UPSC Mains 2015 · GS IV · Q2(a) · 10 marks · 150 words

Given are two quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. For each of these, bring out what it means to you in the present context : “The weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

हिन्दी में

नैतिक विचारकों/दार्शनिकों के दो अवतरण दिए गए हैं। प्रकाश डालिए कि इनमें से प्रत्येक के, वर्तमान संदर्भ में, आपके लिए क्या मायने हैं : “कमज़ोर कभी माफ नहीं कर सकते; क्षमाशीलता तो ताकतवर का ही सहज गुण है।”

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Given are two quotations of moral thinker/philosophers. For each of these, bring out what it means to you in the present context: (a) "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that".”

Manuj JindalAIR 53 · CSE 2016 · 143 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

The cure of every disease is an antidote that fights the bacteria or virus causing the disease. An antidote disables the biological function of such virus just as light fills the room & drives out the darkness. In the current context, this quote also means that antidote of hate is love. Love has ability to heal invisible wounds caused by hatred. Hatred causes bad speech, destruction, war, communalism & differences in society.

Body · continuous prose

None written.

Close

Love has the ability to provide an intangible feeling of security, trust, and a constructive spirit. For example: Mother Teresa considered compassion & empathy as the highest values of humanity. She called us to "draw the circles of our families wider & consider world as a family". Similarly, APJ Abdul Kalam called for inquisitive & spirited minds - "ignited mind" to fuel the light in society to drive out the darkness.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper IV, Q2(a). The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.