Muhammad Afiq Arsyad bin Johar M11N

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Desire for power is inherent in man. The love of power comes from the consciousness of mans mental and moral superiority over other created beings. It is instinctive; therefore, that man as superior being must control and dominate others. Again the awareness that all men are not created equal gives birth to the desire to rule and dominate others who are weak; some are intelligent, others dull; some brave and daring, others shy and timid. In the same way there are those who are educated, others comparatively ignorant, some wealthy, others poor. The history of the world, so far as man is concerned, is a history of the struggle for power. Thus from the primitive wars of tribes and clans to the ruinous wars of today, there is only one idea behind these wars and that is the thirst for power.

Broadly speaking power is of two kinds, physical and mental. Physical power is of the lower order as compared to the power of the mind. Primitive men mainly understood one kind of power and that was of the body. In past the strength of the arms decided things and might alone was right. However, with the growth of civilization and the development of the human mind, the mental power came to be recognized as of a superior order. Mental power has its origin in knowledge. When man first appeared on the earth, he was no better than animals.

Antagonism creates a sense of insecurity and uncertainty. As with individuals so with nations. Indias neighbours Pakistan and China, have not only proved bad neighbours but a regular nuisance. The armed aggressions on our territory have damaged our economic and political stability. The peaceful

Muhammad Afiq Arsyad bin Johar M11N

activities of building up a nation are endangered. We have to build up our strength and power militarily to face the situation adequately and with confidence. The forms of social life are determined by mens nature, and only as their natures improve can the forms become better. The practicability of cooperation depends upon human character. If a man or for that purpose, a nation refuses to listen to reason then it becomes essential to talk, in the language which is understandable to it.

The atmosphere of mutual fear and distrust between the people and the nations must be removed. Live and let live, should be the guiding principle for communities and nations as for individuals. It is the practical philosophy of life to tolerate others, to retrain from interfering with others, and reconcile to the way of the others. Complete uniformity or total identification of thoughts and ideology is impossibility. Stubbornness and intolerance only creates unhappiness and an atmosphere of tension and bitterness. All the creative abilities of man can be better utilised, if good neighbourly feeling is created. Mutual adjustment based on broad minded attitude can create harmony and goodwill. It is the synthetic attitude of life which alone can make peaceful life possible. Hence, as charity begins at home, it becomes essential that we learn to live as good neighbours first, then value the sociable virtues of community, and finally as a nation. Mutual respect, non-interference in others internal affairs can lead to peaceful coexistence. Progress and prosperity and the advancement of mankind on the whole depend upon our realisation that we must learn to live together and live like human beings. Source: http://essaysandarticles.com/education-essays/knowledge-is-power/