Friday, August 19, 2011

Self Conquest

"A man's own character is the arbiter of his fortune." - SYRUS

An old Hindu proverb says, "There is nothing noble in being superior to some other man. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self".
Most of us are aware of this, and are foreever striving to improve ouselves, to correct our faults, control our habits, and make the most of our abilities.

But Self Descipline is not easy. Self Conquest, as every philosopher from Plato to William James has emphasized, is the greatest victory of all. "I have had more trouble with myself than with any other man I have ever met!" said David Moody, the famous evangelist.

The greatest test of a man's character is how he takes charge of his own life. No man need stay the way he is.The mold of a man's fortune, the shape of his life and destiny are in his own hands.

Hamlet is one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, as we all know; and Polonius' advice to Laertes one of the best quotations from it. The father's percepts to his son are so wise and penetrating that even when taken out from context of play, they stand by themselves, vital and complete. Sincerity is inherent in every line. There is almost a spiritual quality to those words.

This above all, to thine own self be true.


1 comment:

  1. Very True...

    I personally feel "Abhi to mein shayad samajhdaar hoon, par pichle saal mein thodi ullu thi, usse pichle saal usse thodi badi ullu thi aur usse bhi pichle saal zyada ullu thi and so on".... and you know what.... when next year I will think again, the said statement would remain intact :P

    Mona

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