Duty First And Study Next
A famous French preacher named Bossuet was appointed as the Bishop by the King. He was a very learned person and would devote most of his time to studies. Due to his avid interest to study more, many people who wanted to consult him had to go home without meeting him.
One day, the King wanted to know the opinion of the people and asked them how they liked the newly-appointed Bishop. The King expected a very positive response from them, as the Bishop was very learned and
intelligent. But the reply of the people made him ponder the issue.
QUESTIONS
1. What was the reply of the people?
2. What is the implication of this story?
ANSWERS
1. The people replied, “We like him pretty well. But to tell you the truth, we would have preferred a Bishop who had finished his education, for whenever we called on him, we were told that he was at his studies.”
2. It is good to study to acquire knowledge, but not at the cost of others’ inconvenience. The Bishop had the laudable quality of studying, but as a Bishop, he should have devoted equally sufficient time for consultation to his people.
Be Shrewd And Intelligent
There was a young lady who had gotten into a trap of legal hassles and as a result, had to regularly visit the court. One day, she was called onto the witness stand and was asked her age by the prosecutor. “I don’t know,” she replied. The prosecutor said, “Now look here, Miss. This is the court of law and you have sworn to tell the truth.” “Yes, but you told me earlier that I must only tell what I know to be the truth and not hearsay,” retorted the young lady. “I did indeed!” thundered the prosecutor. “Well,” replied the young lady, “I cannot tell you my age because my mother told me the year I was born and that’s hearsay evidence,
isn’t it?”
QUESTIONS
1. What was the reaction of the judge?
2. What is the implication of this story?
ANSWERS
1. “The witness is excused from answering the questions,” ruled the judge suppressing a giggle.
2. Some people by nature are inclined to conceal their age. Nevertheless, the strategy adopted by the woman
in this story is quite appreciable.
Examine And Correct Your Faulty Life
People came from far and near to hear the sermons of a priest who was noted for his ability to make people change their lives. In one of his sermons, he said to the people, “What would you do if your automobile broke down? Examine it and correct it. What would you do if your television set became faulty? Examine it and correct it. What would people do when their lives become faulty?” The priest himself gave the answer.
QUESTIONS
1. What are the answers given by the priest?
2. What is the implication of this story?
ANSWERS
1. (a) When your automobile breaks down, you will examine and repair it.
(b) When your television set does not work, you will bring the mechanic and set it right.
(c) When your life becomes faulty, you will never examine and take
corrective measures to improve your life.
2. The implication of the story is that people are quite practical with their cars and televisions. Unfortunately, they are not practical when their lives get damaged in one way or the other. Telling them to examine and correct their lives may sound simple. Instead of examining their lives, people search for some mysterious formulas to solve all their problems. There is more health in eating one apple than in reading an entire book about apples.
Enjoy Yourself
Once, Alexander the Great was approached by a philosopher and asked, If you conquer Rome, what will you do next, Sir?
Alexander replied, Sicily is next door and will be easy to take.
And what after Sicily is taken?
Then, I will move over to Africa and sack Carthage.
“And after Carthage?” asked the philosopher.
“It will be the turn of Greece.”
“And what, may I ask you, will the fruit of all these conquests be?”
Then, Alexander said, I will sit down and enjoy myself.
To which the philosopher asked a question.
QUESTIONS
1. What was the philosopher’s question?
2. What is the implication of this story
?
ANSWERS
1. “Can you not enjoy yourself now?” asked the philosopher.
2. The poor think they will be happy if they become rich. The rich think they will be happy when they get rid of their ulcers. One should take time to smell the roses. Happiness is in the present moment. One should learn to enjoy the present.
Derive Happiness By Limiting Your Desires
In New Jersey, a bank teller helped an elderly woman with his financial advice, which made her gain a few million. Out of gratitude, the woman offered him a gift of $300,000, which he politely refused.
QUESTIONS
1. What made him refuse such a
fabulous gift?
2. What is the implication of this story?
ANSWERS
1. He said that he was paid for his services by the bank. He also said that he did not like that much money.
2. It is rare to find such persons in the modern world. The limitation of desires is the beginning of true happiness. It frees us from superficial worldly bliss and we begin to enjoy whatever we have. Contentment blossoms in the hearts of those who limit their wants and desires.
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