[Model Answer QP2023 GS4 ETHICS] Do not hate anybody because the hatred that comes out from you must, in the long run, come back to you. If you love, that love will come back to you, completing the circle.” -Swami Vivekananda.
This quote touches upon the principle of karma, a spiritual concept that suggests every action has a corresponding reaction, often mirrored back to the originator. The idea that our actions, feelings, or intentions, whether positive or negative, will eventually come back to us is deeply rooted in various philosophical, spiritual, and religious teachings.
The quote encapsulates the universal law of reciprocity. When you project negative emotions or actions onto others, you create a negative environment that eventually affects you as well. Conversely, positive actions or feelings can bring about positive outcomes in your life.
Cyclical Nature of Emotions: Emotions and intentions are cyclical. Just as water evaporates from the Earth and returns as rain, emotions projected into the world have a way of coming back.
Inner Peace and External Harmony: Holding onto negative emotions like hatred disrupts inner peace. Over time, this internal discord can manifest in our external environments, further perpetuating negative cycles. On the other hand, fostering love and positive emotions not only promotes inner peace but also fosters harmonious relationships in our external worlds.
Long-Term Impacts: The words “in the long run” emphasize that the repercussions of our feelings or actions might not be immediate but can have lasting impacts over time.
Real-Life Application
Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison because of his efforts to end apartheid in South Africa. During this time, he could have easily cultivated feelings of hatred and vengeance against those who oppressed him and his people. After being released in 1990, Mandela chose the path of reconciliation rather than retribution. He recognized that fostering hatred would only perpetuate a cycle of violence and division. Instead, he focused on uniting a divided country and fostering mutual understanding between its racially segregated populations.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established under his leadership, allowed victims and perpetrators to come forward and confront past crimes, emphasizing forgiveness and understanding over punishment. South Africa underwent a relatively peaceful transition from apartheid to a democratic society.
