Nothing great or valuable is possible in this world
within a short space of time. All such things must be accomplished gradually.
No one can reach the summit of a mountain by a single leap. The climbing must
be done slowly and cautiously and considerable effort is required to reach the
top. A building cannot rise suddenly from its foundation to roof. It must be
constructed step by step: first the foundation, then the plinth. Then the walls
and finally the roof. The city of Rome with its magnificent buildings, public
parks and squares and its extensive empire, embracing almost the whole world,
was not the work of a single day. Rome was at first only a small village having
only a few mean huts. Long years of patient toil on the part of the people,
their perseverance and strong determination made Rome the greatest power in the
world and helped her to attain the height of glory and prosperity. It was not
the work of days or months but years might be.
That is true of everything great in this world. One
cannot expect to be successful’ in any great undertaking in the course of a few
days. In Order to accomplish any difficult task certain qualities are essential
In the first place a clear cut plan an-need at after due and mature
deliberation is necessary Seconds there must be an earnestness about the work
undertaken and lastly patient perseverance is needed to carry the work through Over
and above these essential qualities, time and steady application and industry
are also indispensable Armed with these qualities an man can hope to achieve
success in any enterprise however great and difficult it might be.
Without the qualities mentioned above, however, it
is r possible to accomplish any great object or to come out successful E any
difficult undertaking. If a person sets about anything without definite and
carefully considered plan, ten to one he will have to t: back after having preceded
a little way and so much lobar a time will be wasted. He will meet with
difficulties which he never contemplated and he will have no other alternative
but to begin, afresh. Haste and impatience also s MD in the way of success.
These two things make diligence, perseverance and
close attention impossible and, without these, there can be no hope of success.
Moreover, one who does not possess patience is not capable of sustained effort
and very soon, long before half the work is completed. One’s efforts begin to
lose their intensity and one gives up the task in disgust. Want of perseverance
is another obstacle in the path of success. In every great undertaking one is
sure to meet with failure for the path of success is not strewn with roses. One
should not lose heart at these failures, but proceed in one’s work steadily and
perseveringly. But one who is not endowed with this quality of perseverance
will receive a setback as soon as failures overtake. One will lose all energy
and give up one’s task in despair.
The truth of the proverb “Rome was not built in a
day” is amply illustrated in the history of the English people. Their early
accounts show. That they were a race of rude savages. By dint of patience and
perseverance, they slowly acquired civilization and began to extend their
possessions bit by bit. They came to Subcontinent as petty traders and, by
virtue of their qualities, gradually established their sway over the whole of
such a large area as Subcontinent. In the same slow manner their dominions
extended till at last at the present day we find that the “sun never sets on
the British Empire -- so extensive are her possessions. This achievement of the
English people was only possible because they’ were a diligent and a years, and
was only possible because they were a diligent and a persevering race. ‘The
Chinese philosopher. Font-size. Who had given up his literary pursuits in impatience?
Was inspired with patience on seeing a woman rubbing a small bar of iron on a
piece of stone with the object t making a knitting needle out of it. The lesson
taught by the woman was deeply impressed upon him and by virtue of his patience
he rose to be one of the greatest men in China.
The proverb “Rome was not built in a day” teaches
us that it is foolish to expect to achieve anything great in a single day. We must
allow time for the accomplishment of a great object and must have patience and
perseverance to see it through the proverb is an -eye-opener and a source of
encouragement to us. If for the building of the vast. Roman Empire it was
necessary to spend vast energy’ and enormous time, then it is no wonder that
proportionate energy and time will have to be spent for all great things. The
example of Rome should fill us with vigour and energy even though we meet with
failures, and should take us onward till we succeed in achieving the great
object which is our goal.