Sunday, 10 November 2024

THE DEFINITION OF A GOOD MAN

 

THE DEFINITION OF A GOOD MAN

With reference to man, the word “good” has many meanings. Some of them are: sincere, loyal, honest, noble, virtuous, right-minded, kind-hearted, helpful, sympathetic, gracious, charitable and virtuous.

The English poet-dramatist William Shakespeare (1564-1616) said in his play Hamlet: “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” This statement is about things, not men. The world is full of bad men and a lot of good men, too.

   Here is a famous definition about good men:

“A good man is someone who acts with integrity, compassion, and a sense of justice. He is guided by a strong moral compass and takes responsibility for his actions. He also considers the welfare of others and strives to make a positive difference in their lives.”

  If we go by the aforesaid definition, we shall not find many good men in the modern world which is infested with selfishness and immorality.

A Chinese proverb says: There are two perfectly good men; one dead, and the other unborn.

Greek philosopher Sophocles said: To be doing  good is man’s most glorious task.

The Scottish divine Thomas Chalmers 1780-1847 advises: Live for something. Do good,  and leave behind you a monument of virtue that the storms of time can never destroy. Write your name in kindness, love, and mercy on the hearts of thousands you come in contact with year by year, and you will never be forgotten. Your name and your deeds will shine as the stars of heaven.

Finally, this short opinion by the French author Francois de la Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) : “ Nothing is rarer than real goodness.”

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G.R.Kanwal

10th November 2024

 

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