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STRAY PEARLS
poison. Those leaders who themselves drink the cup of nectar, give poison to the public. And those leaders who drink poison themselves, bring nectar to the public, If Lord Shiva had not drunk poison, the gods would not have got nectar to drink.
Independence
Independence is a rare and unique thing. It keeps you happy even in the state of starvation. It stirs every fibre of your heart. The bird is safe in its cage. It has not to worry about its food. Yet it is sad and melancholy because it is not independent. It wants to fly free in the sky, even at the risk of remaining hungry and thirsty, or being killed at the hands of a hunter. When I see the people of India quarrelling over bread and butter, I feel as if bread and butter is all-important for them, and independence has no value. To live in independence, even in conditions of starvation is heroic, while feeding on luxuries in the chains of slavery is cowardly meanness.
Great or Good
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Which is more important-being great or being good? Some people say that they are great because they have great wealth. But the point to consider is whether your great wealth has made you good also. When wealth is used in the service of others, it acquires goodness. Some people say that they are great because they are intelligent and learned. Again, the point to consider is whether they are good also. When man's intelligence and learning are used in the service of humanity, they acquire goodness. Goodness is always better and higher than greatness. Therefore try
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