Digest came out with the prescription-laughter is the best medicine. Newspapers and magazines which regularly run humour columns are, therefore, doing their bit to keep the readers in good health. Reading light articles, whether they be satirical, comic or just humorous, relieves the tedium of work-a-day world. Some

This famous quotation from the German poet and philosopher Goethe, contains a valuable idea. Life is not just a reverie, a dream. It is much more than that. It is action, endeavour for great and heroic deeds. Without energetic action, life would stagnate. Without great deeds, life would become static and would lose much of

The same idea as this adage is echoed in the vernacular proverb which says that empty vessels make the most noise. Knowledge is desirable and should be attained at any cost, but a little knowledge though certainly better than no knowledge, has the dangerous tendency of turning the head of its owner. It is not

Early to bed and early to rise is a good habit. Early to rise has many advantages. In the early morning, our mind is fresh and the environment is clear. There are less distractions and noise. So one can concentrate well on studies and can perform more work. A good amount of work can be

Punctuality refers to appropriate utilization of time at the right moment instead of repenting later. A common phrase which signifies the value of time is ‘a stitch in time sames nine.’ One who often delays his work, suffers. The sense of punctuality must be inculcated since the childhood.Being punctual at public gatherings proves to be

Everybody knows God is Almighty. He doesn’t count on man’s service. He only expect His children to stay together happily. Hence, the best way to serve God is to live and let other live. Let us share our good luck with less fortunate brethren. This is what the Bible, the Quran and the Gita teach

‘Man does not live on bread alone’ is quite right but it is hundred per cent true proverb. To eat, drink and be merry is not the complete meaning of life. We do not live to eat; instead, we eat and rise and discover new things. Man is not just a body. He has a

I wonder how old can be termed as gold in every case. Old wine and old rice no doubt become richer with the passing of years. Old sayings are the gems of wisdom. Old values hold good in every age. But what about old buildings and old faces? It is just impossible to admire a

Wisdom consists in planned action. Nothing should be done in haste. A little carelessness of judgment can prove deadly or fatal. Progress is achieved in slow measures. Nothing great can be achieved overnight. There is no magic care to any disease and no short-cut route to success. Take the example of the Roman Empire. Rome

Honesty provides us with a sound character. It is an old saying that honesty pays in the long run. It is a noble virtue. It is in demand everywhere but it is always in short supply. The world is full of dishonest shopkeepers, corrupt policemen and selfish friends. They seem to prosper themselves by carrying