Life of idleness made the sword rust

THE EDITOR: There are thousands of people who have never traveled abroad to see the world. They should realise that “an idle life at home is not so good as a life of adventure abroad.” According to this maxim, a life of adventure is better than a life of idleness at home. Eating, drinking and sleeping cannot be the only activities of life. The birds and beasts also drink, eat and sleep. A man who spends his time in keeping himself alive cannot be said to be better than the lower animals. Man is the noblest object in creation. He is made in God’s image and is the favourite of the Creator. God has given man talents; power to think, to reason and judge so he must not allow these talents to remain idle within him. It is his duty to develop them, to use them for the betterment of the world and glorification of God.

A life of idleness will result in the decay of our powers. Mind and bodies develop by exercise. The sword shines in use otherwise it will rust slowly. Thus, by idleness, our gifts decay and gradually die. A life of adventure brings our faculties into play. We have to think, feel, judge and act. Thus, physically, intellectually, morally and spiritually we grow better and better daily. If we always stay at home, our experience will be small and our knowledge of the world limited. Travel and adventure broaden our experience, enlarge our hearts and sharpen our understanding. Travel is a part of education and adventures make travel interesting and instructive. One can safely say that “An idle life at home is not so good as a life of adventure abroad.”

AHAMAD KHAYYAM
Curepe