Self-esteem

Sthaanam utsrujya gachchanti
Simhaaha satpurusha gajaaha |

Tatra eva nidhanam yaanti
Kaakaha kapurusha mrugaaha ||

The lions, elephants and the virtuous people having high self-esteem quit from their positions once their esteem is hurt. But they do not sacrifice their self-esteem. Where as, the crows, cats and the vicious people without self-esteem never quit from their positions and attain death being in the same positions. They don’t safeguard their esteem.

This subhaashita is about self-esteem. Unless a person has a high self-esteem, he cannot be self confident. Both go hand in hand. The poet says that the virtuous people have high self-esteem and on no occasion will sacrifice it, even if it means quitting from their positions.

I think this is a quality of able administrators. It’s very hard to find such people today, especially in the administrative circles.

There is no dearth of the second category. Our politicians are the best example.

Also the bureaucrats by default fall into this category. No matter what inquiry is going on against them they never quit. In fact even if suspended they come back with greater vigour!!!.