He goes on to say, ‘Carry this same attitude of polite restraint and gratitude to all aspects of life. There is no need to yearn, envy and grab. Each will get their rightful portion when it is your time.’ Profound words written some time in AD 100, which have resonance even today. A world in which ambition fuelled by greed, lack of empathy and learning have diluted values. A world consequently so bereft of satisfaction and happiness.
Imagine, like John Lennon would say, a world like this. What does one need to do to imbibe the qualities that the Greek philosopher exhorts? The family and the school need to impart in a child the tenet that the ‘real essence of good can only be found in things that are under your own control’. Hence, to look within, work hard and strive to achieve success.
You will realise that in everybody’s happiness lies your own happiness and cease to feel envious or drown in self-pity at the accomplishments of others. Such a world will be a happier world.
