A life without values is considered useless, meaningless and baseless. Naturally, there has been analysis and discussion of the subject from time immemorial, and the foremost question that always emerged was: how do you define values?
Value, the word used originates from Valere of Latin; also from Valoir of the old French, which means the cost or worth. In its basic spirit this word most cogently reflects man’s quality and ability. In other words – a man’s perfection and core competence in life. Along with this, it clearly reveals the truth that a life based on values alone could be the best, honourable, just and exemplary.
Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher rightly said, “To live well, honourably and justly are one and the same thing.”
Values accord positive strength to man’s life; values get one to realise and identify one’s reality, and by developing one’s own virtues they enable all-round growth of mankind. Indeed, values give worth, glory and base line to life. No doubt the importance of values in leading a man to his true identity and reality, and develop virtues that he already possesses within and thereby making his life meaningful and successful on the path of truth, is what needs to be emphasised. A cryptic line from Mahatma Gandhi, “your values become your destiny”, says it best.
Getting familiar with values, deliberating on them, fine tuning them to present day needs, and approving them for implementation in routine living, is a welfare necessity for human growth. This is the reality – the truth, not only of the past, but also of the present and for all times to come.
Values are the soul of ethics. They are the central force in making deeds truthful. It is values that contribute to make acts real and excellent. Further, values are the means of nourishing morality – the fountainhead of justice and good governance at all levels, from individual to universal. If truth prevails in behaviour, the spirit of wellbeing and welfare of one and all remains intact, and acts are done justifiably and dutifully; the task is accomplished holistically for human unity.
Values being intrinsically connected with human nature and actions are, however, not beyond the reality of the eternal law of change. They are no exception to the rapidly changing temporal world. Truth – true acts for the large scale human welfare and unity – is the acid-test of values. Political thinker, Henry David Thoreau had verily said: “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me (the value of) truth.”
Working together with heart and soul for the well-being of one and all has always been central to human endeavours. The realisation, development and application of this thought process is much more needed today than ever before, especially as the whole world is rapidly converting into a global village, and regional and national concerns are fast becoming global concerns.
Institutions imparting education at all levels need to take values as their prime responsibility and work meticulously to incorporate them in their curriculum. It is only when they take this as their core duty that they will be able to truly help character building of students on the basis of values, the value of cooperation, coordination, collation and working together in peace and harmony.
