Forgiveness Is the Best Revenge
FORGIVENESS IS THE BEST REVENGE
"An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" is the strategy that shoots across our minds when the fire of revenge burns within us. Honourable judges, respected teachers and my dear friends. Today as I stand here, I would like to deviate from this often treaded path and say that forgiveness is the best revenge that we can inflict on our worst enemy.
Forgiveness is that quality in a human being that separates him from the animals. It is often born out of the depths of hopelessness, sorrow, loss and pain. It is freeing up and putting to better use the energy that was once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wound. Forgiveness is about starting over, and not about getting even, which can lead to an endless round of attack and counter-attack.
The present world is plagued with wars, kidnappings, terrorism and riots. While I certainly agree that we must try to prevent and restrain people from committing acts of violence, I am wary of world leaders urging people to join the war on terror. Where have we reached finally? Nowhere, but a dead end.
When there are no other options available to escape our anguish and to find peace of mind, we reach a point where forgiveness is our only choice for there is no resolution without forgiveness. To preach forgiveness is a simple task but to practice forgiveness in real life is the essence of life. Only a person with extreme humbleness imbibed within and a feeling of compassion is able to practice forgiveness! "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong," said Mahatma Gandhi. Perhaps it was this realization that made Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the Mahatma and an irrepressible icon to be emulated by several world leaders like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King.
Violence begets violence. It cannot undo the harm caused. On the other hand, forgiveness can make the guilty realize their mistakes and perhaps transform them into
"An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" is the strategy that shoots across our minds when the fire of revenge burns within us. Honourable judges, respected teachers and my dear friends. Today as I stand here, I would like to deviate from this often treaded path and say that forgiveness is the best revenge that we can inflict on our worst enemy.
Forgiveness is that quality in a human being that separates him from the animals. It is often born out of the depths of hopelessness, sorrow, loss and pain. It is freeing up and putting to better use the energy that was once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wound. Forgiveness is about starting over, and not about getting even, which can lead to an endless round of attack and counter-attack.
The present world is plagued with wars, kidnappings, terrorism and riots. While I certainly agree that we must try to prevent and restrain people from committing acts of violence, I am wary of world leaders urging people to join the war on terror. Where have we reached finally? Nowhere, but a dead end.
When there are no other options available to escape our anguish and to find peace of mind, we reach a point where forgiveness is our only choice for there is no resolution without forgiveness. To preach forgiveness is a simple task but to practice forgiveness in real life is the essence of life. Only a person with extreme humbleness imbibed within and a feeling of compassion is able to practice forgiveness! "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong," said Mahatma Gandhi. Perhaps it was this realization that made Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the Mahatma and an irrepressible icon to be emulated by several world leaders like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King.
Violence begets violence. It cannot undo the harm caused. On the other hand, forgiveness can make the guilty realize their mistakes and perhaps transform them into