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DISCOURSE 61
: 171
HOW IS A VIRTUOUS MAN VALUED IN THE PRESENTDAY SOCIETY ?
The way of thinking in society has become upset. How are people, who have a limited academic education but who possess great virtues, valued in society ? How are those who possess no virtues but who possess high academic qualifications, valued in society ? What kind of value is given to such people? If men of virtues are not valued in society, people would not care to acquire virtues. How much indifference is there in society towards virtues ! Everywhere we see only a fascination for materialistic prosperity. Is there anyone who thinks of reducing and discarding vices ? People do not think of virtues and vices when they make contacts with others..
If you want to live peacefully and felicitously, you must make a determination to acquire virtues; and free yourself from vices. There is no other way to attain peace and felicity. The happiness you get from materialistic prosperity is not real. A man may have extraordinary wealth; but if he is ignoble and wicked, he cannot attain either peace or mental fecility. He will only get sorrow and anguish.
AN ANCIENT STORY
This incident took place in ancient times. There was once a minister. He possessed intelligence as well as virtues. He was far-sighted and of a serene disposition. His wife was beautiful; but she was highly irritable. She used to slight even her husband. She was very obstinate and never budged an inch, in any matter. The minister used to tolerate all her undesirable behaviour with patience. In the beginning, he tried to persuade her to give up her ways : but she was obstinate and unyielding; and he gave up his attempts to change her.
All people do not get easily persuaded to change their ways. There are a few who change their ignoble ways when they are persuaded to do so; whereas some do not reform themselves even after they have had a bitter experience.
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