Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/519

 up any business at random or by chance. You should carefully think over the matter and consult friends competent to advise you. Do not be over-ambitious or aim beyond your reach. Immoderate wishes often end in disappointment causing depression or discontent. Select such a career as you may have a clear liking for. Select that career for which you are fitted or for which you may soon fit yourself. Having carefully made a selection, resolutely adhere to it. Concentrate all your attention on it so as to master its requirements. Master both the theory and practice of your business. Seek advice, guidance and assistance from those who have already succeeded in that business. Keep them in view as models to follow. Observe them, study them, and learn what qualities have made them successful. Avoid quarrelling with your superiors, subordinates or equals. Keep on good terms with all. Cultivate ability, diligence and the highest probity in the performance of your business. Be humble and respectful to those above you and unfailingly courteous to all others.

You must not overlook the difference between theory and practice. One who has learnt the theory of swimming from the best books may not be able to keep himself afloat even for a few minutes, while the practised swimmer can swim long with ease and pleasure. You well know how to write. Both your hands are equally your own. Yet, mark what a vast difference practice makes between the right hand and the left hand. You write easily with the right hand, you can scarcely write with the left. Consider this, and you will easily understand why the world values a practical workman much more than one simply theoretical. Therefore add practice to theory. If this be not done, the practical man will beat the merely theoretical one, and the latter must not complain.

Young men fresh from schools or colleges are generally theoretical men. They must strive to enhance their value by becoming practical also.

While you strive after increasing success, learn to be contented with what falls to your lot. Without contentment no man can be continuously happy. Do not postpone contentment to some distant future contingency or consummation which may not be reached. I do not mean to dilate on this well-worn topic. I just advert to it, only to remind you at the outset of your pursuit of happiness that the first three factors of happiness are, —Health, Competence and Contentment. Do not lose sight of these in the heat and tumult of the battle of life. They are happily attainable by most men,