Living in society, you have to understand the interaction between the individual and society. It is a continuous process of give and take. The individual contributes to society and derives benefits from the society. This interaction may be understood from an episode from the life of Einstein, the great scientist.
In the ward in which Einstein was living, there was a girl who was weak in mathematics and was
repeatedly failing in that subject. A friend suggested to her that if she went to Einstein, the
greatest living mathematician, he would help her to learn the subject well.
The girl approached
Einstein and he readily agreed to give her tuition everyday. The girl was immensely grateful and
gained confidence from Einstein's offer.
The girl's mother, who had observed her daughter going
to the great mathematician for tuition everyday, felt that the little girl was wasting Einstein's time
by asking him to teach her elementary mathematics. She went one day to Einstein and apologised
to him for her daughter's intrusion on his valuable time.
Einstein told her: "Do not think I am just
teaching mathematics to her. I am learning as many things from her as I am teaching her."
Einstein was conscious that people who might excel in some subject might be lacking in general
knowledge or common sense and knowledge of worldly matters. Even though he was a great
scientist, he did not disdain to learn quite a few things from a young school girl.
This readiness to
learn from any person or source is the real mark of greatness.
Einstein attached great importance to the kind of associates with whom one moved. He used to
say: "Tell me what company you keep and I shall tell you what you are." If you associate with
good people you become good; if you move with wicked persons you become bad.
(From the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)
(From the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)
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