Shri Ramakrishna Paramhans used to say: God laughs on two occasions. He laughs when he hears a physician say to a mother, “Don’t be afraid. I shall cure the boy”. God says to Himself, “I am planning to take the life of the child and this man thinks he can save it!”

He also laughs when he sees two brothers divide their land by means of a boundary line saying, “This side belongs to me and the other side to you.” He says to Himself, “The entire universe belongs only to me and they claim to own portions of it!”"

Respect Towards All is True Civility

The President, marching ahead of all on a horse, looked very dignified. Behind him were some ministerial colleagues, followed by bodyguards on their horses. This was no official procession, all had come out for a pleasant ride in the open.

On the way the president rode past a black man. The black man recognized the Head of the State. He took off his hat from his head and bowed down to pay respect. Seeing him, the president also removed his hat and bowed his head down to greet him.  The black man was overwhelmed with joy and with a very happy heart walked back home.

Some of the colleagues of the president did not like the way he took off his hat for a black slave. They could not say anything but felt that president's behaviour was undignified.

They all reached back home in the evening. At the dinner table one of the president's friends broached the topic of the morning incident. He said, "What was the need to bow down like you did to greet the black slave? He was an ordinary man and so had to display courtesy and humility. There was no need for you to act in the same way."

The president smiled and said, "Dear brother, agreed that a president is a very respected person, but does that mean he should be discourteous also? I am the president because it was felt by all that I am capable of handling the administrative tasks of the state. If we leave aside my post, and his dark skin, then we both are just ordinary human beings. Every human being must respect the other. Brothers, this is true civility. Achieving high posts and respect in society does not mean one must disrespect human values and duty. If I did not pay back the affection and  respect that person showed towards me, then it would have been an insult not to him but to humanity." The friends could not find words to reply to the president.

This great person was none other than President George Washington, the creator of America. Indeed true civility is to respect everyone without discriminating upon one's social status.