Upright people

The advice often given to youngsters is that they should not fall into bad company. For, the dangers of one associating himself with those who have no

values in life are manifold. Society, as a whole, benefits only from the presence of people of good conduct. If society does not treat the virtuous with respect, those who lack virtue and good conduct will gain the upper hand, with disastrous consequences

for the people.S. Paramasivam, while emphasising

the importance of treating upright people with respect, said Tamil works like Thirukkural lay stress on the importance of being virtuous. If a field is not tended and crops are not planted in it, soon weeds

take over.

Likewise, if we do not treat men of virtue with respect and drive them away from our midst,

the ones who take their place will be those whose lack of righteousness will bring the whole community down. But the complaint that most people have when they are asked to keep to the right path is that

this brings them in conflict with those who resort to unfair means of furthering their own interests.

 Nothing is achieved in life without patience or sacrifice.

A tree laden with fruits attracts the attention of passersby, some of whom may be unscrupulous

enough to throw stones at the tree to get at the fruits. In the same way, we face opposition

when we point out the errors of those who are powerful. But upright people will not fear power. Nor will they bow to pressure.

That is why we must emulate them. Their very presence adds strength to the moral fibre of

society. Their moral courage will encourage us to do what is right, rather than what is convenient.

Whatever be the difficulties they face, virtuous men do not give up their quest for justice. A piece of sandalwood may be cast in the rain and exposed to the sun. Yet it does not lose its fragrance.

Likewise, good men are not cowed down by threats. Nor are they swayed by selfish motives.

Society thus benefits from their counsel. Just as we seek the help of a doctor when we are ill, so

should we seek the advice of the virtuous when we are in distress.