Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/521

 Now, it must be obvious to you that the more opinions differ, the more must the community be divided, and the weaker must it consequently be. It is hoped that as education advances, differences will diminish, and increasing approaches will be made to a fair unanimity. Let every educated man try to do his best to verify his facts; to see that his facts are complete, that his reasoning is sound; in short, to ensure correct judgment. Do not differ under the false idea that ready assent implies intellectual servility, or under the equally false idea, that dissent implies intellectual independence. When a considerable number of thoughtful and experienced men agree upon an opinion, be slow to differ from the same. Rather agree than differ. Do not differ merely to have an opportunity to speak, or to display your debating power. For the advantage of unanimity, be disposed to sacrifice minor differences. The more carefully you form your opinions, the greater the deference you pay to men of judgment and experience, the less will be the chances of disagreement and discord. Remember that a community advances in proportion as it follows the guidance of its best members.

If you have, after due inquiry and thought, reached a useful conviction, avow it without fear or favour. You will thus aid the progress and propagation of truth, so essential to public improvement. For example, if you are convinced that child- marriage is mischievous, say so without ambiguity or equivocation. If you believe Astrology to be a false science, avow it candidly. The same with respect to good and bad omens and other superstitions or errors. It is particularly desirable that you not only avow your convictions, but act upon them as far as possible.

Do not fear or hesitate to change your opinion if you have good reasons to change the same. We are all liable to form erroneous opinions. And as we advance in knowledge and experience, we discover error. To still hold to the former erroneous opinion would be pertinacity detrimental to the public weal. An undue love of consistency is often responsible for a great deal of obstruction to the progress of reform. The more educated men are, the more loyal are they to the sovereignty of reason, and the more readily do they cast off erroneous opinions and accept correct ones. Accordingly, some of the greatest men of the world, have been known to change opinions, when truth and reason required them to do so. A compromise, you know, is an amicable agreement between parties in controversy to settle their differences by mutual concessions, Controversies frequently arise,