Fly off to your virtuous world
One’s personality is essentially and eventually the sum total of his different traits - the positive and negative. In this manner, each person’s character is shaped and this manifests through his thinking, actions and approach, thereby also the ci...
By K VIJAYARAGHAVAN, |
One���s personality is essentially and eventually the sum total of his different traits ��� the positive and negative. In this manner, each person���s character is shaped and this manifests through his thinking, actions and approach, thereby also the circumstances and situations which attend on him. His destiny is thus ultimately fashioned. Character is thus the base from which everything issues forth. This is the concept of ���character ethic��� of Stephen Covey, which is fundamental to human happiness and fulfilment.
Cultivation of virtues, dear to heart, naturally also goes with shunning the opposites of these and to ���shrink from these as something more terrible than fire��� , in the manner conceived of by the great Tamil bard Valluvar (Kural, 202). Bhagawad Gita (6,5) also urges the seeker to uplift himself by his own self without permitting debasing influences to affect him.
The following exhortation in the Bible (Philippians: 4,8) is highly inspiring in this regard: ���Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things��� .
Stephen Covey also refers to Benjamin Franklin���s cultivation of his character. An analysis of Franklin���s autobiography and the thirteen virtues, which he assiduously cultivated, would reveal how such an approach is primarily directed towards one���s own benefit and not out of consideration for others or for reaping rewards in his next world. Religions and faiths therefore urge upon man to be righteous, virtuous, kind and good ��� the process which would ultimately ensure that he becomes the principal beneficiary.
As Franklin observes, ���vicious actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden, but forbidden because they are hurtful��� . He notes that it is, therefore, in everyone���s interest to be virtuous if he wished to be happy even in this world.
The sense of fulfilment attendant on virtue is summed up in Addison���s Cato, as quoted by Franklin: ���If there is a power above us/ (And that there is, all nature cries aloud/ Thro��� all her works), He must delight in virtue,/And that which he delights in must be happy��� .
As noted by Alexander Pope: ���Know then this truth (enough for men to know),/ Virtue alone is happiness below��� . Indeed, flying off to a virtuous world is also flying off to one���s own joyful and rewarding world too!
Cultivation of virtues, dear to heart, naturally also goes with shunning the opposites of these and to ���shrink from these as something more terrible than fire��� , in the manner conceived of by the great Tamil bard Valluvar (Kural, 202). Bhagawad Gita (6,5) also urges the seeker to uplift himself by his own self without permitting debasing influences to affect him.
The following exhortation in the Bible (Philippians: 4,8) is highly inspiring in this regard: ���Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things��� .
Stephen Covey also refers to Benjamin Franklin���s cultivation of his character. An analysis of Franklin���s autobiography and the thirteen virtues, which he assiduously cultivated, would reveal how such an approach is primarily directed towards one���s own benefit and not out of consideration for others or for reaping rewards in his next world. Religions and faiths therefore urge upon man to be righteous, virtuous, kind and good ��� the process which would ultimately ensure that he becomes the principal beneficiary.
As Franklin observes, ���vicious actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden, but forbidden because they are hurtful��� . He notes that it is, therefore, in everyone���s interest to be virtuous if he wished to be happy even in this world.
The sense of fulfilment attendant on virtue is summed up in Addison���s Cato, as quoted by Franklin: ���If there is a power above us/ (And that there is, all nature cries aloud/ Thro��� all her works), He must delight in virtue,/And that which he delights in must be happy��� .
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As noted by Alexander Pope: ���Know then this truth (enough for men to know),/ Virtue alone is happiness below��� . Indeed, flying off to a virtuous world is also flying off to one���s own joyful and rewarding world too!
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