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  3. Bad by Name; Bad by Nature?

Bad by Name; Bad by Nature?

Shri Joseph Mattappally

  • Life’s Lessons / 99
  • 30-11-2022
  • 03 Min Read
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Bad by Name; Bad by Nature?
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In his book, ‘Long Walk To Freedom’, Nelson Mandela elaborates a touching incident from his life. At that time he was prisoned in Robben Island, where he had a very brutal officer, by name Badenhorst. A few days before Badenhorst's departure, Mandela was called to the main office. General Steyn was visiting the island and he wanted to know if prisoners had any complaints. Badenhorst was there as Mandela went through a list of demands and complaints. When he had finished, Badenhorst spoke to him directly. He told Mandela that he would be leaving the island and added: “I just want to wish you people good luck”. Manadela became dumbfounded as he heard these kind words. He was amazed and says that his words resembled that of a passionate human being. Mandela soon realised that this officer had a different side of himself which they had never seen before. Mandela concludes the story saying that this incident could tell him that all men, even the most seemingly cold-blooded, have a core of decency and that, if their hearts are touched, they are capable of changing. Mandela says that he behaved like a brute because he was rewarded for brutish behaviour.

When we love somebody, we usually forget all those bad factors in the other and when we hate somebody we ignore all that are good in the other. That is how we usually express our personality. Mandela reminds us that every human being has two sides and every act one does is justified by his/her consciousness be it integrated or disintegrated. The main point in his sharing is not still that. He says that there is a password to open that passionate side of any human being. What to do? The world has become scared of passwords and enter tabs. They read what that appears on the screen. Our attempt to squeeze through we forget all the morals, most naturally only to fall prey to greater troubles in life. The best way out is looking at the possible finer side of the other and for all, always playing the finer side

 Shri Joseph Mattappally
Shri Joseph Mattappally

Founder of Indian Thoughts

info@indianthoughts.in

These are short powerful messages from Shri Joseph Mattappally, Founder Director of Indian Thoughts. He is a corporate mentor, writer and Yoga teacher.

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