The Secret of Success

farming is largely dependent upon one’s temperament. He feels that one who does not love birds and animals can never build himself up in this profession. So that quite apart from patience, diligence, the ability to do without holidays and a keen eye for profit, one must also remain kind, humane, and filled with compassion for living creatures. With this dimension added to the overall picture, it would be reasonable to say that he gives us a valuable formula, not only for material success, but also for useful, harmonious social living. Just as the successful poultry man must give his attention to the habits and requirements of his birds, so also must the social being take into account the inclinations and compulsions of others and show his willingness to make concessions to them in the interests of maintaining the happiness and tranquility of society. Success in life is not just a matter of keeping one’s nose to the grindstone and taking correct decisions about financial matters, but of understanding one’s fellow men and according to them the kindness and respect which one would wish to have oneself. The Secret of Harmonious Living A certain Muslim leader once wrote to the former Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, to complain of the prejudicial treatment of and injustice to the Muslim minority by the majority in India. He issued a warning that if this state of affairs was not remedied, his party would resort to satyagraha. In due course, he received a reply from Mrs. Gandhi, one sentence of which was of special significance: “No minority could survive if their neighbours of the majority were irritated.” (Hindustan Times, February 21, 1983)