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DISCOURSE 42
259 this virtue of Mayanasundari? Would you admire Mayanasundari from this point of view ?
Let us suppose that you have the habit of condemning others and you cannot discard that habit. Yet do you at least believe that condemning others is an evil action ? If you be lieve in this truth, you will be able to admire the nobility of people who have discarded that evil propensity.
SILENCE IS NOT ALWAYS CONSENT
Suppose you are condemning somebody and that there is a noble and cultured man by your side who does not join you in that condemnation. He remains silent; he does not even give his silent consent. In such a case, what would you think of him ? What would you call such a man ?
From the Audience : We would call him an ignorant person and we would make fun of him.
Maharajashri : If so, it is to be understood that you do not consider it a sin to condemn others. You do not consider calumny as sinful. You are unable to see the greatness of the renunciation of condemnation in noble and cultured people. You are unable to admire and appreciate them.
From the Audience : The condemnation of those who condemn us goes on.
Maharajashri : Is it sore and hurtful ? At least, do you repent your action after condemning others ? At least, do you believe that it is wrong to condemn others ? If you believe in this principle, you will surely admire and appreciate those who have condemned the propensity of condemning others. As you keep praising such noble people, your evil habit of condemning others gets discarded step by step. You will lose your taste for calumniation and condemnation. That is why, I exhort you to admire noble and cultured people. Keep admiring and appreciating those virtues which are to be attained by you and keep admiring those that possess virtues. If you do so, you will surely acquire those virtues.
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