A long life is not a sure sign of greatness. A short life full of activity and constructive work is better than a long unproductive life.
Ben Johnson has rightly said, “In short measures, life may be perfect.” He compares and contrasts a short-lived lily and an oak which lives for hundreds of years. A lily offers short-lived beauty for a day, with which it captivates the heart of the beholders. But an oak is ugly and wooden. Its large size and long life are poor substitutes for a lily’s beauty. A rainbow offers beauty for a short period. The same is the case with dew-drops, sunrise, etc. But they leave an indelible impression upon the heart, such that we realize, that ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’. Beauty is nine days wonder. But its impression upon the mind is everlasting.
Most of the great men of the world had short life. They were Swami Vivekananda and Guru Gobind Singh. The great poets like Byron, Shelley and Keats died in early life. Even Shakespeare and Alexander Pope did not lead very long life. But can humanity ever forget them? Many young men like Sardar Bhagat Singh, Sardar Udham Singh and others lost their lives when they were quite young. They gave up their lives for the sake of our country. A short life spent in the service of humanity is better than a long life spent in a self-centred corner.
Vocabulary
Captivates—allures
Wonder—surprise
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