LIVE
AND LET LIVE
The simple meaning of this phrase is that you should accept
other people’s opinions and behavior even though they are different from your
own. It also means accept things as they are and not try to change them.
According to the American inspirational
author Orison Swett Marden (1848-1924) :
Live and let live is not enough; live and help live is not too much. Using the
word ‘live’ literally, he says : There
appears to exist a greater desire to live long than to live well! Measure by
man’s desires, he cannot live long enough; measure by his good deeds; and he
has not lived long enough; measure by his evil deeds, and he has lived too
long.
The British Philosopher Bertrand
Russell (1872-1970) who was a great
campaigner for peace says in his essay on Philosophy And Politics : The liberal
creed, in practice, is one of toleration and freedom so far as public order
permits, of moderation and absence of fanaticism in political programmes. He
adds that even democracy, when it becomes fanatical, as it did among Rousseau’s
disciples in the French Revolution (1789), ceases to be liberal; indeed, a
fanatical belief in democracy makes democratic institutions impossible, as
appeared in England under Cromwell (1599-1658) and in France under Robespierre
(1758-1794).
Russell believes that the genuine
liberal does no say “this is true,” he says “I am inclined to think that under
present circumstances this opinion is probably the best.” And it is only in
this limited and undogmatic sense that he will advocate democracy.
Finally, this short but significant
quote: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough,”
********
G.R.Kanwal
3rd August 2024
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