‘Trifles make perfection and perfection is no trifle.’
I was in the 8thstandard when I first read this quote, in my Moral Science book, I think. Yes, yes, I had Moral Science as a subject, surprised as you might be at that. Anyways, even after all these years this is actually the first thing that comes to my mind when I see or read the word quote. Somehow it has stuck with me. I don’t quite know why though. But, is it really a surprise that I chose this one to start my quote challenge with? No, right?
I often find myself trying to understand perceptions of people, and even of myself, keeping this very quote in mind. In fact, I frequently reflect on my work, my contributions to my family and areas I’m involved in keeping this as one of the basic tenets. You might think I’m crazy and maybe you are right! But that’s not the point, is it?
You would be surprised at the wisdom this quote encompasses in itself. With everyone telling you to do more, to try harder this quote tells you that your efforts, even if negligible or futile, weren’t useless. It tells you that every effort, however inconsequential, is worthy of being appreciated. Well, that’s just one of the connotations of this saying that I particularly identify with.
Remember the past week when the #SelfieWithDaughter was the talk of the town? Well, the reactions of people made me go back to this quote instantly. People need to understand that anything constructive is never really futile. Yes, even without the faintest of possibility of positive results. But I guess the enlightened choose to digress. Yes, I too forget this sometimes and join the bandwagon of cynics. I’m human and fallible after all.
I’m not saying that this particular trending twitter handle or any other twitter handle for that matter has solved the problem that women in India face, the female infanticide, dowry related deaths and so much more. Not at all. But why look at it with malice? Why not take part in it without thinking about any ulterior motives? What harm could it do? Tell me. Why not propagate a positive sentiment, even in an echelon you might think is immune to prejudice against women?
Well, I had posted a picture with my father and my sister but did that make me a showoff or a buffoon? Did I become shallow tweeting with this hashtag? I don’t think so. There will always be some bad apples, but you need to see beyond that. Unless you see the worth in positivity, you are most likely lost or you most probably haven’t heard of the quote I just shared. And if I’m still wrong then I have a question or two for you?
Why do you or I write or tweet on social issues? Why do you go and sign online petitions? Do you think we are affecting any change? I think apart from page views or re-tweets we are doing zilch, so does that mean we should stop? No. Digress by all means but why the bitterness? Some people actually believe that they can bring about change, even if by a fraction, why club them with those rotten apples?
You should not let yourself be stopped from taking the positive step because you think those rotten apples are in the majority. No, my dear. Don’t limit the potential of anything, however trifling, to a politician or a bunch of Neanderthals. I know I too am guilty of doing that at numerous occasions. We all have bad peripheral vision at most times, can’t help. Humans and fallible again, you see.
I wish just you and I recover from this bout of negativity. I’m not saying do it for someone else, do it for the changes you want to see. Do it because trifles, my dear, are not to be taken lightly. I’m not saying it is the only thing to be done or that one can wash responsibility with only such gestures but what does being venomous achieve? And do it because you cannot let those people who ruin every good act or gesture, no matter where it originates from, win.
Well, that was me blabbering on a Friday but I do hope it does something more than getting me page views. What? Well, I really don’t know. I have done my part, however trifling it might be.
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Thank you Chicky Kadambari for tagging me in this 3 day Quote Challenge and letting me combine a quote with something I really wanted to say! I do hope I’m able to post for three continuous days. Well, 1 down, 2 more to go! That’s always better than 3 more to go, what do you say? And yes, I’m not tagging anybody because everyone I know has already been tagged. But you can take it up if you want to. All you need to do is:
- Post one of your favorite quotes (different quote on each day) on three consecutive days. The quote can be from your favorite book, author, or your own.
- Nominate 3 bloggers to challenge them.
- Thank the blogger, who nominated you.
Well I had moral science in school too, but they did not teach us anything as remotely awesome as this quote. I loved it for so many reasons. As for as the hashtag fiasco I agree with you totally.Can something be wrong even if the only thing its doing is spread a little positivity, and probably may not affect change? Since when has spreading positivity become a bad thing?
I love that quote. And you know what my kids have Moral Science too. It is called Life Sciences now. 🙂 You already know my views on the Selfie issue. I have vented enough.
I love that quote. And you know what my kids have Moral Science too. It is called Life Sciences now. 🙂 You already know my views on the Selfie issue. I have vented enough.
I love that quote. And you know what my kids have Moral Science too. It is called Life Sciences now. 🙂 You already know my views on the Selfie issue. I have vented enough.
I think a lot of people believe that if they can't do something big, they don't need to bother doing anything at all – and that's not right! Imagine if instead, everyone did something, no matter how small – then it would all add up into something huge (and things would actually get done)! Thanks for sharing your thoughts – I appreciate your perspective.
I agree with you, Naba. It is important to look beyond the shallow and the superfluous and look at the good. Why make a hue and cry over something which is basically a positive idea? And raking up old images, old statements, they are all overdone. Sigh, I will still believe that people are capable of goodness and not get weighed down by the cynics. No way!
Loved the quote and I totally agree with you 🙂
Well Naba, your friday 'blabbering' as you call it made a lot of sense to me 🙂 I think there is way too much cynicism going around in the world. Way too much controversy, not enough positivity. I appreciate the sentiment behind this post of yours and agree completely! Every little bit helps. Provided we have a clean motivation and good intention behind our action. Incidentally, I too just posted some of my views on this #SelfiewithDaughter thing.
Oh I had Moral Science too but there were no quotes and I agree with you there on hashtags. I dint post a picture or read much about it but I knew it was a positive thing. Why make such a hue and cry over it.
lovely quote! I had Moral Science till class VIII as a subject too and I just loved those books:)
The quote is very profound. About selfie with daughter, I guess it works in the rural hinterland where the basic thought that a daughter is someone to be proud of is an alien concept. For us who know how this is just eye wash and will become a huge campaign signifying nothing while real change doesn't occur, it can only make us angry. This isn't negativity. It's being realistic. Take selfies if you want, who cares, it will make no difference and amounts to patriarchal fathers buying their daughters pink frocks to show their love for them but then happily hacking them to pieces later on if they dare to romance someone from a different caste. It is ridiculous that it got any publicity at all.
Oh. I agree every effort matters. The quote is a beautiful one, and one that I had not known before 🙂 As for selfie with daughter, I think it's an interesting initiative, but the reactions to a negative reaction for that hashtag were over the top for sure. Then again, I suppose no one really contemplates the reply before putting it on record at times.
Interesting quote that I never heard of: thanks for sharing Parul! 🙂 And 'moral science' as a subject sounds intriguing to me! 🙂 I wonder sometimes too as I often sign on-line petitions; however, I saw a documentary that made me believe that every change, no matter how small is indeed important and affects change. So I'm not stopping, at least for now, and hope others do the same! ) <3
I've liked your well reasoned post. Your positive approach teaches something to the cynics,who are out to criticize each and everything, just for the heck of it.
That's a really good quote and totally agree with your post.
I think being cynical about any such initiative is par for the course these days. It's like why write a blog post since it won't make a difference, why tweet since it won't make any difference blah blah. I think every step makes a difference for sure however small or big it maybe.