Question and Answers

 What does the following quotation mean to you?

Condemn none. If you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If not, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.

This quote reflects tolerance, compassion, humility, and non-interference - qualities essential for civil servants.

"Condemn none":

·         Meaning: Do not judge or criticize others harshly.

·         Message: Everyone is on their own life journey. People may make choices we don't agree with, but that doesn’t mean they are wrong or deserve condemnation.

"If you can stretch out a helping hand, do so":

·         Meaning: If we are in a position to help someone—through support, guidance, or kindness—then we should do it.

·         Message: We have a moral duty to help others if we can, without expecting anything in return.

"If not, fold your hands, bless your brothers":

·         Meaning: If we are not able to help, we should not interfere or criticize. Instead, silently pray or hope for the best for them.

·         Message: Even when we can’t contribute directly, maintain goodwill and show respect.

"And let them go their own way":

·         Meaning: We allow others to follow their own path in life, even if it's different from ours.

·         Message: Every individual has the right to make choices. Let them live with dignity and freedom.

We may not always agree with people’s actions or be in a position to help everyone, but we should never respond with judgment or hostility. Respecting individual dignity and diversity of thought is key to ethical public service.

Hatred is destructive of a person's wisdom and conscience that can poison a nation's spirit. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer.

Yes, I agree with the view - Hatred is dangerous both to the individuals and the nation.

Hatred Destroys Personal Wisdom and Conscience

·         Wisdom involves calm reasoning, compassion, and ethical thinking.

·         Conscience is our inner sense of right and wrong.

When a person is filled with hatred, their ability to think clearly is clouded.

·         They become emotionally driven instead of rational.

·         They may justify immoral actions, such as violence or discrimination, in the name of revenge or superiority.

Example:

·         A civil servant driven by hatred toward a particular group may deny them welfare schemes, misusing power and violating constitutional values.

Hatred Can Poison a Nation’s Spirit

A nation’s spirit rests on unity, diversity, peace, and cooperation.

·         When hatred spreads—through casteism, communalism, or regionalism—it divides society, creates fear, and leads to unrest.

·         This weakens national integration, leads to riots, social injustice, and loss of economic and human potential.

Example:

·         Communal violence can set back years of development, cause deaths, and damage inter-community relationships—poisoning the collective national consciousness.

A civil servant must rise above personal biases and promote harmony. Hatred contradicts the values of impartiality, empathy, secularism, and constitutional morality. As responsible citizens - and especially civil servants - we must promote understanding, forgiveness, and inclusive growth to preserve the nation’s spirit.