________________ Discourses on Shrimad Rajchandra by Gandhiji 173 but I should also prevent others from indulging in them. It is my duty not to give money to my son. If I see him drinking wine, I should take away the glass from his hand. If I come to know that he keeps the bottles of wine in a particular case, it becomes my duty to destroy the case of wine. This kind of behaviour on my part is going to shock my son. He would consider me to be a cruel father. But a father who is conscious of his duty should not be afraid of the shock that he would inflict on his son. The father should not be afraid even if the son curses him. Compassion teaches me that it is my duty to snatch the bottle of wine from his hands. Even if I do not enforce my will on him, I should destroy the bottles of wine wherever he keeps them in the house. We may not hurt a person in our routine affairs. We should not goad or reprimand others for small things in the name of compassion. Raichandbhai taught us the best measure for compassion. If we understand this measure, then we would do things even though we may not understand them or their significance, but simply because those in my culture or society undertake them. Even if I do not understand why I should adopt khadi (handspun cotton). especially as I like fine muslin, I should adopt khadi because others in the society that I am a part of commonly wear khadi. There is nothing wrong in wearing khadi. Such an act on my part does not violate any norm. This is a simple truth that Raichandbhai has taught me. Once, when in Mumbai we were discussing compassion. We were considering whether we should use leather goods. We both finally concluded that we cannot do without leather goods. Farming where leather is used has to be continued as a matter of necessity. However, we must avoid the use of leather at least in one's headwear. I had been a little harsh right from the beginning.