Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/522

 compromises are therefore eminently useful. I would advise educated men to resort to compromises as often as fairly possible without sacrifice of principle. Do not lightly say "I hate compromises; I am an uncompromising fellow," In many cases there may be nothing wrong or derogatory in a compromise. It saves time, it saves money, it saves trouble and anxiety, and it saves temper. The greatest men have ended controversies by judicious compromises. Life is a long series of compromises. There can be no peace in private life without compromises. A government and a people cannot long get on peacefully without compromises. Governments settle mutual differences by compromises; otherwise, war would be very frequent. Compromises tend to unanimity of opinion, unity of action, and reconciliation of conflicting interests. A compromising spirit is all the more necessary in India where so many diverse races have to co-exist and to co-operate for the public good. Why, gentlemen, half a dozen Hindu, Muhammadan and Christian gentlemen cannot comfortably travel together in the same railway carriage with- out a great deal of compromising spirit!

Make these instrumental to the increase of knowledge and virtue. Learn from your betters, instruct your inferiors, as far as opportunities offer. Candidly but carefully distribute praise and blame, so that social opinion may become a living beneficial force. Do not be too ambitious of shining in company and conversation, for, then, you do not enjoy yourself and have to think too much of yourself to learn or to instruct.

You will be often called upon to accomplish given objects. Do not impetuously rush into action. First, get a clear conception of the object, what it is, and what it is not. Secondly, conceive the different alternative means to be taken. Carefully consider and select that which is most effective and most honourable. Conceive the several possible contingencies which may occur to disturb or defeat your endeavours. Think how their occurrence might be prevented. Think what should be done if any such contingency occur in spite of preventive precautions. Nothing, gentlemen, should take you by surprise. Nothing should find you unprepared. Act on the programme thus settled. Such a habit will maximise success and minimise failure. Avoid the mischievous error of supposing that our ancient forefathers were infinitely wiser than men of the present times. It cannot be true. Every year of an individual's life he acquires additional know-