7/29/2019 Paragraphs 4

1/1

PARAGRAPH-WRITING

906 sMAY 2002s THE COMPETITION MASTER

Model Paragraphs

Laws are not masters butservants, and he rules themwho obeys them.

H.W. BeecherLaws are used to ensure political

stability, economic progress andmaterial prosperity for all. In an idealState, no one is supposed to be abovelaw. However, it is a seriousmisconception on the part of some tobelieve that laws are supreme and

human beings their subordinates. Infact, it is the man who formulates andframes the parameters of laws andrules them by consciously andconscientiously obeying them. Heproves to be the most just and fairruler, who goes by the rule book andsubordinates his own and those of hiskith and kins interests under theimpartial and non-partisanimplementation of laws, without fear

or favour. The one who fails to obeylaws in their letter and spirit, neverbecomes a good ruler, nor a delivererof justice. If laws are not mansmasters, they are equally not hisslaves either, to be whipped andwaylaid at the command of hispersonal whims and warped wisdom.Rule of law means obedience,observance and operation of laws inan atmosphere of transparency andtruthfulness.

Between craft and credulity,the voice of reason isstifled.

Edmund BurkeCraft and credulity are the two

extremes of human perceptions andpractices which crush the voice ofreason and render life a perpetualpiece of ridicule and ribaldry. In anage where science and scientific

temper enjoy the pride of place inmatters both personal and social,unbridled credulity is an abjectaberration, that brings nothing butmental torture in its train. Equallyvicious is the tendency on the part ofsome to use craft to befool others and,thus, rule the roost at the cost of thosewho are taken in by sweet tongues.Manipulation and employment ofcunning methods is as condemnable

as an ever-readiness to believe inthings unconvincing and irrational.When craft and credulity become themodus operandi of some persons, thevoice of reason gets stifled. For thosewho are obsessed to use cunningnessas a way of life, on the one hand, andblind faith, on the other, any talk ofreason is like casting pearls before aswine. It is a waste of breath toconvince those who are fed onsuperstitions and unfounded beliefs.

Nothing is impossible to awilling heart.

John HeywoodDeliberation, determination and

finally diving into the deep waters oflife is not a childs play. But for theone whose instincts, impulses andintellect are in tune with his/herconcepts, nothing is impossible toachieve. No chagrin or challenge is

big enough to thwart a heart fromtaking the bull by the horns andsubduing it to such an extent that thedifficulty becomes a bed of roses.None can mould an unwilling heart tochisel the stone and make a statue outof it that is a master piece. Ifmountains have been shaken, riverstamed and all inimical and hostileforces chastened, it is due to the risksthat willing hearts of pioneers, path-breakers and adventurers had taken

in the past. The history of human raceis replete with such men and womenwho embraced death with a smile ontheir faces, and exultation in theirhearts, for goals sublime and supremein this existential world.

Conscience and reputationare two things. Conscience isdue to yourself andreputation to your

neighbour.

St AugustineConscience is both a precious as

well as a personal possession, the likeof which does not exist in the entirehuman psyche. Unless the neighbouris impressed, rightly or wrongly, anindividual does not stand muchchance to be applauded or evenpraised to the skies. Since one enjoyscomplete control over ones

conscience, there is very little thatothers can do to smother or smear it.The custodian of his conscience, andthe upholder of high moral values inthe face of stiff resistance or titillatingtemptations, a person with convictionand commitment can sail safe throughthe journey of life with hisunwavering loyalty to his conscience.On the other side of the fence, aperson whose vanity is fed and bredon the charity of others, is seldom

sure, both of his reputation as well asof his. If conscience keeps us on theright track, reputation turns many ahead and, thus, renders the reputed orthe known fellow a puppet in thehands of those who shower deservedor ill-deserved praises on him.A man with a clear conscience walkswith confidence and compassion,whereas the one with borrowedreputation, wobbles about here andthere.