It is a well-known proverb, and if we followed it, it could
contribute much towards social welfare. Charity means the disposition to think
favourably of others and to help them. The proverb means you should 100k after
those nearest and dearest to you before you turn your attention to others
further afield. Almost every proverb is a wise saying because it crystallizes
human experiences of thousands of Years. We could do well to follow it, but
unfortunately very few people follow it. As regards this proverb, it is very
often found that a man is helpful to those who are not his family members, nor
are they his near and dear ones or relatives. He helps them in their distress; with
whatever sort of things they need-—
money, advice, or support. But he is very
much uncharitable with his near and dear ones, though it seems strange to us.
He is harsh with his family members, does not help any of his relative} who are
in distress, or in need of help. He behaves in this way perhaps from a motive
of becoming popular with people in society with a still ulterior motive of
being a leader someday. On the other hand, a' man who is quite opposite to the
type stated above is also not rare. Such a man is very charitable, that is
helpful, to the members of his family, and his relative, near and dear ones,
but is absolutely callous to people beyond them, those who are not his
relatives. Though it is natural to some extent, at least natural in comparison
with the type described above, it is not absolutely right, if we consider it in
the light of the proverb. The proverb
implies that charity (the attitude of
helpfulness) should begin at home, but should not remain confined there. It
should spread outward in an ever widening circle till it covers the whole
world. In this circle, the nearer a man the more charity he should receive and
sooner. The more distant one is from the charitable man, charity to him should
be later and less. So the charity of a man, who is capable enough, should reach
the limits of the earth.
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